Make 2020 Your Year! Get Project Management Certified & Advance Your Career

About 97% of organizations believe that good knowledge of project management is critical to organizational success. Unfortunately, barely over half of the project managers are certified and skilled in their tenure and career in the project management domain.

I am often asked – why PMI? Because it is the best, period! Its standards are second to none, prequalifying application experience a must, not to mention their core values and ethics. I won’t lie getting PMI certified is tough, it takes time to study, to truly understand the concepts, and to apply it to your everyday work environment, but I promise it is worth it.

Believe it or not, project management certifications can massively help you advance in your career. Not only organizations prefer to recruit certified professionals but they also get to helm better projects in the future.

Why 2020? Everyone takes a break through the holidays and wake up in January with resolutions that are only thoughts. Now is the time to act, get motivated, find a local study group, dust off the PMBOK and get to work. PMI has delayed the new changes for the PMP exam until June 2020, so now – today – is your opportunity to start the journey to get certified.  

Why you should get PMI-PMP certified

Whether you are a veteran or newbie trying to climb up the ladder, Project Management Institute offers the most recognized Project Management Professional certification for you. If you’re still not convinced, below are some reasons describing the importance of a reputable project management certification in today’s time and age.

 Reason #1: Global acknowledgement

There are famous institutes and online portals like the Project Management Institute (PMI) known to offer world-class education and certifications to aspiring professionals. PMI is the gold standard in the many project management certifications that you can obtain – it has set the stage for career success for 50 years now – reaching international recognition and beyond. PMI sets the standards and once you become PMI-PMP certified, you become qualified to showcase your skills and expertise to companies all over the world. Being recognized and sought-after name in an industry, you get the global acceptance and acknowledgement to work wherever you want. 

Reason #2: Dramatic salary hike

Another inviting reason to consider getting a project management certification is a steep hike in salary. In a recent study, it was found that you can expect up to 20% increase in your PMP salary if you are PMP certified as compared to a project manager who isn’t certified. It indicates that a quality project management certification could give a straightaway 20% of salary growth. Also know that employees receive larger pay raises by possessing a PMP certification. While this article is written to highlight the PMI-PMP certification, there are numerous certifications offered through PMI and all set you apart as subject matter expert and with that comes greater earning potential.

Reason #3: Challenging projects and better job opportunities

A project management certification helps you gain the trust of managers to handle challenging projects. As you develop the right skill set, they aren’t afraid or have any second thoughts before handing over a plum project to you. Also, a certification equips you with both knowledge and experience enabling you to get better job opportunities from great organizations validating your credibility to lead and manage projects in a better way.

Reason #4: Better project performance

Certified project management professionals tend to perform better than someone with no certification at all. A certified PM manager is well aware of the processes such as initiation, planning, execution, monitor, closure along with risk management and best project management practices. Such valuable information helps you take the right steps that lead to better performance and boost in overall productivity.

Reason #5: A smart future investment

Considering the fact that these certifications aren’t that expensive as compared to other specific exams or courses, one should never neglect the impact they could have on your career.

For example, you can take the PMP exam for $555 and if you are a PMI member, then it’s for $405. It won’t burn a hole in your pocket. On an average, the passing rate is around 60%. You don’t need formal training to pass the test. Taking everything into account, it does seem like a smart investment for your career. The best thing is that certified professionals are secure even during an economic crisis.

If you are reading this article, then that tells me you are either certified and understand the positive implications it has on your career or you know it is something you must do…writing this article is to motivate you to take the challenge and get certified, but not just any certification, the PMI-PMP. 

I’m just a southern gal telling others the benefit. Do your homework, there is a fair amount of inaccurate and old information out on the web. I can only speak from experience and what worked for me. We are all different, from all parts of the world wanting to be the best of the best. If you happen to be within driving distance of Greenville, South Carolina than you need to look up Roy Mathena at PSI Project Management, INC His training curriculum is amazing and meets the required 35 contact hours you need to take the exam. Also, he is one of the very few Registered Education Providers in South Carolina. Enroll yourself in one of these project management certifications and get ready to reach the next level in your career.

All the best! – J.