TOPIC: Is PMP worth pursuing after an MBA?

I finished my MBA not too long ago and have been exploring ways to strengthen my profile in the project management space.

I looked into the PMP requirements and realized I’m only about 15 hours short of qualifying. I’m considering going for it to boost my credibility and stand out more in the PM job market.

Wondering if anyone here pursued PMP after their MBA. Thanks!

Carlo,

The PMP is a professional designation that, at its core, indicates you have both managed projects and know about formal project management. Your MBA is largely an educational degree and says nothing about your ability to manage anything other than taking exams and writing papers. Even the title MBA is misleading in the real world: Masters of Business Administration does not mean that you have mastered the administration of business.

Personally, I discount MBAs over PMPs for that simple reason. The PMP, at some level, indicates that you've actually accomplished (or attempted to accomplish) building something. That in and of itself says something about the person. Having an MBA does not say the same thing.

My 2-cents and other opinions may vary.

YES YES YES!

Carlo I would highly recommend pursuing your PMP. I was literally in the same scenario and the benefits of having both have been huge in my exponential career growth. Fresh out of school, your MBA will not carry as much weight as once you have 5-10 years work experience. Your PMP can provide IMMEDIATE career opportunities. As you grow in your career utilizing your PMP, opportunities for managerial or executive track positions will arise due to the credibility of your MBA. In tandem both of will open ALOT of doors as you age and grow through your career track.

Carlo,

This question gets asked a lot and the answer is: Yes, PMP is still valuable even after a Master's. In the eyes of some, it is more valuable, because it displays things you've actually done already and certifies you're an expert in the field.

A Master's degree is a huge deal and likely took much more effort. However, it's all theoretical. A PMP shows you've used your skills in practicality.

Hi Carlo,
As someone who decided to get a PMP certification several years after completing my MBA - my answer to your question is "Yes".
The reason is that the objectives of the two are drastically different.

A person can go through MBA learning all the core concepts academically of what it takes to run a successful business.
I got into Consulting after my MBA and I could make business plans, project financials and help organizations take strategic calls on which segments to enter into, based on the strength of my MBA degree. Some of my peers got into banking, either into quant intensive roles like risk modeling or into structuring complex products. Several other peers got into Marketing, which involves well, Marketing products and services
You get the gist..

But what an MBA teaches you is vastly different from what PMP teaches you. PMP ensures you are a "doer" not just a planner. It is a combination of the hard skills of organizing, coupled with the soft skills of constant negotiation with multiple stakeholders. PMP (and PM in practice) involves managing lots of real-life sticky situations, rather than only dealing with pure numbers or business plans.

This is not to say one is better than the other - just to say that you likely would come out of each of these with completely different skill sets.