How do I become a project manager?

Question

I'm 1 year away from finishing my BCom in accounting. I have taken enough project management type courses to fufill the 35 hours and take the CAPM exam. For business work exp I have had a job in budgeting/planning for a real estate/property management company, import/export experience, and my current job is in a procurement department at a large company, in which I work with project managers directly. But without actual project management experience, how do I get a job in project management?

Answer 1

Really good to have Project management as a career. As you have taken project management courses and taken CAPM also it is good and will surely help to move up to PM fast. It also matters from where you have taken the course, they will also help you. Also, you have good experience with good companies.



Now you have learned the Project Management process, along with your certification and working with management companies all you need is to move up the ladder with some real experience. All that I would recommend is to work in close co-ordination with keen interest to learn the skill from your PMs in your company; wish they will help you. You can convince PM in your company to train you and give you change to train and also become PM, let them know that you can Also, do latest PM certification so that you get more opening. Project management career is very challenging and

Project managers are there to plan and manage the work, a project manager needs to posses general management skills and also knack for solving problem. Project Management is all about meeting deadlines, analysis, taking quick action and being responsive, excellent communication skill. Projects are managed and also priority is set, these all activities are organization’s portfolio of work and share requirements such as alignment with organizational objectives and the effective allocation of resources.



Be a leader and a manager, team builder, problem solver, influencer, good organizer, excellent communicator, set up and manage budgets and competent and consistent planner.



Project manager can make a lot difference in organization as a PM works under a set of requirements and objectives. So if you posses all the above skills, it will become very easy for you to become a PM. Few links that may be of great help:



http://www.apm5dimensions.com/blog/what-turns-normal-human-being-project-manager

http://vacancies-jobs.net/description/how-do-you-get-a-job-as-project-manager-with-zero-experience



Also, you can search in Google "become project manager with zero experience" and you can find more detail answer to your question.

Answer 2

You do not have to be an engineer to become a project manager. I work with them as an estimator, and I have the same required education as they do. You must take an engineering technology program, which is usually a 3 year course. If you're talking general construction, then it would be a civil engineering technology program.

Answer 3

You need a MENTOR. Convince one of the project managers you work with, to train you in project management. When you're ready for the job he will recommend you....Typically HE moves up, and you take his job.



He trains you. You 'push' him into a higher position. He 'pulls' you into a higher positions....

You push, he pulls. You will spend your career doing this. Someday someone will ask you to train them to take your position.