Archive for March 3rd, 2009

Project Management Certification- It Pays (Literally)

Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009

What is in a name? Would your rather take medical advice from just any Joe Shmoe, or would a DOCTOR Joe Shmoe have a little more influence on you?

In our society, a title does matter, because not only does it represent a certification and a knowledgebase, but also a dedication to a profession that is quantifiable and meaningful.

So what do the letters PMP after a name mean to you? To many employers who are actively seeking to hire, these letters can mean the difference between a second look at a resume and a shuffle to the bottom of the stack. PMP Certification, which if offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI), provides a clear message to potential employers of competence and a foundation of knowledge that is crucial to be a successful project manager. Due to the extensive requirements established in obtaining and maintaining this certification, the letters PMP signify much more than just a test. Prospective PMP’s have to have a certain amount of education/work experience in order to sit for the exam, and after they have received their PMP, they must take Continued Certification Requirements in order to maintain their PMP status.

So, now that you know the benefits of having a PMP, you may be more inclined to consider obtaining this certification if you have not already done so. But what if I told you that some companies today not only prefer their Project Managers to have their PMP, but REQUIRE it? This is the reality for many organizations. Requiring PMP certification makes sense for many companies who want the assurance that their employees share the PMBOK knowledge base and are committed to staying current with their project management skills.

While I have not found a list that reveals the exact number of employers who are requiring the PMP credential (if you know of such a list existing, please share!), and cannot quantify the trend throughout the years, there is a general consensus among the Project Management community, both job seeker and employers, that the PMP is becoming the new standard. So if you have your PMP credential and are maintaining it, publicize it! If you are working towards your credential, well done, your efforts will be well worth the payback.

Thanks for reading,

Kristen LaBrosse, CAPM

Posted in PM for the "20-Something" Crowd | No Comments »

Volunteering

Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009

By: Kristen LaBrosse, CAPM

Last week I attended the PMI San Diego Chapter’s February Component Dinner Meeting, where the theme was celebrating the 2008 volunteers… OSCAR STYLE! This was an evening dedicated to honoring the people who had given back to the chapter in the form of donating their time and hard work.
      
My friend Sarah was one of the head volunteers at this event, and as her cohort I jumped in to provide as much help as possible. Her duties included putting together gift bags for the 150 guests that would be attending, and not just any gift bags, but Oscar style gift bags. Since the budget did not provide for fancy watches or Safari trips to Africa, creativity was a necessity.      

The gift bags that resulted were a fun mixture of popcorn, chocolate bars wrapped with Oscar Award emblems, fun-fetty (which was just the right mixture of glamour and  annoyance as it exploded out of the gift bag upon opening), and the famous gold Cheetah Learning caps. Creating these gift bags may have been a daunting job for one person, but with the promise of wine and hors d’oeuvre we found our friends could be easily persuaded to attend a gift bag making soirée.

Sarah and I arrived early to the event to help set up the Oscar themed room and to get on our best “red-carpet-interviewer” game faces. As the guests arrived, we approached them, microphone in hand, and slammed them with questions, such as “WHO are you wearing this evening?” or, the very important question, “Team Aniston or Jolie?!” Some guests were thoroughly delighted by the attention, while others were confused, but everyone’s face lit right up when we pointed them in the direction of the bar. And so the night at the Oscars- PMI style- began.  

The night was dedicated to celebrating and thanking volunteers. What I took away from this event was just how important volunteering is, a message that rings especially true for people who are employed-challenged at the moment and are looking to find not only their next job, but their next career in a field that is meaningful to them and matches their skill sets.

San Diego Chapter PMI Dinner- Oscar Style

San Diego Chapter PMI Dinner- Oscar Style

Volunteering is a very powerful tool that should not be overlooked when considering expanding your network in order to enhance your job search. Three-fourths of people find jobs through personal contacts, which means that 75% of jobs are already filled before they ever hit the job boards. Volunteering provides the opportunity to come in contact with a wide variety of people, which can never hurt when you are on the job hunt.  Another great reason to volunteer is to avoid that gap in your resume, so that when you do apply to your next job you have a slew of experience (experience is experience, paid or not) that will aidindemonstrating your skills.

So if you do find yourself with some free time on your hands, you could hole yourself up in your house and catch up on the Lost series, or you could grab your friends, your skills, and career by the bull horns and get out there and volunteer.

Thanks for reading,

Kristen LaBrosse, CAPM 

Posted in PM for the "20-Something" Crowd | No Comments »

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