Can you become a project manager without a degree

[BrieAndChilli]

Never finished uni due to stuff going on at the time.
I’m an admin assistant, late 30s, 3 kids and live nowhere near London. Would love to become either a corporate event manager or a project manager but don’t have a degree and anything I see advertised that would be a step up from admin always asks for educated to degree level.
Am I stuck at being admin forever? Can’t afford to go to uni now. What’s the best route available to me??

[strongandlong]

Definitely don't need a degree for project management. Are there any projects going on at you work that you could get involved in?

[Gotakeahike]

You can try to get invovled in projects at your current employer and build from there. You also might look at a project management certification (AMP or PMP certification). There are courses you can do online.

[hairychinsrus]

Yes 200% I was one
Start small by sorting out small situations at work then build up confidence. Have a look at some courses PRINCE foundation or Agile are good but even better is to get mentored. You can start at project co ordinary or project administration and just work your way up
Good luck it's very fulfilling but also can be extremely stressful

[Yorkshireteapot]

Definitely Brie!

I never went to Uni, did pretty crap at my A Levels too, and have always worked.

I work for a large charity in a Projects/Performance type role, they have paid for me to undertake my APMP Qualification. Prior to this role I was working for the Business Support function and made sure I was building PM experience in to my role (and ultimately my CV).

Can you talk to your manager about options for building experience/training in to your current role, shadow another team perhaps or take on a small project? You could research project plans and a PM toolkit, perhaps eventually improve a current system or process so you have evidence for future interview opportunities.

You can do it!

[LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett]

You definitely don't need a degree for event management, but it does usually include a lot of unsocial hours so isn't hugely compatible with DCs. I'd focus on project management. Try and get seconded onto a project at work and make pals with the PM. There's loads of different courses you can do, would your work sponsor you maybe? Or make a sideways move into a bigger company that would, if you work somewhere small just now?