Unsure of How to Get Your PM Career Started?

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Written By: Jennifer Glatz, P.Eng., PMP

September 25, 2019

 

Are you seeking a career in project management but are unsure of where to start?

The first step in your project management journey should be to enhance your fundamental knowledge in project management principles. This is essential in order for you to become a well-rounded PM, to develop your technical skills, and to be able to speak the language of the industry.

If you’ve already picked up a copy of the Project Management Institute (PMI®) Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBoK®) Version 6 – congrats! You’re on the right track.

The next step is to figure out what project management certification would be the right fit. Obtaining a certification gives you credibility in the marketplace and can help set you apart from other applicants. The options for certifications offered by PMI® include:

  • Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)®
  • Project Management Professional (PMP)®
  • Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP)®
  • PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)®
  • PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)®
  • Program Management Professional (PgMP)®
  • PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP)®
  • PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP)®

Once you’ve figured out the right fit, the next step is to pursue the required training hours outlined in the prerequisites. For example, to obtain your PMP® you need 35 hours of project management education or have a CAPM® certification. There are some different options: you could either do a course online at your leisure or you could do classroom style training with a group. I highly encourage you to find a solution that works best for your learning style. If you decide to go the classroom style route, find an instructor that you connect with – someone with a sense of humour that’s willing to go the extra mile to really help you prepare for the exam.

Now that you’ve got that certification under your belt, the next step is to learn how to apply what you’ve learned in a practical way to your industry, role, and projects.

 

The opinions expressed in this article are that of the author. It is not intended to be an endorsement of the Project Management Institute nor has any remuneration been received.