Do I want a career in Project Management

WEEK1

Wow, I never think about it. I just heard PMP in August. During the last school break, I visited my aunt in Calgary. On her computer desk, I saw a book named PMP. Then she told me she was a project manager. That’s my first time to know project management. I didn’t ask what her responsibility is since it’s kind of boring questions. That’s one thing I know .Being a project manger is a tough process. You have to contribute all your energy and knowledge to your work.
After I search project management related job posting in Monster.ca, I find that the following skills are required by most jobs.


Soft skill or human relation skill
Project manager is the negotiator. You have to work with information technology professionals and their customers. A good project manager must possess effective communication and writing skills since much of the job entails communicating with the project team and key stakeholders.

Technically competent
Some people believe that to understand the technology they use in the project is the most important issue. They have to be the experts on this area to be a project manager. Actually, it is not. They should have the basic knowledge of wide area technology. More importantly, they should understand how the project they are managing would enhance the business.

General management skill
Like other managers, project manager should understand some general management skills. For example, financial management, accounting, sales, marketing, distribution, the supply chain, strategic planning, and organization behaviour, etc. A good business manager can be a project manager because they know their business well and they focus on meeting business needs .For the technology part; they can rely on other project members.

Project environment knowledge
Project environment differs from other organizations. The most frequent questions they are facing are change. They have to handle it properly. They have to understand the process of the product in the organization.

Now let’s talk about education and working experience. Which one is important? I hate to answer this kind of questions. It is like which one come first, chicken or egg?

After I searched monster.ca, I find the entry level project assistant focus on education more. A degree or diploma is desired. It is the same as other jobs. When you graduate from college, education is the only asset you have. That’s why company has to screen the candidates based on education.

When you become more experienced, no one is asking your education background anymore. They will ask have you experience the similar situation before. Experiences become more valuable. That’s why most senior project manager has at least five year related working experience. They want to know you are confident to be a team leader and to solve any kind of questions.

For my conclusion, education and experience are both important. The importance just depends on your career levels.

JOB TITLES:
Project coordinator
Project manager
Assistant project manager
Senior project manager
Program manager