Posted on May 22, 2015
What are Veterans' thoughts on PMP and/or Black Belt Certifications? Is one or both make you more marketable in the civilian sector?
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Certifications
Project Management Professional (PMP)
Posted >1 y ago
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I am a PMP and Army Certified Black Belt. Get the PMP first. It has the broadest application and is internationally recognized. PMP also has a national standard so employers know what to expect when they hire.
Black Belt training and certification vary widely among companies and schools. Look for a program that requires one or two projects and training for certification. There is no national standard for Lean, Six Sigma, or LSS certification.
Black Belt training and certification vary widely among companies and schools. Look for a program that requires one or two projects and training for certification. There is no national standard for Lean, Six Sigma, or LSS certification.
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CMSgt Gary Lanham
Right on Col. PMP and Green Belt, happily retired. You are dead on the priority. Thank you for your service.
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I run a PMO in my civilian job. A PMP is invaluable, and I am on a mission to make it an absolute requirement for a PM in my organization. Because of organizational/political factors, that is going to be a long & uphill fight where I am at.
Quite simply, it separates the "probably decent PMs" from "everybody who read an article online and decided 'how hard can that be?'". Especially with the squishiness of job titles in the current marketplace. With the PMP I know that 1) you have a certain minimal level of relevant education (or at least seat time....), 2) you have a certain minimal amount of relevant job experience (or at least filled out the application to make it look like you did....), 3) were able to take a relatively tough test for people who don't know a lot about project management, and 4) You invested some $$ (or convinced an employer to do it for you....).
There are PLENTY of good PMs that don't have the PMP cert (Several of my current PMs do not), but there are plenty that do. As a hiring manager it is a handy and better than chance rubric.
In my mind a PM should have a minimum of a PMP, a ScrumMaster certification (even if not doing Scrum), at least one other industry relevant cert, and relevant job experience.
Lean and Six Sigma aren't big drivers for me, but that's only because it isn't relevant to the environments that I have been running projects in. Were I more on the operational side, I would be all over them, especially Lean.
Quite simply, it separates the "probably decent PMs" from "everybody who read an article online and decided 'how hard can that be?'". Especially with the squishiness of job titles in the current marketplace. With the PMP I know that 1) you have a certain minimal level of relevant education (or at least seat time....), 2) you have a certain minimal amount of relevant job experience (or at least filled out the application to make it look like you did....), 3) were able to take a relatively tough test for people who don't know a lot about project management, and 4) You invested some $$ (or convinced an employer to do it for you....).
There are PLENTY of good PMs that don't have the PMP cert (Several of my current PMs do not), but there are plenty that do. As a hiring manager it is a handy and better than chance rubric.
In my mind a PM should have a minimum of a PMP, a ScrumMaster certification (even if not doing Scrum), at least one other industry relevant cert, and relevant job experience.
Lean and Six Sigma aren't big drivers for me, but that's only because it isn't relevant to the environments that I have been running projects in. Were I more on the operational side, I would be all over them, especially Lean.
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CPT Catherine R.
Is this my hint to finish my cert this year?
I say there is a decent amount of value to completing the PMP and not just because my boss thinks I should. Having worked with other "PM's" who haven't completed the training classes or anything I can say there is a whole world of difference between someone who wants the title PM and one who actually manages a project from start to finish.
Sitting for the exam (which I have yet to do) proves that you are at least willing to vest the time towards it. I realized quickly that I am going to have to spend a decent amount of time studying in order to guarantee success and I'm not willing to spend the money without a guarantee of success.
I say there is a decent amount of value to completing the PMP and not just because my boss thinks I should. Having worked with other "PM's" who haven't completed the training classes or anything I can say there is a whole world of difference between someone who wants the title PM and one who actually manages a project from start to finish.
Sitting for the exam (which I have yet to do) proves that you are at least willing to vest the time towards it. I realized quickly that I am going to have to spend a decent amount of time studying in order to guarantee success and I'm not willing to spend the money without a guarantee of success.
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COL Vincent Stoneking
CPT Catherine R. That's the way the smart money would bet. ;-)
Of course, being there for a year, you have an appreciation for what is meant by "at the speed of government", so it is not likely to be an edict within 30 days of my return or anything (especially with the current crop being made perm), but it will definitely be a selective factor in hiring and promotions.
Of course, being there for a year, you have an appreciation for what is meant by "at the speed of government", so it is not likely to be an edict within 30 days of my return or anything (especially with the current crop being made perm), but it will definitely be a selective factor in hiring and promotions.
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CMSgt Gary Lanham
I transitioned E-9 with a few degrees done at night courses and getting my PMP in 2001. Just finished my 2nd career and a proud member of PMI. Ran projects at Ft Polk, Ft Sam, Ft Bliss. It is a great resume item.
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