[elabayarde]

Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM),

I have been hearing that there is alot of international opportunity for people who have a engineering/project management background as well. I was wondering is this entry level cert, even worth while pursuing. Anyone well versed on this. My interest would be one-day consulting, or contracting to work in different places internationally and to have the OPTION of doing a different job, than I am doing now. If any guys no anything about the field please chime in. Also, for guys without degrees it seems to be a good field where as your certifications can basically get you pretty good paying jobs internationally.

[elabayarde]

(12-22-2012 10:28 AM)elabayarde Wrote:  

Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM),

I have been hearing that there is alot of international opportunity for people who have a engineering/project management background as well. I was wondering is this entry level cert, even worth while pursuing. Anyone well versed on this. My interest would be one-day consulting, or contracting to work in different places internationally and to have the OPTION of doing a different job, than I am doing now. If any guys no anything about the field please chime in. Also, for guys without degrees it seems to be a good field where as your certifications can basically get you pretty good paying jobs internationally.

Edit:My intent was to post this in the lifestyle section BTW:

[Smitty]

I'm a PMP, which is a step above CAPM. While CAPM will be useful to help you become a PMP, it's not nearly as universally recognized as the PMP and I don't think I would put in the work to get the certification. The PMP was hard enough. If you're qualified for CAPM then you shouldn't be too far off from meeting the qualifications for PMP and my recommendation would be to just go for the gold (PMP).

That said, I'm not sure how many doors it opens internationally. It's the experience in a particular field that will (or will not) be in demand. Being a PMP just shows that you have experience and expertise in project management.

[Stitch]

And in addition, you can put on your business cards "Smooth PMP Daddy". Not sure how many doors that would open, but it's worth a shot.

[rudebwoy]

(12-22-2012 11:42 AM)Smitty Wrote:  

I'm a PMP, which is a step above CAPM. While CAPM will be useful to help you become a PMP, it's not nearly as universally recognized as the PMP and I don't think I would put in the work to get the certification. The PMP was hard enough. If you're qualified for CAPM then you shouldn't be too far off from meeting the qualifications for PMP and my recommendation would be to just go for the gold (PMP).

That said, I'm not sure how many doors it opens internationally. It's the experience in a particular field that will (or will not) be in demand. Being a PMP just shows that you have experience and expertise in project management.

I am studying hard for the PMP right now.
Are you working in the field in Poland?

[elabayarde]

Smitty: The ultimate goal would be a PMP, but there seems to be alot of experience needed prior to applying to certification, specifically in engineering. Is it likely to get into Project Management in the first place without a CAPM first. Thanks alot for you guys advice.

Stitch: lol yeah that's a good thing to have.

[Stitch]

(12-22-2012 12:34 PM)elabayarde Wrote:  

Stitch: lol yeah that's a good thing to have.

Jokes aside, if you can work toward PMP, I think it can be useful in the right career fields. Sadly I've always edged around the work requirement by not quiiiite being in a position with the right qualifications (a bit like now; I'm in something resembling "project management" but not quiiiite enough of the right bits to qualify).

Still, the PMBOK was a good read, and I think the basic skills are really useful no matter what you wind up doing, so go for it if you can.

[Smitty]

(12-22-2012 12:27 PM)rudebwoy Wrote:  

I am studying hard for the PMP right now.
Are you working in the field in Poland?

Nah, not working in Poland.
Feel free to shoot me a PM if you need any help.

(12-22-2012 12:34 PM)elabayarde Wrote:  

Smitty: The ultimate goal would be a PMP, but there seems to be alot of experience needed prior to applying to certification, specifically in engineering. Is it likely to get into Project Management in the first place without a CAPM first. Thanks alot for you guys advice.

I don't think any engineering experience should be required to become a PMP. The subject matter is field-agnostic. The terms, concepts and scenarios are not specific to any single industry. Some of the questions/scenarios on the exam will put you in a PM role on an engineering or IT project, but the question is about PM material, not those specific industries.
You can definitely get into project management without a certification. Typically involves working your way up the chain and learning about project schedules, costs, staffing, etc. A PMP certifcation just demonstrates to an employer that you have experience and expertise, but you can certainly be a PM without the certification.

[C-Note]

Quite a few professional project managers don't have the PMP certification because project management is often considered to be more of an art than a science, so the certification is perceived by some to be "nice to have" but not an expectation like a Microsoft or Comptia certification if you work in network administration or information security. Still, if you'd like to spend the time and effort to get it, it doesn't hurt to have it. In my career field, if you put "PMP" at the end of your name on your business card, resume, or email signature it can look like you're trying to compensate for a lack of experience.