Qualifications for Project Management

Hi Ly,

I think you must be confused by now with all the comments you read, I must say that they are all valid. If I was in your place right now, this is what I would do:

1. study further and take a course in Project Management. 

2. At the same time, gain some experience in Construction by working with a Contractor or a Project Management Company.

3. During this period, you need to learn the construction industry process and how they do business from prequalification to project close out. You also need to learn how they do the works on site and how you can improved them. Young Engineers have innovative minds and they always come up with something new to improved the process.

4. After you gained experience, you can decide which particular field you want to be as your chosen career. If you have a leadership quality, then maybe you can pursue this career path and be a good Project Manager or even a Project Director someday. However, a career in construction is a ladder race and you start from the bottom and sometimes you need a real good break before you can move forward, however, if you are equipped with both the knowledge and experience, I would say you have a very good advantage.

All the best,

Daniel

Experience is the Best Teacher.

A good Understanding of the project environment and all the stake holders is key to Project Management. A project Manager is multidisciplinary. He has a bird's eye view of the work as well as the people who are doing the work. Having a multiple degree is not the issue. It is his level of interaction with both the job and the various stakeholders that make him stand out in the crowd. Call it on the job experience if you like and being well informed in all fields that relate to the project he is handling.

Ujam

Do you think a PMP certification is worth it? Also, how hard do you think the PMP certification exam cost is for someone who just graduated a few months ago?

Experience is essential - a PM degree would not make a good PM.



Many years of applying those skills and techniques (the Body-of-knowledge stuff) and of learning to understand people and groups, to influence people and to play the politics involved, will be required to become a good PM.



Go learn from the guys who LEAD your projects, not manage them LEAD them.

Hi Dayanidhi



Your sugesstion is practicable for new comers in this field but to become good planner experience and adopt latest techniques is also essential.

try to join as trainee in a well known construction company in your area, also choose your field/area, observe their construction activities closely, then you can learn everything by yourself(with little guidance from your superior).

In simple terms it is all a matter of application of mind. To become a senior planner the essentail pre-requisite is an inquisitve mind searching for order in the world. Integration is key.