Which PMI Certification Is Right for My Career?

Certifications and credentials can set you apart from the competition. But which one will deliver the biggest boost to your career?

You want to take your career to the next level with a PMI certification. But how do you figure which one will give you the best career ROI?

Five project managers share their insights into why they decided to obtain their certification and how it has helped their career.

Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)^®
Consider it if: you’re an entry-level project practitioner who understands the fundamental knowledge, terminology and processes of effective project management.

To help him land a project management role, Alan Cowan, CAPM, obtained his CAPM^® certification in late 2007. He credits the move with helping him shift into a new career in the space and defense industry.

“The CAPM certification definitely helped to create more openings and opportunities in different industries to explore,” says Mr. Cowan, now a technical project manager at CACI International in San Antonio, Texas, USA. “I would strongly encourage mid- to high-level technical managers to pursue and obtain at a minimum the CAPM certification.”

Project Management Professional (PMP) ^®
Consider it if: you’re an experienced project manager with a demonstrated competence in leading and directing projects.

Ashraf Ahmed, PMP, wanted to work on projects related to international standards and specifications. And he knew that earning his PMP^® credential was one way for him to do just that.

Armed with the skills and demonstrated experience that came with obtaining his PMP credential in 2010, Mr. Ahmed says has been able to push himself further in his career.

“It gave me self-confidence in making decisions and solving conflicts during projects’ life cycles,” says Mr. Ahmed, project manager at Mondial Consultants in Khartoum, Sudan.

Not to mention that with his PMP came more responsibilities—and more money.

“Since I earned the PMP, my salary was raised almost 10 percent,” he says. “Earlier this year, I was the project manager who established the company’s project management office (PMO).”

Program Management Professional (PgMP)^®
Consider it if: you’re an advanced project practitioner who manages programs by defining multiple, related projects and assigning project managers to achieve strategic business goals.

Since earning his PgMP^® in 2008, Gangadhar Yasam, PMP, PgMP, says he feels more comfortable and confident in his role.

“Having exposure to more than one concept gives me a flexibility of adopting the best suitable approach for a specific situation,” says Mr. Yasam, delivery manager, Ford Technology Services India Ltd., Chennai, India.

“Sometimes, it also provides me an opportunity to think up an innovative hybrid model, which could lead to better and more efficient results.”

Mr. Yasam not only improves his project results, but his career prospects as well.

PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP)^®
Consider it if: you’re a skilled project practitioner with a special interest in assessing and identifying project risks, mitigating threats and capitalizing on opportunities.

Annette Suh, PMP, PMI-RMP, was looking for a credential that was focused on a specific area of project management.

“I needed a specialization,” says Ms. Suh, owner of Suh Consulting LLC in Seattle, Washington, USA.

So in May 2009, she took the exam for her PMI-RMP^® credential. “If someone has a background in governance and risk management, it’s basically a no-brainer that they should get their risk credential.”

In April 2011, Ms. Suh also earned the PMP. Since the PMI-RMP is relatively new, she says having both credentials has increased her visibility.

PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP)^®
Consider it if: you’re a skilled project practitioner with a special interest in developing and maintaining project schedules.

Shortly after earning the PMP credential in 2006, Patricia Di Cunto Bracco, PMP, PMI-SP, was promoted to the PMO. Seeing her organization struggle with preparing schedules, she earned the PMI-SP® credential in January 2011.

Her recent PMI-SP certification elevates the respect and credibility of her PMO team, says Ms. Bracco, project manager, PMO, Banco Bradesco S/A, São Paulo, Brazil.

“Changes in projects' schedules are very frustrating for the stakeholders because these changes frequently have consequences over the schedule of a large number of other projects, postponing the program's expected benefits,” she explains.

“I have improved my knowledge and skills to be more proactive when involved in this kind of situation, proposing alternatives and scenarios to avoid or to reduce the project delays.

Every PMI certification comes with its own benefits. Choose the ones that best fit your knowledge and experience — and gain a career advantage.