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Started By
Message
Could I become a project manager? Those with experience, have any advice?
Posted on 1/27/15 at 10:23 am
Posted on 1/27/15 at 10:23 am
I worked as a high school teacher for a while and now I'm in graduate school studying technical writing.
Someone in my class mentioned yesterday that project management and other management positions in a business are possible occupations for someone with my degree. Outside of getting an entry level position as a technical writer and working my way through other departments in a company, is it possible to pursue these kind of jobs with my degree?
If so, where should I start? What should I do now to prepare myself that isn't offered in my coursework?
Someone in my class mentioned yesterday that project management and other management positions in a business are possible occupations for someone with my degree. Outside of getting an entry level position as a technical writer and working my way through other departments in a company, is it possible to pursue these kind of jobs with my degree?
If so, where should I start? What should I do now to prepare myself that isn't offered in my coursework?
10
Posted on 1/27/15 at 10:24 am to StringedInstruments
I'm almost certain that a requirement is boobies. At least all the ones I've worked with were women.
Posted on 1/27/15 at 10:24 am to StringedInstruments
Go get a PMI and PMP
Posted on 1/27/15 at 10:25 am to StringedInstruments
Generally speaking, project managers have technical experience and work as a facilitator between the project, the clients, the company, and the eng/dev team...
You don't just "become" a PM.
You don't just "become" a PM.
Posted on 1/27/15 at 10:26 am to StringedInstruments
If you are a tech writer, configuration management and knowledge management might be a better fit for you.
Since you don't know what project management is, you can't just plop in as a pm.
Become a subject matter expert in a field and then start looking for pm jobs.
What type of tech writing are you in?
Since you don't know what project management is, you can't just plop in as a pm.
Become a subject matter expert in a field and then start looking for pm jobs.
What type of tech writing are you in?
Posted on 1/27/15 at 10:29 am to IT_Dawg
quote:
Go get a PMI and PMP
For someone with 0 experience? lulz at your post
Posted on 1/27/15 at 10:31 am to mahdragonz
quote:
If you are a tech writer, configuration management and knowledge management might be a better fit for you.
Have any links where I can read up on this? Or any other thoughts?
quote:
What type of tech writing are you in?
It's not really a specific type of tech writing. It's more of a communications degree that features a good bit of rhetoric and composition.
I'm extremely knowledgable in music and education. Have some experience in science writing and have a little bit of experience in the medical field.
I'm mainly trying to figure out what I'm going to use my degree for in the future. I entered thinking PhD and college professor, but I've decided against that. Now I want a job that pays well enough to not live paycheck to paycheck, offers benefits, and gives me time with my family. Just exploring options right now.
Posted on 1/27/15 at 10:32 am to jamboybarry
quote:
For someone with 0 experience? lulz at your post
Yeah I actually looked into taking one of the tests - PMP I think. Three years of experience at a minimum to be up for consideration.
Posted on 1/27/15 at 10:32 am to StringedInstruments
quote:
Could I become a project manager? Those with experience, have any advice?I worked as a high school teacher for a while and now I'm in graduate school studying technical writing.
Sure, or you could just go buy a pair of scrubs and a scalpel and be a surgeon.
Posted on 1/27/15 at 10:33 am to mahdragonz
Also, I don't know what field you are in, but in software dev, I will do everything possible to avoid having to deal with tech writers. They are almost always uniformly stupid and pedantic. One, the usually know nothing about software or how to write about it. Two, they spend a lot of time on grammar but almost never edit for clarity or conciseness. Three, they usually have a chip on their shoulder, like they should have been some great novelist, but drats, the kids have to eat.
They give me the shites and I make all of my technical employees submit a writing sample. Do yourself a favor and learn some tools or technical skills. You'll thank me in the long run.
They give me the shites and I make all of my technical employees submit a writing sample. Do yourself a favor and learn some tools or technical skills. You'll thank me in the long run.
Posted on 1/27/15 at 10:35 am to mahdragonz
quote:
Have any links where I can read up on this? Or any other thoughts?
Oh look.
another tech writer who doesn't want to research.
Oh look.
Water is wet.
Gawd, why do these programs even exist? Is it to cull the stupid and mediocre into one place?
This post was edited on 1/27/15 at 10:36 am
Posted on 1/27/15 at 10:36 am to yankeeundercover
quote:you would think that but im seeing more and more people getting hired that are "professional" PMs that dont know shite except the inside of the PMI textbook.... It hell working with them.
Generally speaking, project managers have technical experience and work as a facilitator between the project, the clients, the company, and the eng/dev team...
You don't just "become" a PM.
They are usually the types i like to call, Meeting Managers. For anything that comes up, which could be solved with 2 people having a 5 in phone call, they like to have a meeting about it which wastes everyone's time and kills the budget.
Posted on 1/27/15 at 10:38 am to mahdragonz
quote:
Oh look.
another tech writer who doesn't want to research.
Oh look.
Water is wet.
Gawd, why do these programs even exist? Is it to cull the stupid and mediocre into one place?
Did a tech writer steal your girlfriend?
Going onto a forum to seek out experienced and knowledgable people in a field to gather information is a form of research. Maybe you don't like your tech writers because you're an a-hole and a dolt.
This post was edited on 1/27/15 at 10:41 am
Posted on 1/27/15 at 10:47 am to StringedInstruments
Since you haven't been in the real world let me explain to you what you are too lazy to look up.
Documentation via tech comm is a frigging huge waste of time and money for a project. Ask anyone in engineering about what a waste of resources it is dealing with the likes of you.
Don't take it personally.
I've met a bunch of great qa, qp, cm, kp, ra, rm, metrics and planning people who started in tech comm and realized what a bs field it is and got the frick out.
It's usually some bullshite contract that makes a deliverable go through them. It's like extortion.
Documentation via tech comm is a frigging huge waste of time and money for a project. Ask anyone in engineering about what a waste of resources it is dealing with the likes of you.
Don't take it personally.
I've met a bunch of great qa, qp, cm, kp, ra, rm, metrics and planning people who started in tech comm and realized what a bs field it is and got the frick out.
It's usually some bullshite contract that makes a deliverable go through them. It's like extortion.
Posted on 1/27/15 at 10:50 am to mahdragonz
quote:
realized what a bs field it is and got the frick out.
And what exactly do you think it is that I'm trying to do?
Like I said, as evidenced by your flippant "you are too lazy" type of responses and evidenced by your inability to hold a civil conversation with someone you deem as beneath you, you come across as a-hole and a dolt.
Posted on 1/27/15 at 10:55 am to StringedInstruments
quote:
StringedInstruments
Found it.
quote:
I worked as a high school teacher for a while and now I'm in graduate school studying technical writing.
BA in English or similar?
quote:
Someone in my class mentioned yesterday that project management and other management positions in a business are possible occupations for someone with my degree. Outside of getting an entry level position as a technical writer and working my way through other departments in a company, is it possible to pursue these kind of jobs with my degree?
The PMP is far more important than the TW degree if you want to go this direction, but see below. Experience is everything now, so even with a PMP you'd be hard-pressed to make a relevant impact for a long time. It's sad really.
quote:
If so, where should I start? What should I do now to prepare myself that isn't offered in my coursework?
Take some steps back and answer these question: What do you like to do? What are you excellent at?
And go from there. The answer may not be TW or PM, but it's to start somewhere. And if you're request from the other thread indicates an English degree... I can certainly help.
Posted on 1/27/15 at 10:59 am to Freauxzen
quote:
And go from there. The answer may not be TW or PM, but it's to start somewhere. And if you're request from the other thread indicates an English degree... I can certainly help.
Bachelor's - Education - Language Arts
Master's - English - Rhet/Comp/Tech Writing conglomerate
I'm lost on how to use an English degree outside of teaching, writing (tech, fiction, or academic), or academia.
Posted on 1/27/15 at 11:02 am to StringedInstruments
quote:
'm lost on how to use an English degree outside of teaching, writing (tech, fiction, or academic), or academia.
not laughing at you, there are a ton of people that are in/have been in your shoes. These degrees are there just for people to get a degree then stay in school/teaching milking off everyone else. I wish this light was shed on the people going into degrees like that. But it isnt because the educators had degrees like that and think everyone they are teaching want to teach like them. I feel the only reason to get an English degree is to teach english.
This post was edited on 1/27/15 at 11:05 am
Posted on 1/27/15 at 11:07 am to StringedInstruments
quote:
Bachelor's - Education - Language Arts
Master's - English - Rhet/Comp/Tech Writing conglomerate
Awesome
To give you some context of where I come from:
BA - English, Literature
MA - English, Modern Studies
So probably less "job focused." I worked in education for a few years developing online programs of the state of LA (and adjunct teaching), then I jumped to a small tech startup working with colleges nationwide. Now, I'm working for an awesome EdTech SaaS company. I'm super lucky, but I'm pretty thankful for what English has done and how often it's relevant. I try to make that known. It also took me years to really KNOW what my skills are because, like I said, English departments are absolutely pitiful at it.
quote:
I'm lost on how to use an English degree outside of teaching, writing (tech, fiction, or academic), or academia.
quote:
Take some steps back and answer these question: What do you like to do? What are you excellent at?
I have some thoughts from what I see, but answer those first.
Posted on 1/27/15 at 11:13 am to CarRamrod
quote:
not laughing at you, there are a ton of people that are in/have been in your shoes. These degrees are there just for people to get a degree then stay in school/teaching milking off everyone else. I wish this light was shed on the people going into degrees like that. But it isnt because the educators had degrees like that and think everyone they are teaching want to teach like them.
I feel the only reason to get an English degree is to teach english.
I mean this with all due respect, but you're completely misguided. I'd like to use another word, but we're M/TV pals.
You've been duped by quite a few people to see things ONE way. That college is about "job specific" skills. Not knowledge in general.
quote:
I wish this light was shed on the people going into degrees like that.
And I wish people would put aside the modern thought that the only knowledge that matters is business, engineering, and math and science. Nothing could be further from the truth. And I'm just as good at my job, and better in some respects, than people around me. Mind you, I work on a team of 8 Business degree holders. I'm the lone English major.
quote:
I feel the only reason to get an English degree is to teach english.
Like I said, the fault of both the graduates and the departments.
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