For the last 7 years I have been working as production manager and designer for a newspaper, but I feel like I want a career change as seeing as though I love planning and following things through the career of a project manager has interested me. I have been told the first step is to go on a course http://www.reed.co.uk/courses/prince2-foundation for PRINCE2. Is this correct?
Can anyone give me tips on how to crack on?
Thanks
Advice on Moving From Graphic Designer to Project Manager
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Mohamed.Benmerikhi
- Expert Member
- Posts: 57
- Joined: Thu 20 Sep 2012 10:19 am
- Location: France
Hi there,
First, I would like to congratulate you on your courage. I am going through a similar endeavour and have been lucky enough to get the right advice at the right time. I followed it and must confess that i do not regret having gone through this career change.
I got a job as a project coordinator, which i did not really understand well at the beginning, but after almost two years on the job, i realised that it is very multidisciplinary and involves a large spectrum of skills. Most importantly, it is a hands on experience with a diversity of tasks allocated by the project manager. I find it a great learning experience shadowing him and i believe that i can progress to project manager. I quite often feel that the PM is my mentor.
Best of luck .
First, I would like to congratulate you on your courage. I am going through a similar endeavour and have been lucky enough to get the right advice at the right time. I followed it and must confess that i do not regret having gone through this career change.
I got a job as a project coordinator, which i did not really understand well at the beginning, but after almost two years on the job, i realised that it is very multidisciplinary and involves a large spectrum of skills. Most importantly, it is a hands on experience with a diversity of tasks allocated by the project manager. I find it a great learning experience shadowing him and i believe that i can progress to project manager. I quite often feel that the PM is my mentor.
Best of luck .
Hi mate,
Most UK Jobs require Prince2, PMP, or APMP certs.
The PMP is quite hard to achieve (if not impossible) without Project experience under your belt. Well actually part of the exam for PMP requires PM'ing experience.
The Prince2 will open up a lot of doors for you, but you will struggle with experience. No one in their right mind will give you a PM job without experience as you clearly will struggle (or fail) to deliver the project to satisfactory level.
My advice, do Prince2 and look for Project Co-ordinator jobs, which will give you the experience to move up to PM jobs. I would also suggest to do the APMP for Prince2 Practitioners after the Prince2 exam.
Enjoy
Most UK Jobs require Prince2, PMP, or APMP certs.
The PMP is quite hard to achieve (if not impossible) without Project experience under your belt. Well actually part of the exam for PMP requires PM'ing experience.
The Prince2 will open up a lot of doors for you, but you will struggle with experience. No one in their right mind will give you a PM job without experience as you clearly will struggle (or fail) to deliver the project to satisfactory level.
My advice, do Prince2 and look for Project Co-ordinator jobs, which will give you the experience to move up to PM jobs. I would also suggest to do the APMP for Prince2 Practitioners after the Prince2 exam.
Enjoy
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Mohamed.Benmerikhi
- Expert Member
- Posts: 57
- Joined: Thu 20 Sep 2012 10:19 am
- Location: France
Hi there,
I enjoyed the additional information on the requirements for UK Project manager employment and just want to build on the topic.
The project coordinator position is indeed a good starting position from which one can leverage their knowledge and expertise. However, i believe that a whole spectrum of skills is a prerequisite. Specifically, I think that more than average writing skills and the ability to understand the technical specifications of the project -in which you will be involved- are essential primary skills, in addition to a well brushed up management flair.
Further, it would also be advantageous to be relatively computer litterate and be able to learn how to use certain software packages such as Microsoft project, Smarsheet, Microsoft Office (Word, Excell, Powerpoint, Publisher, Visio)...etc
Regards,
Mohamed Benmerikhi
I enjoyed the additional information on the requirements for UK Project manager employment and just want to build on the topic.
The project coordinator position is indeed a good starting position from which one can leverage their knowledge and expertise. However, i believe that a whole spectrum of skills is a prerequisite. Specifically, I think that more than average writing skills and the ability to understand the technical specifications of the project -in which you will be involved- are essential primary skills, in addition to a well brushed up management flair.
Further, it would also be advantageous to be relatively computer litterate and be able to learn how to use certain software packages such as Microsoft project, Smarsheet, Microsoft Office (Word, Excell, Powerpoint, Publisher, Visio)...etc
Regards,
Mohamed Benmerikhi
Hi there,
You might like to consider a Certified Scrum Master course, which can be done in 2 days. It includes a 35 question multiple choice exam at then end. Could be a useful addition to your CV in your quest to become a project manager.
It may help you stand out from the crowd of PMPs and PRINCE2 practitioners. There are less Agile/Scrum practitioners around and with companies like BT, Microsoft an Reuters using Scrum you might find it a better route in.
You can find more information about becoming a Scrum Master on the ScrumAlliance site: http://bit.ly/U0EMiy
Best of luck!
Duncan
You might like to consider a Certified Scrum Master course, which can be done in 2 days. It includes a 35 question multiple choice exam at then end. Could be a useful addition to your CV in your quest to become a project manager.
It may help you stand out from the crowd of PMPs and PRINCE2 practitioners. There are less Agile/Scrum practitioners around and with companies like BT, Microsoft an Reuters using Scrum you might find it a better route in.
You can find more information about becoming a Scrum Master on the ScrumAlliance site: http://bit.ly/U0EMiy
Best of luck!
Duncan