A project management career is exciting and varied. The role requires strong leadership, organizational and communication abilities along with specific knowledge of project management. It is a challenging role that can command excellent salaries. PRINCE2 is a popular methodology for project management that is used by project managers across the globe. In this article, we will discuss how the PRINCE2® Foundation and Practitioner Certification Training can help you in your career.
Companies need professionals with strong leadership and organizational abilities with industry knowledge. The field offers flexibility that makes it a challenging and exciting career. Many companies give preference to certified candidates. In fact, some companies have made the certification a prerequisite for getting employment. One of the most popular project management certifications is PRINCE2. Several organizations from different industries all across the globe use PRINCE2 for their projects. It has become a standard for many public sector organizations as well.
PRINCE2 qualification has two different levels – Foundation and Practitioner certification. Since both of these are required for many project management positions, a PRINCE2 certification will definitely push you in the right direction. However, you should know that even though a PRINCE2 certification will boost your career significantly, it doesn’t guarantee a job. A job in project management requires several years of working experience in a technical role that is related to the project.
If you have just started in the field of project management, you will have to go for entry-level positions like a trainee or junior. Another option you have is to do an internship while still being in college. It will provide you with a solid starting point. After that, you can gradually work your way up to the upper-level project management positions. You can also choose to work with a project team at an administration position for gaining the relevant experience. Working in project support offers you insight into the work of a project manager. After all, there is no better way to gain experience than by working on an actual project.
However, even after all this, you are not able to get an entry-level project role, you can turn to certifications for boosting a CV that is lacking practical experience. With the PRINCE2 certification, you will have added relevant experience without affecting your full-time job. You can also add proficiency in project management software like MS Project to your CV. It will also help you stand out in front of the recruiters for a project management position. AIt will prove to the employers that you have all the practical skills required for the role.
If you have decided to go for the PRINCE2 qualification, the first step is to enroll yourself in an accredited training organization. During the training, you will learn the structure, terminologies, and principles of the methodology. Once you get the certification, you can go for administrative roles like project analyst and project planner. These are the stepping stones for professionals who want to pursue a career in the project management field. You will be working side by side with the project manager and gaining in-depth knowledge of the specific project along with insights into the application of the PRINCE2 methodology. With some experience, you will be able to lead your own team as a project manager.
The role of a Project Manager
A Project Manager is responsible for coordinating a finite set of resources – money, materials, and money, for delivering outputs or products that were specified by the customers. A few examples of what these products might be are a marketing campaign, a new IT system, and staging an event. As a project manager, you will be planning, communicating with different stakeholders, managing risks and issues, monitoring the progress of the project, and reporting to senior management. The average annual salary of a project manager is $90,139 that only increases with experience.
The role of a Program manager
The next step for a Project manager with sufficient experience is the role of a Program Manager. They are responsible for planning and coordinating multiple-related projects. Each of these projects is headed and managed by a project manager. To be eligible for this role, candidates must have more than 8 years of experience in senior project management positions and organized large project teams. With PRINCE2 certification in your CV, you will be able to demonstrate your ability to manage multiple teams and implement the methodology on a large-scale. This is a very desirable position that is demanding and well-paid. All the candidates are required to have in-depth knowledge of the project management process along with the drive and ability to lead each project to success.
Both roles have excellent progression and income opportunities, which makes getting the PRINCE2 certification an important first step.
It is important to note that all skills count. If you don’t have any formal experience working on projects, you can even take inspiration from personal life. A few examples of this is planning a fund-raiser event for charity or organizing a fest in college. You have to add it to your CV. You can also gain experience by getting involved with voluntary works like teaching people new skills or working in conservation projects. Even if the projects are not from the formal business environment, they will provide you with the vital skills and experience needed for the job.
As discussed, project managers are in high demand. With a shortage of sufficiently experienced and qualified professionals who can fill this position, this demand is only expected to increase in the future.
Professional certification in project management like PRINCE2 can help you set your foot in the field. PRINCE2 is the most popular methodology for project management in the world. Whatever you learn during the training will help you get your first job as a project manager and put your theory into practice.