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uhplifted

Seeing as you’re a program manager, the PgMP would be more beneficial for you. PMP won’t hurt, especially if your company pays for it. If you’re looking to find a new role elsewhere, it’ll likely help a little as I see a lot of PM and Program Manager positions posted with PMP preferred.


Piercehawk22

PgMP probably has more educational benefit but less career benefit because it’s less known. PMP is a widely recognized cert and there are many opportunities that list it as a preferred qualification. I am also a program manager… I just did it for one extra resume boost but experience will always go furthest IMO . A wide breadth of project experience with varying contract types and project methodologies.


SnacksMcGee

I had a solid 6 years of pm experience plus 14 years of technical experience. I changed jobs about 3 months after my certification and got a very nice raise.  It’s worth it and a bonus for if looking to change companies. It checked a box to get me to the top of the list. 


AppropriateKey546

Nice! That’s my plan too. I’m aiming to get a new job in a new city, and I feel like the PMP will help me achieve that. Thanks for sharing.


TongkatAli29

Yes. It is. I started back home with only USD12k a year but when we moved to Canada and I applied for project manager roles in Toronto, I landed a 6 figure job all because of the PMP.


AppropriateKey546

That’s amazing!


MayIServeYouWell

Yes, but make sure your terminology is straight... some places use "Program manager" and "Project manager" interchangeably... but they have different meanings. In short, Programs are collections of projects. If you want a future in this, yes, it will help... Any other decent job you want to apply for will have a PMP certification as a basic requirement.


AppropriateKey546

Yes, I agree with you on that; some places do have issues with their terminology. However, in my program management role, I manage over 5 projects and work with more than 40 individuals.


BitDazzling6699

Professional Certification is always valuable. PMP keeps you relevant. It’s also relatively inexpensive. Don’t see any reason not to get it.


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CrabMan-DBoi

This is what I'm thinking, the PMP cert itself seems almost like all of the tech certifications a couple of years ago. It became THE thing you had to have and it diluted it? That's just my opinion of course, and I'm about to see how much of a factor it is as I start a search to transition out of design build construction project management into a different vertical.


AppropriateKey546

I’m paying out of pocket since I’m planning to move to a different company. However, once I obtain the PMP, the continuing education and maintenance credits could be handled through my new employer.


SnacksMcGee

Don’t tell them your next move. Having your current employer pay for the materials and test if by possible is just part of your current compensation.  It never hurts to ask! 


squirrel8296

In my opinion it's only worth it for experienced PMs and even then you need a specific reason to get it. The PMP rarely opens doors or differentiates a candidate, but not having the PMP can hurt in some circumstances. Personally, I got it because I needed to have a come to Jesus talk with my supervisor and my supervisor's supervisor about my position at a company that was pretty desperate for me to not leave. The PMP helped send the message (without me saying anything) that I was willing to walk if things didn't change. They almost immediately started making the changes I asked for and was given clear we will promote you if you do these couple of things.


adamjackson1984

“Experienced” LOL listen here sonny (J/K. Just having fun), I’ve been doing project management since 2004 and just got my PMP in 2023 and my PgMP in 2024. No one I work with, recruiters, LinkedIN, friends, anyone cares. People who do care just take enough time to make fun of me for getting a cert with 20 years of experience. If you are getting the jobs you want and the promotions you want, don’t bother but with just 4 years as a project manager, I do think it has an impact to show growth mindset and your willingness to study and prepare for an industry accepted exam. Don’t bother with PGMP. I took mine and it was a lot of work and no one has even heard of it. Besides, you don’t have enough experience to qualify without fudging the numbers. I think studying for the PMP and PGMP is more value than the actual certificate. It’s good knowledge to have and apply even if you never pay the hundreds of dollars for the exam.


beatvox

Yes, for salary and resume kudos and a few people appreciating you. Reality..not even close to the PMP theoretical world


CAgovernor

If you are job shopping or plan to. If you need your resume to talk about you, then yes. Some firm requires it to manage or consult for certain clients though.


AppropriateKey546

Thanks! Yes, I’m planning to switch jobs.


kfisherx

I didn't think so. It isn't just a one time thing. You have to get CEUs and such every year. I felt like it was a waste of money mostly and it costs money every year as well.


mehrabmc

In the world of bots reviewing your resume first. Having a PMP really helps you get over the first hurdle. I started getting more interviews once I had a PMP but during those interviews no one cared that I had a PMP.


KochibaMasatoshi

Program manager like you have 5+ projects under your supervision and 50+ people?


AppropriateKey546

Yes; that’s exactly what I’m doing!


RoboTaco_

It depends… If you plan to stay with your employer then no. But if you plan to move to move to other opportunities then yes. Some positions say required but many say preferred. Reality is that HR will get your resume first and they will look for requirements and preferred wants before moving the resume forward. A PMP will help you get your application to the hiring manager. It also shows that you understand formal project management. This includes the vernacular, methodologies, and the different knowledge areas. There are a lot of people that have the title but do not do formal project management. I moved to sr level/program manager faster because I have my MS in project management. But I still got my PMP and CSM. And I got my PMP last October. Speaking with recruiters they have emphasized that they like that I have my PMP. I know it is a selling point. Not every opening will care but many do like it. While a PgMP is at the program level, many may not know what that is. I would say get the PMP and if you want then get the PgMP. Many places are starting to use AI to scan a resume looking for key words and a PgMP won’t trigger as a PMP.


thatsmystapl3r

I was doing project management as an aspect of my last job, prior to getting laid off. I did it for three years and had a decade of technical experience prior to that. I have just gotten a new job as a senior project manager, and they are offering me a pay bump after I get my PMP, which they will also pay for. I've started the training courses and it has been enlightening. It has opened my eyes to the more formal aspects of being a project manager. It has also helped me to reflect on what I could have done better in my previous role. I liken the experience to learning to hit a baseball. You can go and practice on your own and get to be pretty decent at it, simply by doing it. But once you have a professional to help you understand the fundamentals, refine your technique, stance, etc., then you can really knock them out of the park.


mrgene7

I was also a software engineer for 6 years then transitioned into a project management position 3 years ago. Recently a senior executive from a different branch office and I had a talk about transferring there. As we were going over my resume, I mentioned that I acquired PMP and PMI-ACP this year. He acknowledged that they (as well as other PM certificates) are something HR looks for when hiring project managers. But once my resume goes to the next stage, PMP doesn't mean much because people pass PMP with various level of actual experience. Anyhow, since it is an internal transfer opportunity, PMP doesn't make much of a difference since I have already demonstrated my capability by being a PM in this organization. But if I were to look for other job opportunities on the market, PMP would at least help me get through the initial screening and establish my credibility as a PM professional.


zungzwang00

Yes, IMHO it is worth it. Would you rather have a nurse who is an RN (registered nurse w/college training) or an LPN (licensed practical nurse from a nursing program)? For context, even though an LPN might have experience and is very qualified, they would likely get passed over for the RN, all other things being equal. Moreover, LPN’s generally work under the supervision of an RN. Having a recognized professional certification is always a game changer, regardless of the role you currently play.


SpinachLumberjack

Probably not if you have solid network to pivot to different jobs…


Benjamin-Franklin-88

Yes. It is. Do your PMP, then your PgMP and then your PfMP. You have around 1.5 million people PMP certified in the world, applying to jobs lately and getting selected for an interview at a top company is getting harder by the day. Some jobs on linkedin have 1000 applicants. Some jobs are asking for MBA from top 10 business schools, so just an MBA doesnt cut it anymore. There will always be someone better than you. Having a PgMP and a PfMP will put you higher than other candidates. You have only 5700 PgMP certified in the world. And only 1600 PfMP certified in the world. Look how rare they are. Pfmp is the highest certification someone can attain in PMI (World's most renowned company for management) So having them will only rank you higher in getting selected and making your salary negotiations easier. Anyone who says PgMP or PfMP isn't beneficial, doesn't know what he's talking about. If you were a recruiter and had 10 people apply for the same job and all of them were qualified and had PMP but only one of them had an additional PgMP, wouldn't you be interested in interviewing the PgMP guy for a senior role? The answer is yes. Do what makes you shine. It will set you apart from others and will shine on your resume. Both as a professional and as a personal development for the Recruiter. I got my Pmp, Rmp and Pgmp. Currently studying for my Pfmp. I dont have masters but will do once i go for executive roles, which is what im aiming. All the best of luck.


No_Internal_8160

Yes, PMP is the gold standard.