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Project Management
By Career Advisor
Question: I have been providing Project Management for the deployment of software solutions into end user environments for 15 years. I have always worked in customer facing roles for the software vendor and interfaced with the customers IT department. Some of the implementations have been very complex and taken 12-18 months. I am 60 years old and have just been released from my employment due to acquisition of my past employer by a LARGE ERP vendor. Currently, I am researching opportunities in IT organizations and see a large number of jobs but they all require previous IT experience. What are my chances and what level of age discrimination should I anticipate? Thanks in advance,
Answer: I’m a little confused by statement that they require previous IT experience. You have 15 years of project management experience in software development. You must mean that they require Technical Experience as a programmer.
If that’s the case. There are many Project Management jobs that do not require that. Did you ever get the PMP certification from Project Management Institute http://www.pmi.org ? A lot of employers like that certification.
You also may want to think about contracting as a Project Manager. You can typically make more money but have to pay for your own insurance usually.
Here is a search for Project Manager jobs: http://career-advisor.jobamatic.com/a/jobs/find-jobs/q-”Project+Manager”
Dear Atlanta and Career,
While I will be the first to admit that the PMP is well RECOGNIZED by many employers, I am not sure if I would saty that they necessarily LIKE it.
Why? Because after over 20 years and nearly 300,000 PMP’s projects, (especially those in the IT sector) continue to fail with alarming frequency.
As a trainer and consultant in this field for all of my working life, most employers put the PMP exactly where it belongs- as an entry level credential where a novice project team member moves from working on a project team to actually managing a small project.
For a 60 year old (I too am 60) my recommendation would be to seek out something more substantial than the PMP.
Email me privately and I will share my advice.
BR,
Dr. PDG, Jakarta, INDONESIA
http://www.getpmcertified.com