All posts by Kaitlyn Sussex

Project Management Careers: 2018’s Hot Job

Project Management Careers Earning Power
Career News, Employment Preparation,

Project management careers are in demand in areas such as telecom, finance, healthcare and more, according to the Project Management Institute’s jobs report.

Early this year, the Project Management Institute released their annual Jobs Report article, as a part of their PM Network magazine. The article, written by Kate Rockwood, takes an in-depth look at the current global economy, the talent gaps, and the outlook for project management careers. In this article, we’ll recap the Jobs Report, broken down by industry sectors, and share some of SPC’s resources that could help you land a job in the field.

Learn more about why you need a certification in project management.

Project Management Careers: Telecom Sector

It probably doesn’t come as a surprise that the telecom industry is booming. This is largely because companies are looking to push mobile connectivity. This boom spreads to all types of telecom sectors, including companies that manufacture devices, the network carriers, and the actual telecom infrastructure companies, according to Deloitte’s 2017 Telecommunications Industry Outlook.

According to Manuel Salero Coca, PMP, program manager director, Latin America, Huawei Technologies Co., Mexico City, Mexico, “Telecom organizations are increasingly looking for project managers who are masters of change management, transformation and agile approaches. The best thing that project managers can do today to get hired is to learn about adjacent industries and practices and be open and flexible enough in their skills to drive projects that might look radically different than ones they’ve managed in the past.”

Project Management Careers: Finance Sector

A 2017 survey done by Accenture indicated that “the right talent is sorely needed to provide value from projects” in the financial industry. According to the Jobs Report, “80 percent of financial services organizations (are) investing significantly or moderately in new digital technologies or channels” and “nearly 30 percent of financial services executives believe traditional financial institutions will be the most disruptive entity over the next five years, while startups are launching more fintech projects that focus on personal loans and personal finance,” as indicated by a 2017 PwC study.

Project Management Careers: Construction Sector

In 2016, this sector was quite tepid. However, the pace picked up in 2017 and the Jobs Report anticipates that pace will continue in 2018. Although this is good news, there is a major talent challenge in this sector. “24 out of 43 markets are suffering a skills shortage, up from 20 markets last year. Organizations in the 11 countries surveyed will need to fill an additional 9.7 million project-oriented positions through 2027 within the construction and manufacturing sector,” PMI’s Talent Gap report predicts.

To find out more information about SPC Workforce Institute’s manufacturing training programs, please click here.

Project Management Careers: IT Sector

A large portion of the IT section of this article focuses on cybersecurity and data breaches, given the current climate and regular occurrence of major threats to data. Cisco’s 2017 Annual Cybersecurity Report indicated that “over the past 10 years, the volume of vulnerability alerts has climbed 33 percent” and “more than one-third of organizations that experienced a breach reported customer opportunity or revenue loss of more than 20 percent.”

Due to the increased risk to security, the Cisco survey indicates “90 percent of organizations that faced recent threats have or are now launching projects to improve defenses.” With such a large increase in security-related projects, there is bound to be some shortages when it comes to staffing skilled project-related staff. The PMI Jobs Report states that “nearly 75 percent of IT organizations say that recruiting for these initiatives is tough.”

To find out more about SPC Workforce Institute’s IT training, please click here.

Project Management Careers: Healthcare Sector

Although the healthcare industry has dealt with complex issues in recent years, healthcare had the biggest percentage increase in project-oriented jobs from 2017-2027 with an increase of 17 percent in job openings, according to the PMI Talent Gap Report.

Another important point noted in the Jobs Report is the importance of IT becoming increasingly important in healthcare. They indicate that this can be related to members of society being more interested in quick access to their records and data, such as filling medications in an app or using telemedicine for follow-up visits. This demand proves that individuals who have a mix of both healthcare and IT experience are of utmost value in project-related healthcare positions.

Project Management Careers: Aerospace and Defense

Although there has been an increase in defense projects and commercial aircraft production over the last year, the Jobs Report indicates that project managers in this sector should also be aware of possible increases in job opportunities related to drone projects (also known as unmanned aerial vehicles or unmanned aircraft systems). The report states that “by 2020, the drone market will hit US$100 billion, driven largely by their leap to the consumer market and their applications in everything from farming and firefighting to retail delivery and hobby flights.”

To find out more information on the SPC Workforce Institute’s drone training, please click here.

Resources for Project Management Careers

As we take all the information we learned in the 2018 PMI Jobs Report and couple it with the increase in project management careers in Tampa/St. Petersburg/Clearwater, it’s easy to be interested in starting or advancing in this area. One of the best ways to do this is by getting project management specific training and earning one of PMI’s certifications, such as the Project Management Professional (PMP).

That’s where St. Petersburg College comes in.

  1. If you’re not looking for a degree:

Project Management Fundamentals (Non-Degree) Training

Offered by: SPC’s Workforce Institute

Click here for more information

PMP/CAPM Project Management Certification Exam Prep Course (Non-Degree)

Offered by: SPC’s Workforce Institute

Click here for more information

  1. If you’re looking for a degree

Project Management Bachelor’s Certificate

Click here for more information

About SPC’s Workforce Institute

At SPC’s Workforce Institute, we pride ourselves in offering a trusted suite of services and options that are affordable and accessible to both individuals and organizations.

For goal-oriented individuals and businesses committed to accelerated professional growth, the Workforce Institute offers training, continuing education, industry certifications, licensures and career pathways. Our industry experts teach you the skills that local employers are looking for to get ahead in project management careers and many other fields.

Benefits of Workforce Institute programs

Through our workforce programs, you can:

  • Complete courses in as little as a few hours or opt for more extensive training
  • Update current skills
  • Earn Continuing Education Units (CEU)/Professional Development Units (PDU)
  • Participate in one of our exam prep courses for in-demand certifications
  • Earn industry certifications in just a few weeks
  • Continue into a degree program at SPC
  • Obtain new skills through certificate programs
  • Learn a new language

To learn more about SPC’s Workforce Institute, please click here or call (727) 341-4445.

Follow us on Twitter at #workforcespc

What Does the Future Hold for Careers in Project Management?

Career Exploration, Employment Preparation

As we venture into 2017, many people have taken the time of resolutions and new beginnings to take a look at their career. How can I earn more money? Is this the right path for me? Will this job even be here in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years? In light of these questions and an ever-changing workforce, the Project Management Institute® (PMI) has released their 2017 Jobs Report to let us know what the future of this career looks like.

“In an increasingly competitive market, organizations will have to lower their margins to win contracts. That creates a high demand for project professionals who have the skills to efficiently manage projects.”

-Brandon Lane, PMP, general manager, distributed energy projects, Duke Energy, Charlotte, NC

Over the last ten years, the economy in the United States has suffered from many trials and tribulations, but has recently at-a-glancebegan to recover. According to the Jobs Report, the unemployment rate peaked at 10% in 2009 and dropped to below 5% in the last year. This rate is the lowest it has been in 9 years. With this upswing in jobs, project management professionals have become a more valuable entity in a multitude of different industries, focused heavily in IT, construction, healthcare, and financial services. Seeing the most growth has been project managers in the IT and construction industries, with an expected growth of roughly 6% by 2024, as stated by the U.S. Department of Labor.

industry-advantage

As the Jobs Report reads on, the emphasis of the right credentials, training, and skill set becomes evident. It states that “having the right credentials can help you get recognized- and command a better salary. The Project Management Professional (PMP) ® certification is one of the top seven highest-paying certifications.” St. Petersburg College has recognized the demand for this certification and is now regularly offering an in-person PMP Certification Exam Prep Course, available as a non-degree seeking course, designed to provide the knowledge and the educational hours required to sit for the exam. More information on the course can be found here.

earning-curve

To learn more about why you need a certification in project management, click here.

Additionally, SPC has added a class on Project Management Fundamentals, that is designed for those who are brand new to the world of project management or are looking to manage their current work-life challenges better. This class is recommended to be taken prior to the prep class, if you are new to the formal world of project management. More information can be found here.

In a world where the job market is facing a technological rev olution, it is important to be consistently observing the world around you and doing the planning and research you need to make sure to stay a highly valued employee. With a career outlook and career opportunity that is “outpacing other sectors”, project management could be the hidden gem of the world’s future job market.

For more information on St. Pete College’s upcoming project management certification trainings, professional development trainings, and skills upgrades classes, please visit www.spcollege.edu/workforceinstitute. The class list can he found here. Want to talk through your past work experience and future goals with one of our career specialists? Give us a call at (727) 341-4445 or email us at workforce@spcollege.edu.

Source: The Project Management Institute, 2017 Jobs Report

3 reasons why you need a Project Management Certification and how to get it

Project managers
Employment Preparation

1Project management across the United States is an extremely diverse and growing industry.  By 2020, there will be an expected 6.2 million jobs for certified project managers, which is about a 12% increase from today’s market.

The Tampa Bay area alone has experienced a 38% growth in job postings for project managers since 2012 and is expected to continue to rise. Of these jobs, the number of project manager job postings in the Tampa Bay area listing a Project Management Professional Certification or PMP as “required” or “preferred” is dramatically increasing.

Why do you need a certification in project management?

  1. It opens the door to more job opportunities in project management

Project Management is a booming industry. By 2020, there’s anticipated to be 6.2 million jobs for certified project managers, which is about a 12% increase from today’s market, according to the Project Management Institute (PMI).

  1. You’re able to increase your salary by more than 20%

According to the Project Management Institute, project managers with a PMP learn approximately 22% more annually than project managers without one. This percentage increases with experience.

  1. You can distinguish yourself as a specialist

Project management is an extremely diverse field, and project managers can be utilized on nearly any part of a business team in many industries. Given the variety of job and career opportunities, there are certifications available to demonstrate your specialized project management knowledge.

Here are the certifications that PMI offers:

  • Project Management Professional (PMP)
  • Program Management Professional (PgMP)
  • Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP)
  • Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
  • PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)
  • PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)
  • PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP)
  • PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP)

How to get a certification in Project Management

In order to sit for one of PMI’s certification exams, you must meet certain minimum criteria. A key criteria requirement is to meet a minimum amount of hours of project management education. One of the best ways to receive this education is by attending a certification exam prep class in your area.

Project Management Certification Exam Prep Classes (PMP/CAPM) in Pinellas County and Tampa Bay

At SPC’s Workforce Institute, we offer project management certification exam prep classes and training for non-degree seeking students in the Tampa Bay area interested in either the Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification or the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) Certification. These classes are designed to prepare professionals to sit for and pass the PMI Certification exam(s).

The course(s) also meet the educational hour requirement needed to sit for the PMP and/or CAPM Certification exam(s).

  • Click here to see upcoming class dates
  • Location #1: St. Petersburg College EpiCenter, 13805 58th Street North, Clearwater, Florida 33760
  • Schedule #1: Every Saturday for 6 weeks from 8:30 am-3:30 pm (1 hour for lunch)
  • Location #2: St. Petersburg College Downtown Campus, 244 2nd Ave N, St Petersburg, Florida 33701
  • Schedule #2: Every Monday and Wednesday for 6 weeks from 6:00 pm -9:00 pm
  • PMI Educational Hours Earned: 36 hours

Funding assistance is available. Students may also be eligible to receive a one-year membership to the Project Management Institute (PMI) Florida Suncoast Chapter.

For more information regarding upcoming prep classes or project management training, please contact us at workforce@spcollege.edu or (727) 341-4445.

For the dates of our upcoming PMP Certification Exam Prep Class and CAPM Certification Exam Prep Class, please click here.

In partnership with the Project Management Institute’s Florida Suncoast Chapter:
PMI

 

Source: www.pmi.org

 

 

 

 

2016 Technology Career Fair

Men shaking hands at a career fair
Events

The Workforce Institute at St. Petersburg College is hosting a career fair for technology students and professionals.

2016 Technology Career Fair

Wednesday, June 8th

2:00-5:00pm

SPC EpiCenter

13805 58th St. N.

Clearwater, FL

This free event is open to all SPC students and the community! 

Pre-register for the Career Fair here: http://web.spcollege.edu/survey/21214

Tech image

Prior to the Career Fair, current SPC students are invited to a Resume Presentation from Kelly Stoker from TEK Systems and Technology Panel Discussion from 12:30-1:30pm in Epicenter Room 1-324. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.  To RSVP for the Resume Presentation and Panel Discussion, go to this link http://web.spcollege.edu/survey/21466

Before you go…

  • Know which employers are attending.
  • Have plenty of copies of your resume ready. You might need to prepare more than one version.
  • Prepare a 20 to 30 second introduction to use with employers.
  • Prepare questions in advance.

Come…

  • Dressed to impress.
  • Be prepared for an on-the-spot interview.

Participating Companies:

During the Technology Career Fair, Scott and Lisa Huetteman from Find My Perfect Job  will be podcasting live for their JOBSEEK Radio show.

For more information contact Fred Tucker, Workforce Institute Job Coordinator, at 727-791-2409 or tucker.fred@spcollege.edu.

 

SPC EpiCenter holds hands-on Drone Training

Man with drone controller
Career Exploration, Events,

On Saturday, April 30, eleven SPC students completed a hands-on Unmanned Ariel Systems (UAS)/Drone class.  The course was taught by Mark Mansour, adjunct professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Unmanned Aircraft System teacher at Clearwater High School. Additionally, five of Mark’s high school students who currently hold the UAS Safety Certification were on hand to assist.

The morning classroom session included topics on: FAA airspace regulations, safety, appropriate use, weather, resources for operators and simulation flights to prepare the students for the hands-on component of the training.  The afternoon session included: pre-flight inspection checklist, standard callouts, takeoff, basic flight maneuvers and landing.

Everyone who took the class agreed that they had a great experience and are looking forward to expanded classes in this growing industry.

Mark Mansour spoke highly of the class participants.  “You are all amazing, I was very pleased with your level of understanding and the flight operations,” he said.

Drone2

Class participants weigh in

Mark Santos said, “I have taken many adult education classes, varied in the complexity of subject matter.  Most courses of this type are taught or facilitated by someone in the corresponding field of study.  That being said, it was truly a pleasure to have an instructor that met or exceeded my expectations for an adult type class and was a true and excellent ‘Educator.’ All in all, an excellent class!”

Arlon Johnson also was pleased with class. “I am very satisfied with this course. Extremely informative. Thanks again for an excellent presentation and hands-on flying experience.”

The next UAS / Drone Overview course is scheduled for

Saturday, June 11   8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

SPC EpiCenter

To register call: 727-791-2409

Over the next 10 years, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) or drones are expected to create more than 100,000 jobs with an economic impact of $82 billion. Florida stands to benefit more than almost any other state as new regulations will bring 3,000 new jobs and $632 million in economic impact to the state by 2017, according to the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International.  Career opportunities for students with drone training include business-entrepreneurship, military drone pilot, firefighter, disaster relief, search and rescue, law enforcement, oil and gas operations, border patrol, agriculture, package delivery, forestry, engineering, computer science, real estate, film and photography, and other industries.

For more information about SPC UAS/Drone Courses classes, contact Fred Tucker, Workforce Institute Job Coordinator, at 727-791-2409 or tucker.fred@spcollege.edu.

Small Business Week comes to SPC’s Workforce Institute

St. Petersburg College Epicenter
Career Exploration,

To celebrate national and local small business weeks, The Workforce Institute at St. Petersburg College is celebrating the growth of small businesses in the Tampa Bay area. The Workforce Institute will be hosting free “Speaker Series” events at the SPC EpiCenter throughout Small Business Week, May 2 – 5.  These are events that strive to further educate and enrich Tampa Bay’s small business community.

List of Events:

“Just Do It! Differently!” Sheryl Nicholson, CSP

Monday, May 2

7:30 – 8:30 a.m.

This event will help business owners learn the best way to build a business from the get-go. Nicholson will cover topics such as building your network and hiring right the first time. Her current training clients include the Central Intelligence Agency, the Center for Disease Control and AT&T.  Breakfast is included.

Click here to register today!

“Technology and the Future, Today” Chris Krimitsos, Founder of Tampa Bay Business Owners

Thursday, May 5

11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

This event will cover how to spot trends and earn revenue based on having awareness of trends and demands. Tampa Bay Business Owners strives to provide resources to grow their members’ companies and to be a community-driven incubator for business ideas, resources and action.  Lunch is included.

Click here to register today!

“LinkedIn for Business Owners” Bonnie Dye, Internet Expert

Thursday, May 5

5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

This event will teach business owners and entrepreneurs about how to best utilize their LinkedIn network to grow their business. Dye has been ranked one of LinkedIn’s Top 5 Nationwide Trainers on various internet-related topics.  Dinner is included.

Click here to register today!

All events are free and open to the public. Meals are included. Pre-registration is preferred. Seating is limited.

The Workforce Institute at St. Petersburg College houses many different resources for not only small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs, but for adults in the workplace as well. Ranging from certifications in areas such as Project Management, Quickbooks, and CompTIA, to professional development classes, such as maneuvering a multi-generational workplace, professional leadership series, and resume building workshops. Additionally, our Corporate Training team is able to provide fully-customizable training options to companies looking to further the skills and knowledge of their employees.

For more information on the Small Business “Speaker Series” or all that The Workforce Institute and Corporate Training has to offer, please visit www.spcollege.edu/workforceinstitute or call (727) 341-4445.

 


 

Encore Connect: A second-career roadmap event for individuals over 50

Encore connect art
Career News,

St. Petersburg College’s Workforce Institute is a proud sponsor of Encore Connect: Your Roadmap to What’s Next, an event to explore the ways people 50+ can redefine retirement, find new purpose and do meaningful work in a second career.

Many Tampa Bay workers, as they enter mid-life, are struggling to land a job.  Some of the challenges may be:

  •  Finding the right resources for retooling their career
  •  Looking at starting a business
  • Deciding between a full-time versus part-time work
  • Figuring out the best way to connect to non-profits for volunteerism or paid jobs

According to AARP, 70 percent of adults over 50 have decided to work beyond the age of 65 in some capacity.  In fact, the fastest growing age group of entrepreneurs is age 55 and 65, with over 45 percent of all entrepreneurs between the ages of 45 and 65.

Encore Connect is set for Wednesday, March 16, 4-7 p.m. at University of South Florida St. Petersburg.   It will provide baby boomers with an opportunity to learn from national leaders and connect to local resources for education, entrepreneurship, volunteering, job searches and transitioning to their individualized “encore.” This event will allow attendees to experience:

  • Gain information on all of the second-career certification programs that SPC’s Workforce Institute has to offer
  • Learn from nationally recognized career expert Kerry Hannon
  • Receive a copy of Kerry Hannon’s book, Getting the Job You Want After 50 for Dummies
  • Connect with local experts and resources
  • Experience “skill blitzes” and “mentor moments”
  • Network with like-minded individuals

To learn more about Encore Tampa Bay and to register for Encore Connect, visit EncoreTampaBay.com.  Registration is $40 ($50 after Feb. 26).

For more information regarding second-career certification programs available through St. Petersburg College’s Workforce Institute, please visit us online at spcollege.edu/workforce.