Your Project Management Career Opportunities

Thinking of a project management career......

......or perhaps you were recently “volunteered” to be a Project Manager......

Either way, the information on this page can provide the background to enable you to make the decisions in front of you.

My objective is to provide enough information (and one or two recommendations) so you are able to consider your options and make the decisions that will best develop into PM career opportunities.

All of these areas will be covered in detail, on subsequent pages.

Project Management Career Training

There are perhaps thousands of various educational organizations wanting to sell you their project management courses.

These organizations include:

• Traditional universities and colleges, like Villanova University and Boston College
• Non-traditional institutions like University of Phoenix and Kaplan
• Training offered online and in classrooms through companies such as GreyCampus, Learning Tree, and Global Knowledge (for-profit educational organizations)
• Even the two worldwide project management associations - Project Management Institute (PMI) and the International Project Management Association (IPMA).

If you have decided to further your Project Management Career and  take project management courses to eventually earn your project management certificate through either PMI or IPMA (more on them below), I suggest going to an organization that offers online courses.  Perhaps even an organization that will provide a post-graduate certificates in a specific project management discipline.

You can work at your own pace, in your office, home, or when traveling, and the cost is very reasonable, from (USD) $1000 to $2000 per course. After several months of research, I went through Villanova University and took their Masters Certificate in Applied Project Management courses, which ended with a one month exam prep class for PMI’s PMP certification. I followed that three-years later by taking Villanova's Advanced Strategic Project Management Master's Certificate.

Project Management Governing Bodies

There are two major project management professional associations worldwide – the Project Management Institute (PMI) and the International Project Management Association (IPMA). Both offer their own networking opportunities, resources, publications, and certification, with no collaboration between the two organizations.

Although I am a member of both, I highly recommend membership in at least one of these organizations (I recommend you join the one with whom you decide to certify). Both also have a good international presence.

Remember - Join before you apply for certification, because....

Both organizations offer a substantial discount on the cost of PM certification to existing members.

Your Project Management Career & Professional Certifications

Both Project Management organizations have a worldwide presence and both offer several levels of certification.

All project management certifications are based on experience (years of experience and project experience) and competency testing (in the case of PMI) or peer reviews and testing (in the case of IPMA).

PMI:

The Project Management Institute is a global organization with chapters in many countries and regions. Membership is 2-3x the cost of the ASAPM membership due to a fee charged for membership in SIGs (Special Interest Groups) and in local chapters.

PMP Certification currently costs (USD) $450.00, and has a 3 year term. I highly recommend an exam preparation course - there are hundreds out there - make sure it is through a reputable source (an accredited college or university, or an established training company). During your 3 years of certification, you will have a continuing education requirement that must be satisfied before certification renewal.

IPMA:

As the International association, IPMA’s North American member organization is the American Society for the Advancement of Project Management (ASAPM). Membership in and certification through ASAPM gives automatic membership in the international association IPMA.

Project Manager Certification (aCPP.C™) is currently (USD) $975.00, and has a 5 year term. It is a test and a detailed peer review. I also recommend an exam prep course. Re-certification requires demonstration of “…continued involvement in project and program management”.

Please remember - All of this information may change at any time and without notice, depending on the policies and directives of these organizations. 

I will make every effort to keep this page updated.  However, if you are interested in a particular topic on this page please click here to send a request for additional information, or contact the organization directly.

Project Management Career Opportunities

Although I will go into more detail on a following page, project management career opportunities are rich and varied.

Examples of PM career opportunities include:

• In-house project management for product delivery
• Independent, contract-based project management career (perhaps by consulting through your own company entity)
• Advancement into Program Management and project management office (PMO) setup and management
• Exploring a project management career in new industry sectors – healthcare, construction, environmental cleanup, etc. It’s not just a technology focused career by any means.

Define Project Management

Define Project Management – If you manage a project, are you a Project Manager?

Project Leader vs Manager – Project Management Leadership

Leader vs Manager – As Project Manager are you a Leader or a Manager? What are your leadership qualities?

Project Management Body of Knowledge

Apply the Project Management Body of Knowledge for consistent project success!

Return to the Mastering Project Management Home Page