I’m currently pursuing an Econ(Hons) degree and have nearly completed a Data Analytics and Business Intelligence certification. I’m now looking to add Project Management to my skillset and would really appreciate your advice.
I’m considering a few certifications: CAPM, CSM, or possibly the Google Project Management cert. I’m also a bit unclear on Agile/Scrum – could anyone explain what that entails and how it fits in?
Beyond Project Management, I’m also interested in:
Supply Chain (CSCP certification)
Lean Six Sigma (Green/Yellow Belt – not sure what this is, or if it’s relevant)
Financial Modeling and Analysis (further down the line)
I have complementary skills from using power automate/query and college skill courses in leadership, coms, digital marketing and financial literacy.
I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the options.
Any advice you can offer would be incredibly helpful.
Thanks!
P.S. For context, I’m based in India and studying at Ramanujan College, Delhi University.
Focus on university course over “private certication” which are often full of bullshit and paid by companies anyway. The foundation you learn is what stays valid no matter what’s the technique you use.
To give a word on agile, it’s about having shorter development cycles and more intermediate release which are used by actual users. It works well in prototyping phase (when you have proper tools) and in software. However, many PM end-up making agile heavier more complicated/heavy than regular cycle with daily stand-up meeting and boards full of post-it. I would advise going in these type of projects without some technical background.
Also note that while project management looks cool (and is a way to grow your carrer quickly) it’s a field where you deal with a lot of bullshit out of your control. A person is sick for the week ? How do your re-organize the project ? A truck delivering a critical part has an accident ? How do you deal with it The certification lab asks finds that your cable at the European fire safety norm but not the US ones (or the other way around ? ) adding two month delay to change everything ? How do you announce the customer that the final delivery is postponed due to some paperwork ? You often end-up sitting between the engineer knowing what needs to be done, the upper management cutting down the budget and the customer wanting more. So not a job for everyone
Thanks for the frank and practical advice about project management and certifications.
The Scrum Master role does sound like it leans more towards a computer science background, given the close involvement with development teams.
My current certification (Data Analytics and BI) was pursued because they’re offered through my college (which is a well-reputed, government-run Delhi University institution), and a professor I’m close with recommended them. It felt like a solid, vetted opportunity, not just a random private cert.
I get that project management has its share of headaches, like you said, but the core parts – handling unexpected problems, being adaptable, and keeping everyone happyish – are things I think I can handle. That makes it a good option, along with consulting for me.
But now I’m at a crossroads. Should I focus on project management, supply chain management (which I’m also interested in), or both. That’s where I’m really stuck – figuring out which direction and what certs to pursue. Any thoughts on that front would be great. I apprecite the bluntness.