AIBU to ask how i can get into project management

[isitwhatitwas]

Hi all, im currently working in the civil service but i would like to branch out into project management - particularly in tech.
Ive done some research and found various courses such as PRINCE2 and the APM qualifications but i was hoping for some 'insider' info on how i could enter this field. Any advice would be massively appreciated.

Funnily enough, I've just been looking at this on LinkedIn.

There's a load of posts and articles on there about WS Atkins including how to start, how to enter and all of the job roles that they currently have.

I'm a PM. Certifications are always good as they give you the basic foundation you need. For getting into project management itself, I'd look at what skills you already have /use in your daily job and how it can be applied to a project management position. E.g. time management, leading teams, budget etc. Then you could use these as a basis for getting projects.

We do a lot of mentoring and coaching where junior PM's shadow or help in bigger projects to learn how it works. That's really useful for hands on experience

@rocksteadyfreddy ill take a look - thank you

@Jokie Is there any certificate that you would recommend? Ive also seen a lot of mention of Agile but my understanding is thats a methodology rather than something that can be certified

I’m a Civil Servant and my business area paid for me to do PRINCE2. You could ask for it as part of your development plan. Don’t ask don’t get.
Or do the P2 or Agile course privately- there are so many offers and it’s easily doable in a week. Then apply for PM internal jobs.

If you worked for me I’d say “speak to your line manager”. Most employers would happily help you get experience and build up your skills where they can.

Does your current job have any links to project delivery? Could you ask for a secondment to a team that does?
Can you take on any mini responsibilities for budgets, goal setting, resource management etc within your current role?

APM Project Fundamentals is a good first qualifications. More in depth ones like PRINCE2 can be hard to get to grips with until you’ve had at least some PM experience.

My company does project management work experience and takes on apprentices. I'd contact all companies you'd like to work for seeing if they have an apprentice scheme.

Good luck!

PRINCE2 is ok but have you also looked at six sigma/lean? I work in Customer Experience but there aren't many relevant qualifications.

I did an MBA in Business Administration which has helped but that's the LONG way! Good luck x

I'm a PM in IT and did Prince2 Agile Practitioner and ITIL4. You'd probably be best to look for project coordinator roles which will help you get experience and responsibility for the basics of running a project and reporting. Unless of course you have the opportunity to shadow PMs in your current role.

I'm a Project Manager now and didn't have any experience or qualifications previously. I helped myself by creating little improvement projects for myself in my previous role and getting other people involved and that was basically my experience. It opened the door and I managed to get a foot in that way.

Senior Programme Manager here. Public sector. I agree with what a previous poster has said about getting a job as a project coordinator to start with. You’ll learn the fundamentals of good project management and reporting and can work up from there. No matter what PPM qualifications you had I wouldn’t consider you for a PM role without any experience. As you’re civil service, I would see what internal opportunities there are. Or if you’re interested in tech, look at somewhere like NHS Digital or NHS X, the tech arm of the NHS. If you have some good transferable skills they might take you on and pay for your qualifications. But it’s mainly about learning from senior colleagues and on the job, the qualifications just formalise and cement the knowledge.

Also, there are different arms of project management, especially when working on large/multi-million pound projects - do you want to specialise in project management office (PMO) for example or work in project delivery/implementation?

The good news is that it can be a very varied, interesting and fulfilling area to work in so good luck 👍

@AramintaLee

I'm a Project Manager now and didn't have any experience or qualifications previously. I helped myself by creating little improvement projects for myself in my previous role and getting other people involved and that was basically my experience. It opened the door and I managed to get a foot in that way.

This is what I did as well. I work for a high street bank, they put me through a Lean course last year which helped me put a good foundation around what I was already doing!

@AramintaLee

I'm a Project Manager now and didn't have any experience or qualifications previously. I helped myself by creating little improvement projects for myself in my previous role and getting other people involved and that was basically my experience. It opened the door and I managed to get a foot in that way.

Yes to this as well! Qualifications might get you in the process but it’s real life examples and experience that will get you through the interview

Doesn’t have to be massive projects just enough so you can evidence you understand what needs to be done