Has anyone studied a management course and became a project manager?

I'd like to change my career path and I think one good option is to change to Project Management. The problem is that I need to understand the path that leads there. That's why I need some help.

Reply 1

studos

what career you have so far?
why you chose project manager to be your next step?
project management in which sector?
do you know how much project managers earn?

Reply 2

Elysium82

Original post by studos

what career you have so far?
why you chose project manager to be your next step?
project management in which sector?
do you know how much project managers earn?

Hey Studos

Thanks for the reply.

Answer 1: I have gained experience in Customer Service and Teaching. I also have a Ba in English Language Studies and I speak 3 languages (Hungarian, English and Spanish....Spanish is only at B2 max though).

Answer 2: I have been reading the website of reed.co.uk and that role is one that really fascinates me. I would like to be working with people on big projects. That's my main reason. Obviously, I would start as a project administrator and study management on Master's degree level.

Answer 3: I cant give you an answer to that....I dont even know which sectors I'd like to work in or in which sectors they truly need project managers. I would like to work for an international company that is expanding abroad. That way I could use my language knowledge too.

Answer 4: I have a vague idea....again...from the reed.co.uk website and from some ads.

Do you think I should reconsider?

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 3

studos

I am mostly aware of technical projects, where you need to also have some technical background to be a project manager, sorry I cannot comment about your field

Reply 4

Baldness

He has no hope in hell at the moment.

He sounds like he has barely had any work experience and project management is the preserve of experienced professionals in specific fields that require specific knowledge of the sector the job is in.

It is a management role and requires management skills and experience that you simply cant just study although most project managers do study specific project management methodologies as part of their professional working lives before taking on or whilst doing project management roles.

If you just do an MBA too early in your career or straight after a bachelors degree you are not going to impress anyone that's interested in employing MBAs for meaty roles or project managers. You can work in Management Consulting with little work experience but usually only if you are of a certain young age and taken on as a trainee but competition for those roles is tough Your language skills may help there though.

I would encourage people to become specialists and then project managers not try to become project administrators as a route into project management.

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 5

shirleyd286

You need to do Prince2 or APMP (of which I am qualified in). But most of all you need practical experience in the workplace, as mentioned start off as a Project Administrator

Shirl

Reply 6

Jeff Dee

I understand the difficulty of changing careers, having done so at 40. i prepped up by taking a couple of major courses , and some less prominant, but potentially useful. i fell on my feet, as the organisation was looking, urgently, to fill a 'HR post, but also needed someone with an understanding of Health and Safet - I got the job(s) and went on to diversify significantly within that org. What I would say, is that if you can pick a course or two, which are generally relevant , then they may well exactly, or closely, fit what a prospective employer is looking for. Also, do your homework , and talk to otheres in that field ( or organisation), to assess the relevance of courses, and also the culture/ vision, and current/future organisational or strategic 'directions of travel.'Nothing ventured nothing gained, so Id suggest (as the time is going to pass anyway) build up your resume,with some of these courses, and tailer then your cv to match employers needs. Then go for it - Fortune favours the prepared mind, and the bold individual too.Good luck, and Be confident, but well equiped, and well prepared too!regards(Reeds and Janets seem fine so far, with quick responses to queries.!)

Reply 7

Jeff Dee

Original post by Elysium82

I'd like to change my career path and I think one good option is to change to Project Management. The problem is that I need to understand the path that leads there. That's why I need some help.

The other contributers are right to Highlight Pronce 2 as a pre requisite, but ive seen many /chancers, who have qualifications galore, and are crap at theire jobs..........so yes...get an experience you can...(eg -Shadowing; Internship etc.) But dont let lack of experience put you off- I;ll guarentee, that you've led many smaller projects, ( going on Holiday, Moving House, went camping, organised parties/ fetes etc.. ( or been involved etc,,,,,,) These are small projects in their own rght, and Im sure you'll have been involved in projects within yiour current career. So gnore professional snobbery, think widely, gather your thoughts, and sell that experience, at interview.

Again- good luck.
Remember: Edison had never built a lighbulbbut that didnt stop him!!!