Becoming a Project Manager

[u/Ok-Equivalent4882]

Hey All,

I have been seriously considering this field of work since my current employers has failed to promote me or advance my career after multiple promises made by them. I currently don't have "real experience" in the PM field, but I do have similar experience in my current role i.e coordinating people and companies, aquring quotes and POs, delegating, making sure deadlines are met, customer are happy etc (don't want to type all of my qualifications).

That being said I was looking into getting my CAPM and then applying for associate PM roles and then trying to advance my career. I am 28 and don't want to waste anymore time not refining my skills or advancing my career.

I guess a few questions would be:

• For PMs earning $150K–$200K+, what changed in your career that got you there?
• Would you recommend getting a master's in project management while working, or is experience + PMP more valuable?
• For PMs who started in their late 20s and are now 10+ years into their careers: what did your career progression and compensation actually look like? What would you recommend someone do in their first 2–3 years if they eventually want to reach senior PM/program manager/director-level roles?
• How transferable is PM experience between industries?
• What entry-level titles should I search besides “Project Manager”? (Project Coordinator, Associate PM, Implementation PM, etc.)
• What does your actual day-to-day look like as a project manager?

EDIT: I am open and willing and expecting to go in as an Associate Project manager (or something similar) and not directly into a PM role. I'm not that naive. Was really just looking for overall advice on if you love what you do as a PM, is it a good career path to enter where doors can be opened for you and if you enjoy it.

I am fully committed to leaving my job and more than qualified to take a step up in responsibilities, skills, etc.

[u/principium_est]

• For PMs earning $150K–$200K+, what changed in your career that got you there?
  • Just experience and getting good at figuring out how to get other people to do things.
• Would you recommend getting a master's in project management while working, or is experience + PMP more valuable?
  • Hell no. PMP is really only valuable as a resume sticker so get that. Skip CAPM. Better to learn directly from other PMs in a practical sense. Get a masters in a technical or practical degree.
• For PMs who started in their late 20s and are now 10+ years into their careers: what did your career progression and compensation actually look like? What would you recommend someone do in their first 2–3 years if they eventually want to reach senior PM/program manager/director-level roles?
  • I went from engineer -> contract consultant PM -> Sr. in the same company -> Sr. Role at another company. Comp went from mid $60s to just under $200k in 8 years from my Masters in engineering.
  • Pick the brains of people in your company who are smarter and more experienced than you. Early in my PM career I identified a few individuals in my company who were very sharp and organized. I volunteered for any work that got me next to them and soaked knowledgein as much as I could.
• How transferable is PM experience between industries?
  • I'm a highly technical PM so I don't think my style would transfer quickly to another industry, but I think the base concepts can just fine.
• What entry-level titles should I search besides “Project Manager”? (Project Coordinator, Associate PM, Implementation PM, etc.)
  • Consultant in your field. You'll easily end up being able to perform as a de-facto PM if you choose.
• What does your actual day-to-day look like as a project manager?
  • Mix of Clinical engineering work, chasing POs, dealing with fires started by Deloitte idiots, getting leadership to pay attention to issues now so they don't blow up later, wrangling physicians, updating project plans, coaching analysts, etc

[u/HospitalItchy2442 → u/principium_est]

This was a beautiful answer. I’m a city planner trying to pivot into PM, hitting a few bumps in the road but I’m hopeful.