A Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is a prestigious credential that demonstrates that an individual has the knowledge and experience to deliver projects successfully. It can be very beneficial in career advancement for IT professionals who are familiar with project management concepts.
There are many reasons why you should earn your PMP, but it’s ultimately up to you to decide if it’s worth the effort to attain this level of certification. The following list provides some benefits of earning your PMP:
- Improved career opportunities within your organization: After acquiring your PMP certification, you will have access to higher-level projects. You can provide better value for your department and often be the first choice when it comes to managing larger initiatives within your organization. Many companies are now requiring project management experience as a prerequisite for executive positions.
- More job options: Before attaining your certification, some employers may not even consider you for upper-level project manager roles since they see more value in hiring certified professionals such as PMP’s, which allow them to avoid training costs of bringing someone on who is new to the job and needs to learn best practices before they can succeed efficiently. Employers that do not require their managers to hold a certification opt for people with at least three years of experience in project management. This means that PMPs have a higher chance of getting hired for senior positions, which typically pay more than entry-level roles.
- Earning potential: Although the salary you earn is not dependent on certification status, your projected raise can be affected by having a certification under your belt. Your employer may choose to pay you a little bit extra per year if they see you as a candidate who has shown personal growth and maturity over the years through continuing education courses and certifications such as the PMP. The average salary increase rate from an additional project management certification is 4% – 8%. That might not sound like much now, but those small increments accumulate over time to become a huge difference in one’s lifetime earnings!
- Meet PMI requirements for sitting for the exam: Earning your certification is one of the most obvious ways to demonstrate that you are performing in your current role, and there is no better way than through a project management certification. This can be an expensive investment if your employer does not pay directly or reimburse you, but it’s worth it in the long run since this will qualify you to register for an exam with PMI (Project Management Institute).
In conclusion, although it is up to you whether or not you want to invest the time and effort into pursuing a PMP certification, it can be an extremely valuable asset if your goal is to advance your career.
Benefits Of PMP Certification In Your Career