I welcome constructive critique, and I will happily edit and re-post.
For information about the CISSP and other IT certifications, see:
https://acp-advisornet.org/question/1021/it-certifications-and-how-they-can-help-veterans-get-into-the-it-field
Special thanks to Thomas Nadeau, a U.S. Air Force Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) and Civilian Lead Software Developer at a large firm. Thomas Nadeau first told me about the great programs offered at the Veterans Career Transition Program (VCTP) at Syracuse University. NCO's - the backbone of the military.
Thanks also to all others who contributed insights and information. We could not have put this together without all your help.
A PMP Checklist For Veterans: "How to Learn More About the Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification:"
* The VCTP program at Syracuse covers 100% free a PMP and other preparation courses AND one exam fee (100% free, Vets love free stuff ) for post 9/11/2001 Veterans. The same applies for many other certifications such as CISSP, CAPM, etc.
* Research, email, register and have a phone call with the good folks over at the "Veterans Career Transition Program" (VCTP) at Syracuse University. Schedule a call with one of the VCTP's guidance counselors. The VCTP is experienced in helping Military Veterans utilize their military experience to earn the PMP certification. The next deadline for guided admission is Aug. 26, 2013.
http://vets.syr.edu/education/employment-programs/
* Understand that there are many jobs in many different industries that value the PMP credential, and that the median salary of a PMP professional is over $100,000.
http://www.pmi.org/Professional-Development/Career-Central/Project-Manager-Salaries-on-the-Rise.aspx
* Learn more about jobs that mention the PMP credential, and review some of these over 13,000 job listings.
http://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=pmp&l=
* Read this article in full, and learn how a Military Veteran utilized their military experience to earn the PMP certification.
http://www.northalabamapmi.org/documents/papers/2009_Joe_Paschall.pdf
excerpt:
" "As I began the interview process it became obvious that a lot of interviewers I talked with were asking about a PMP certification. It took me by surprise because I had assumed that having an MBA and 20 years of management experience spoke for itself. I thought, certainly I was well prepared for anything.
However, I thought I better look further into the PMP since the lack of it seemed to represent a potential flaw in my resume, at least in the perception of some interviewers. Upon doing a little research with PMI, I discovered I already had the requisite experience and training – although in some ways it was really quite different as well. I was not in the acquisitions community of the military; and if you are not in that community – then you are typically in more of a functional organizational role versus a matrixed or projectized type of organization.
From my 20 years of military experience, although I had experience at higher levels of management, not all of it was in the direct management of projects or programs. I had to reach back within my experience to look at all of the things I managed that were actually called projects, or met the PMI definition of what constitutes a project.
Looking back over the past decade of military experience, it was not difficult to come up with the three years of experience needed for the PMP exam application. After being authorized to test, I got one study guide and prepared about 90 days for the PMP and passed the exam."
* Download and read the "PMP Credential Handbook" from PMI.org
http://www.pmi.org/certification/~/media/pdf/certifications/pdc_pmphandbook.ashx
* Read these threads on acp-advisornet.org. They discuss many facets of the PMP certification and the value of earning the PMP credential.
https://acp-advisornet.org/profile/comments/3880/answers
https://acp-advisornet.org/question/904/training-opportunities-for-army
https://acp-advisornet.org/questions/topic/certifications
https://acp-advisornet.org/questions/topic/project-management
https://acp-advisornet.org/questions/topic/pmp
https://acp-advisornet.org/questions/topic/pmi
* Join your local PMI chapter. Reach out to the chapter using both email and phone. Attend meetings. Ask how you can help.
http://www.pmi.org/Get-Involved/Chapters-PMI-Chapters.aspx
e.g.
http://www.pmihouston.org/
* Request a mentor and advisor from your local PMI chapter. Many chapters offer organized mentoring programs.
e.g.
http://www.pmiaustin.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=458&Itemid=159
http://pminyc.org/content/mentoring-program
http://www.meetup.com/pmi-sfbac/
* Research, email, register and have a phone call with the good folks over at the "Veterans Career Transition Program" (VCTP) at Syracuse University. Schedule a call with one of the VCTP's guidance counselors. The VCTP is experienced in helping Military Veterans utilize their military experience to earn the PMP certification. The next deadline for guided admission is Aug. 26, 2013.
http://vets.syr.edu/education/employment-programs/
* Begin the PMP application process. Document work experience, etc. Ask for help along the way.
* Keep us updated and report what you learn, so YOU can help other Veterans. You might be an officer or NCO. Stand up and be part of the solution.
* Ask for help and assistance here and on other boards. But please also be eager and ready to offer help to your fellow Veterans. Read prior posts on this and other boards. Use The Google, Bing and Yahoo. Yes, ask for help, but read prior posts, use the Internet to research your questions. Come back and use what you learn and accomplish in order to help other Veterans.
#########
Some un-organized notes. These are other resources mentioned in posts related to the PMP:
* try community colleges
* contact an active duty or National Guard education office
* State organizations have specific funding to ( in MN it is http://www.hired.org/ or the Department for Employment and Economic development)
* Tuition Assistance Programs
http://www.armytimes.com/article/20130410/EDU02/304100001/Army-restores-tuition-assistance
* VA's Vocational Rehab might cover cost if Veteran is service disabled.
* https://www.cool.army.mil/search/CERT_PMP2741.htm
* G.I Bill (Post 9/11 G.I. Bill will cover the expenses of the coursework,)
http://www.gibill.va.gov/resources/education_resources/programs/licensing_and_certification.html
* Army eLearning Courses (Note: Only Active Army, Army National Guard, Army Reservists, Army ROTC
Cadet III and IV, and Dept of Army civilians are authorized to register for this program.)
https://usarmy.skillport.com/skillportfe/custom/login/usarmy/login.action?path=usarmy/UsArmyLoginAction
*VRAP
http://benefits.va.gov/vow/education.htm
* The VCTP program at Syracuse covers 100% free a PMP and other preparation courses AND one exam fee (100% free, Vets love free stuff ) for post 9/11/2001 Veterans. The same applies for many other certifications such as CISSP, CAPM, etc.
* Research, email, register and have a phone call with the good folks over at the "Veterans Career Transition Program" (VCTP) at Syracuse University. Schedule a call with one of the VCTP's guidance counselors. The VCTP is experienced in helping Military Veterans utilize their military experience to earn the PMP certification. The next deadline for guided admission is Aug. 26, 2013.
http://vets.syr.edu/education/employment-programs/
End
Answers
Joseph F. Paschall, Executive Director at Advanced Systems Development, Inc. writes in the MC4 LinkedIn group:
"Thinking of PMP? Why not PgMP?
There is a lot of discussion about PMI's Project Management Professional (PMP) being the best overall cross-industry certification for anyone wanting to have the title "manager". This is absolutely true and this is the best first step. However, don't just stop there because moving a little farther to the Program Management Professional (PgMP) is a great way to differentiate yourself from the pack. There are currently around 1 million PMPs in the world and less than 1000 PgMPs. Granted you need roughly 4 years more management experience to apply for PgMP, but it is just another multiple choice exam (albeit a hard one). I passed the PMP exam on transition after 90 days of study with a single study guide (no expensive prep course) and 6 months later I passed the PgMP exam after 120 days prep with 2 study guides (still no expensive prep course). These are hard exams, but not at all insurmountable. There is significant value in being one of the few in your geo area to hold a cert, and the PgMP offers you that potential exclusivity. In my area there are 3 of us, when I was with Northrop Grumman there were only 3 of us in the entire global corporation. Pursuing an exclusive cert creates some instant positive visibility and helps break you out of the pack.
Incidentally, PMI just recently announced an even higher cert- the Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP) and I have already submitted my application for the Pilot Program. If you are going to play the cert game well, you have to be prepared to always stay ahead of the game and never rest on your laurels. And we all thought exams ended after college....."
see also:
How to Translate your Military Operational Experience into Civilian Project Management Experience
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-translate-your-military-experience-project-eric-wright-phd-pmp?goback=%2Egde_4466143_member_5949361769087524864
How to translate your military operational experience into civilian project management experience
https://www.linkedin.com/groupItem?view=&gid=4466143&type=member&item=5951847404205522946&trk=groups_most_recent-0-b-ttl&goback=%2Egde_4466143_member_5949361769087524864%2Egmr_4466143#!
The next deadline for the VCTP guided track is in July 2014. Consider applying or schedluing a call with VCTP soon. Certifications offered include IT, HR, Quality, Operations and Project Management.
This is an awesome detailed resource. I am torn between technical and PMP certs. When I joined worked in technical fields but now that I am a Chief I don't do much technical work more managing of personnel. I just don't know which way to go.
This information looks great, and I am encouraged to see that there are people who care. However, I am a disabled vet who got out in 1997. I am currently unemployed and have been for nearly 5 months. I am finding more and more that benefits for those of us who served after Vietnam but before 9/11 are few and far between. Voc Rehab said I can use their program to go back to school, which is great, but I REALLY need help finding a job NOW. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
All,
Although you can pass the PMP exam without taking a prep course, it is not easy. If you have several months to devote to studying, then go for it as Joe did and you should be fine.
However, if you do not have the time to devote to studying or if you want to get your certification quickly, I would strongly recommend you take a PMP prep course. The link in Tom's post for a free prep course would eliminate the need for out of pocket expenses.
I recently had a conversation with a testing proctor who told me that most people take the PMP three or four times before passing. At 4 hours and >$400 each time, this is not something I would recommend. I took a one-week prep course and passed the exam on the first try the week after I took the prep course. The company that gives the prep course also guarantees to pay for exam retake if you don't pass on the first try.
Best of luck to you all!!
Chris Jones, PMP
All,
I attended a PMI chapter meeting yesterday and heard that there is a new credential being introduced; Business Analyst. It will be finance and business systems oriented. Look for it on the PMI.org website!
Tom,
Great job with the checklist!
Sue Carr, PMP
Tom,
Thank you for the great knowledge you passed on. I am about to embark on resourcing and completing my PMP. I will post my expereince, for others to utilize!
Also, if veterans are not aware, Syracuse will also fund Veteran Spouse's to receive PMI certifications...Great Program!!
Marco
Tom,
This is excellent! Thank you for taking the time and everything you are doing.
An update from Brandin:
"A new strategy led me to a new outlook."
Brandin P. Lea
Established Project Manager | Junior Business Analyst | IT Consultant | Military Veteran
"I first wanted to start off by apologizing to everyone here on this board that I have not been very active in the last couple of weeks. ..."
Tom - this is fantastic! I'm going to pass it along.
Brandin - You're welcome. Let us know how else we can help, and please keep us updated so other Veterans can learn from your success. -Tom
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