Project management has become more important than ever, considering the growing adoption of digital transformation. Companies are in dire need of skilled project managers who understand the present-day technologies and can use established principles, policies, and procedures to guide a project right when it commences through its completion. Though teams are considered the key to the success of any enterprise project, they don’t run on themselves. It’s a seasoned project manager that keeps the team members on track.
Project managers are highly paid professionals in every industry as they demonstrate both technical skills and the ability to manage projects and people. The IT industry is known to pay the best salaries to project managers. In fact, the US News and World Report, in their Best Jobs 2021 analysis, found that IT project managers earned as high as $146K per year, a figure that stands quite higher than other IT job roles. Moreover, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated around 10% growth for this profession from 2019 through 2029, which is comparatively much faster than average.
With such salary and growth potential, it becomes obvious for professionals to think about switching to a managerial role and fast-track their careers. Fortunately, there are some certifications in project management that validate your understanding of the subject and help you take up the job of a project manager. For beginners in this field, it is recommended that you pursue the Certified Associate in Project Management or CAPM certification.
Read on to know more about this credential and what are the benefits associated with CAPM certification.
CAPM Certification – What is it?
The CAPM certification is administered by the prestigious Project Management Institute or PMI and enhances your credibility and effectiveness working with project teams. It acknowledges your expertise in the profession’s preeminent global standard so that you can stay ahead of others and establish your career in project management. If you have always wanted to manage large projects and gain more responsibility in your current job role, then the CAPM certification is best suited for you.
First off, you need to have a secondary degree (high school diploma or associate degree) and 23 hours of project management education to be eligible for the CAPM certification exam. You can take PMI’s Project Management Basics course online to fulfill the educational prerequisite. The exam consists of 150 questions, and the time allowed is 3 hours. The certification depicts your knowledge of the principles and terminology within the PMBOK Guide (Project Management Body of Knowledge) Sixth Edition, a document that outlines the generally recognized best practices in project management.
Benefits Associated with the CAPM Certification
The current job market is highly competitive, and you really need some unique skills to stand out from the crowd and land your dream job. The IT industry, especially, has gained traction among professionals across the world, and only highly talented people make their way to top technology companies out there. Any industry-recognized certification is beneficial to validate your skills and improve your chances of getting hired. Here, let’s discuss what the benefits you can reap by getting CAPM certified are.
Polish your project management skills
When you prepare for the CAPM certification, you will have to gain expertise in a lot of crucial areas like project management basics, project environment, project integration management, scope management, schedule management, cost management, resource management, and so on. By getting certified, employers will believe that you have honed your skills and are ready to work in a team that takes up complex projects.
Make your way for the PMP certification
The PMP (Project Management Professional) certification is the gold standard in the field of project management, offered by PMI itself. But the certification can only be taken up by experienced professionals. The CAPM certification also is one of the prerequisites to become eligible for taking the PMP exam. So, as a beginner, you can pursue the CAPM certification and then gain the relevant experience to achieve the PMP certification.
Open your doors to global opportunities
With a CAPM certification, you are no more limited to work in a specific country. The certifications offered by PMI are recognized globally, and a CAPM certification will indicate to the global employers that you can speak the common language of project managers. You will be able to work at any location and travel around the world handling more and better projects.
Command higher paychecks
Companies are aware of the fact that poop project management practices result in huge losses every year. So, they are ready to pay higher salaries to project managers with demonstrated skills in bringing a project to successful completion. A CAPM certification in your skillset will help employers trust your credibility, and your earning potential will improve as a result.
Explore more job roles
A CAPM certification is not only ideal for the role of a project manager but fits into a variety of other roles as well. This credential is also beneficial when you are applying for roles like business analyst consultant, IT technical manager, operational support analyst, member relations administrator, marketing communications coordinator, and so on.
With so many benefits, do you still have second thoughts about pursuing a CAPM certification?