Project Management Professional Certification: Is NOW The Time To Get One?

The construction industry is poised for a rebound. The stimulus plan at the hands of President Obama and Congress provides for $46 billion dollars of infrastructure projects. These projects include the building and maintenance of various interstate highways, bridges, roads, housing development, high-speed railway, etc.

In 2008, maybe 2007, around the time when the US economy began to sour, almost every state placed on hold large construction projects. On December 5, 2008, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials listed 5,148 highway and bridge projects totaling $64.3 billion. Yet, many plans had been completed and specifications already approved. The only thing that held the projects back was the lack of money. Unfortunately, tens of thousands were also layed off.

With the passing of the stimulus package, the funds for on-hold construction projects are expected to be available. And many of the highway and bridge projects are biddable within 180 days. That also means that construction can possibly begin within 12 months.

What does this means to you as a construction project manager? It means employment! There are many who have been out of work for quite some time and should feel some relief. But the rush to get back in will be competitive. So you're going to need as much advantage as possible.

If you're an unemployed construction project manager, while sending out resumés, you ought to consider getting a certification from the PMI (Project Management Institute). You can do this by passing their Project Management Professional Certification Exam (PMP Certification Exam).

The advantages of getting certified include showing a potential employer that (A) you're dedicated to your profession and (B) you're competent in the construction industry.

There are three ways you can prepare for the PMP exam:

1. Self-study books are available, such as PMP Exam Prep, Fifth Edition: Rita's Course in a Book for Passing the PMP Exam by Rita Mulcahy.
2. Classroom training. You can find a local class at PMI.org.
3. Enroll in an online pmp certification prep course. Several well-known universities offer them, including the University of Phoenix.

Courses are usually 3-5 days long. The do-it-yourself books can take as long as you want.

If you're not working, then the timing is perfect. The bulk of the jobs will not be created until a few months to a year from now. If you manage to get an interview while preparing for the PMP exam, you can beef up your interview by saying that you're getting ready for it. Potential employers will appreciate the dedication.

Lastly, if you're one of the lucky ones who haven't lost their job, you should consider getting certified as well. It's always good for upward mobility or if you want to move to another company. A certificate in project management can only have an upside.

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