I am thinking about going the Project Management route and getting out of Sales/Sales Management after I fifnish my undergrad. What are the opportunities for someone with a MS-PM with little to no PM experience. Am I looking at a huge pay reduction and another 5 years to get back on top? I think that I have the skills to be a good PM guy. I just don't have the heart for Sales as much anymore. At least I don't think I do.
With general management skills already under your belt the transition to Project Management should be possible with the proper educational preparation. If you do not need a regionally accredited graduate degree, Aspen University offers a relatively inexpensive MBA Project Management programme at approximately USD8000.00 plus books. Given your background you might be able to knock it out in only one year. The courses 645, 646, and 647 prepare you to write the CAPM exam with no project managment experience and then the PMP exam which usually requires project management related experience. Project Management fortunately is needed in many organizations aside from information technology. FYI: Aspen University is nationally accredited (NA - DETC) if that matters to you.
I have looked at Aspen in the past. I was hoping to go RA with my MS to go with my NA BSBA. As of late, I am looking at this little gem: http://www.uwplatt.edu/disted/degrees/pm/index.html What do you think the possiblities for employment would be? Would I have to start at the bottom?
The programme looks interesting and well-rounded. Have you done any project management activities (campaign development, promotion-driven sales efforts, etc.) in your career as a sales manager? With your previous education and work experience it is unlikely you would start at the bottom though you might have to settle for a few project coordinator positions to gain some hands-on experience in the realm of project management. If you belong to a charitable or community group, that is a good way to gain "project management/coordinator" type experience.
Yes, everywhere I go I end up managing the project. I have built homes, ran outreach programs and have done many things along those lines including bringing on new products as well as starting a few businesses. I always seem to end up at the center of things. It seems to be a good fit for me. Hopefully it doesn't sound like I am tooting my own horn. I'm just trying to evaluate myself as good as possible and project myself in that position to see if it is a good fit for me.
You sound like a good candidate for project management roles and with your prior experience you might already qualify to sit for the PMP certification.
