Is project management the right path for me?

Question

I own my business for almost 5 years now. I have a BA in Business (but no technical skills). I worked in the corporate field for almost 12 years but I don't have any management experience.

I don't want to remain in this place for the rest of my life. I want to grow into a management position. So I'm thinking about project management, but is it for me? I mean, according to my profile, do you think it would be wise for me to get into project management? (without any IT education)

Answer 1

According to your profile, I don't think that project management is right for you and this is mainly for two reasons:

- You are running your own business: Usually when people start running their own businesses they become very uncomfortable taking instructions from others. Project management, in case you don't know this, is more about getting instructions from others (often instructions that you aren't comfortable executing) than giving instructions to others. As a project manager, you will report to many people, including your project sponsor and other stakeholders.

- You have worked for 12 years in the corporate world but you don't have any management experience. This means that the corporate world has judged you (and sorry for my honesty) unfit for being a manager.

I suggest you expand your business and maybe someday you will need to hire a project manager yourself!