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Entry Level Project Management

Posted: Wed 20 Jul 2011 9:25 am
by stn0404
Hi guys,

I am very interested to pursue a career in PM. What i have is experience as a paralegal and i am looking at a career switch to PM.

But without prior experience in PM it will be difficult. What are the entry level kind of PM job available for someone like me?

My character is a fair bit of dictator kind. Am i suitable for this career?

Re: Entry Level Project Management

Posted: Thu 21 Jul 2011 12:42 pm
by dhaughey
I imagine as a paralegal you work in a controlled and structured way, which will stand you in good stead as project manager. However, the dictatorial style is unlikely to serve you well. Project managing requires good people skills. You will need to work closely with your project team, customers and other stakeholders - many of who will out rank you in the seniority stakes.

You face the age old problem of how to become a project manager when you have no prior experience of project management. Try looking for a Team Leader or Junior PM role on a programme where you can prove yourself.

A project management qualification is probably the best thing you can do to advance your career. Look at a number of general PM courses, then a more recognised methodology such as PRINCE2. I'd recommend a more general course initially so you learn the basics first.

Here is an article looking at the skills needed to be a project manager: www.projectsmart.co.uk/the-role-of-the- ... nager.html

Good luck!
Duncan

Re: Entry Level Project Management

Posted: Thu 21 Jul 2011 4:58 pm
by dhaughey
One other thought. If you are looking to find out whether a career in project management is right for you, I'd suggest reading Kimberly Wiefling's Scrappy Project Management.

It brilliantly describes project management as it really is, rather than an aspirational methodology that sounds great in the classroom, but forgets the reality of the workplace.

Publishers' Description:

"Projects are MESSY! From the minute the project begins, all manner of changes, surprises and disasters befall them. Unfortunately most of these are predictable and avoidable. Tact and diplomacy can only get you so far in the wild and wacky world of project work. A combination of outrageous creativity, sheer bravado and nerves of steel will serve you far better than any fancy-schmancy Microsoft Project Gantt chart! 'Scrappy Project Management' is about what REALLY happens in the project environment."

Cheers,
Duncan

Re: Entry Level Project Management

Posted: Thu 21 Jul 2011 5:16 pm
by stn0404
Thanks dhaughey

I will definitely pick up this book from the local library.