What training or certifications should I pursue?
March 6, 2019 11:24 AM
I'm looking for something that will make me more marketable for other jobs and that will increase my earnings.
I went to college and got into the field of religious publishing. I've project-managed publishing many books, magazines, and blogposts. I work with a team of editors, proofreaders, and assistants to get stuff done through in-house and outsourced work. This includes managing a team of 5-6 people. I've also project-led development on a new website that we had developed by a third-party. I've arranged agendas and chaired many executive-level meetings.
I've thought about pursuing certification in project management (PMP), since that seems to be where my work over the years has led me (has it? I know little about this field and have only project-managed through trial and error... I'm familiar with software like Basecamp). I've also continually sought to teach myself programming, and I know HTML/CSS and some of the basics of javascript/python. I have never been able to get good at coding though. I just find it difficult to find real-world application for the stuff I learn (in my current position). I'm not sure that I even like it (maybe I just need to get better at it?).
In any case, I have some extra room in my budget for training. What kind of training should I pursue? PMP? Something business related? An editing certificate?
I went to college and got into the field of religious publishing. I've project-managed publishing many books, magazines, and blogposts. I work with a team of editors, proofreaders, and assistants to get stuff done through in-house and outsourced work. This includes managing a team of 5-6 people. I've also project-led development on a new website that we had developed by a third-party. I've arranged agendas and chaired many executive-level meetings.
I've thought about pursuing certification in project management (PMP), since that seems to be where my work over the years has led me (has it? I know little about this field and have only project-managed through trial and error... I'm familiar with software like Basecamp). I've also continually sought to teach myself programming, and I know HTML/CSS and some of the basics of javascript/python. I have never been able to get good at coding though. I just find it difficult to find real-world application for the stuff I learn (in my current position). I'm not sure that I even like it (maybe I just need to get better at it?).
In any case, I have some extra room in my budget for training. What kind of training should I pursue? PMP? Something business related? An editing certificate?
i just got my pmp in november. the thing is, passing the exam is all about studying explicitly for the exam, it's not about real-world experience at all. yes, you have to have X years and X hours of relevant experience to even sit for the exam, but the exam itself is all about exactly one way of doing project management--the PMI way. your real-world experience may actually harm you when taking the exam if you don't keep it out of your mind while answering the questions.
the course i took online (joseph philips via udemy) taught me the PMI terms and methodologies and processes and whatnot. but it did not teach me HOW to be a PM.
so there are two goals: one is to pass the pmp exam and the other is to become a better PM. there are lots of things you can read and watch about how to be a good/better PM.
the exam cost, book cost, course cost, and driving to the far away exam site set me back about $1,000 oop as my employer does not believe in professional development beyond watching youtube.
if you're looking to find a new job, having that PMP certification should make you more marketable and allow you to ask a higher salary. that's in theory tho, i haven't found that in practice. but i'm in southwest michigan not nyc or silicon valley.
posted by misanthropicsarah at 8:51 AM on March 7, 2019
the course i took online (joseph philips via udemy) taught me the PMI terms and methodologies and processes and whatnot. but it did not teach me HOW to be a PM.
so there are two goals: one is to pass the pmp exam and the other is to become a better PM. there are lots of things you can read and watch about how to be a good/better PM.
the exam cost, book cost, course cost, and driving to the far away exam site set me back about $1,000 oop as my employer does not believe in professional development beyond watching youtube.
if you're looking to find a new job, having that PMP certification should make you more marketable and allow you to ask a higher salary. that's in theory tho, i haven't found that in practice. but i'm in southwest michigan not nyc or silicon valley.
posted by misanthropicsarah at 8:51 AM on March 7, 2019
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posted by jeremias at 5:32 PM on March 6, 2019