Technical Knowledge 10

[Moonstone]

What is the extent of technical knowledge that project managers need to possess. Can someone with 2-3 years of experience get a Project Management Certification and become a Project Manager. I know of people in the IT industry who with 2 yrs of experience, do in for a PM certification and get high paying jobs in the area of Project Management. My background is Civil Engineering, and I feel stuck. I feel as if I will have to spend years gaining technically advanced before I can get anywhere. Is this true?

 

[EddyC]

BJC,

I find myself in your camp and I think that moonstone should go for it if he/she feels that it fits him/her better than a design position would. You can always go back to a design role if things don't work out. I also recently met a person that used to be an electrical engineer. She currently works as a manager. She basically explained that she found out that she was a people person and had a flair for managing. Based upon my numerous interactions with her, I agree. It all comes down to what fits a person best.

 

[IRstuff]

I think that everyone should at least get their feet wet, once. At the very minimum, it'll put to bed any doubts you might have had about whether it's a good thing or not.

I've been lead on several occasions and hated them all; but that's just me. There are others that thrive on it.

TTFN

 

[lonecrusader]

hi Guys,
Off lately I have come to realize that I am learning more about practical work and job scenarios from this forum than real life. My company being a small manufacturing firm.
Some times I really get frustrated as to the decisions made by the company and many a times without rationale (atleast to my limited experience and knowledge). I have been trying to move out of this company.. may be because its my first company and have not seen other companies so closely. Somehow things have not worked out with job change till now.
The real question to me right now is while making a career move (with ultimate aim of getting into management roles) what should be my next ideal job change considering
1) BSME
2) MSME (control system design experience and research)
3) 2 years of work experience (small company) in designing fuel cells and fuel cell testing equipment design experience. The experience also includes managing small parts of large projects involved in manufacturing.
4) CAD/CAE experience.
I have been applying for regular mechanical engineering jobs being advertised at job boards (but of no use till now). I am doing this because I think nobody would be interested to hire me for management roles without significant work experience. None of the contacts have really worked out, but am hopefull something will work out(USA is land of opportunity!!!).
I just can not understand, if I am simply passing time and getting into a rabbit hole as offlately I am realizing that I might get outdated for other mechanical engineering jobs.
I am sorry for posting such a message but as I said before I have started to believe more in the views expressed by you all than I have recieved elsewhere.
Thankyou once again for all your constructive suggestions (esp whyun, BJC, IRstuff, oijammu, Thane )
Regards
Lonecrusader

 

[GregLocock]

I think you need to read the many other threads on this forum about how to apply for jobs. I don't think many people thought that 'job boards' were the best way forward.



Cheers

Greg Locock

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.