Job Certs: PMP vs CCM

[doc holiday13]

I've had my PMP for about 10 years now. I used to be in IT because thats where the money was but the work wasn't doing it for me, so I went back to construction management. Been doing construction for 8 years now and started studying for the certified construction management.

Before anyone chimes in. Yes I understand teh body of knowledge(mostly in PMP world) doesn't fully apply in real world. But having these certs can and does impact how much money you receive or if you are passed over for a job application.

Is there anyone here who has both certs? If you have both, were the test equivalently hard? The CCM definitely has a lot more practical, field applicable practices; and so far, it seems that its easier but maybe I'm missing something?

 

[SloppyJ]

As a guy who would be in charge of hiring construction project managers from a municipal standpoint, the cert doesn't really do much for me. Maybe it's just not that big of a thing down here but I don't know many people with one. If I were interviewing someone and they had that, I would ask about the program and what they took from it but can't say it'd be a make or break type of thing for me. Typically, experience trumps all. I've seen too many people that look good on paper fail. Frankly, that's getting even more sketchy with AI. We live in a unique bubble here and have exposure to a lot of unique opportunities that seem to organically let the cream rise to the top.

Take that with grain of salt because it's always great to invest in yourself so I'd say go for it if it's something that you think would help you stand out and you can cleanly elaborate on why that sets you apart.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

As a guy who would be in charge of hiring construction project managers from a municipal standpoint, the cert doesn't really do much for me. Maybe it's just not that big of a thing down here but I don't know many people with one. If I were interviewing someone and they had that, I would ask about the program and what they took from it but can't say it'd be a make or break type of thing for me. Typically, experience trumps all. I've seen too many people that look good on paper fail. Frankly, that's getting even more sketchy with AI. We live in a unique bubble here and have exposure to a lot of unique opportunities that seem to organically let the cream rise to the top.

Take that with grain of salt because it's always great to invest in yourself so I'd say go for it if it's something that you think would help you stand out and you can cleanly elaborate on why that sets you apart.

I’ve been in IT, PM, and Quality for 17 years and agree.

OP- If you have 10+ years as a PM, and the construction background, this is going to trump any cert. for me as a hiring manager. The PM skills transfer to any industry. Certainly there are different specifics, but the methodology is the same.

I will more seriously consider a person with many years of real world experience over a newb with a fancy cert. every time.

 

[Rusty Shackelford]

In the exact same shoes as OP, following along. I was very disappointed the day I got my PMP to see my first email from PMI asking for more money. I’m afraid the CCM cert would be a similar racket.

 

[doc holiday13]

In the exact same shoes as OP, following along. I was very disappointed the day I got my PMP to see my first email from PMI asking for more money. I’m afraid the CCM cert would be a similar racket.

You don't need to be a "member" to maintain your PMP. Its just cost a few bucks more to renew it. I don't see a point in maintaining a membership. Maybe if I was looking hard at changing careers across state lines and I didn't have other options? My company will reimburse me for the cost to maintain my PMP. Also you can earn free PDU's on PMI's website. They have free webinars

 

[Rusty Shackelford]

You don't need to be a "member" to maintain your PMP. Its just cost a few bucks more to renew it. I don't see a point in maintaining a membership. Maybe if I was looking hard at changing careers across state lines and I didn't have other options? My company will reimburse me for the cost to maintain my PMP. Also you can earn free PDU's on PMI's website. They have free webinars

You’re correct, I was more pointing to the feeling I got that getting the PMP was just a scheme to try and get you to pay to play.