Topic: GPW!

[Pugnate]

When do you graduate? What are you studying? 

We must know this.

[gpw11]

Taking a second bachelor's in Project Manangement.  Graduation is a whole other question entirely.  I'm finishing up my last two classes and then I have to complete a 300 hour industry project before I can actually graduate.  I still haven't worked that one out, but I also need to apply for a credit audit for my first BA.  Lesson learned: plan your shit out ahead of time.

[Pugnate]

What is Project Management? Something related to a BBA?

[ren]

Second bachelors, eh. Did you get any credit for your first degree or did you have to do every elective and entry-level class again?

[gpw11]

What is Project Management? Something related to a BBA?

Sort of.  It's a Bachelor of Technology degree which pretty much amounts to a BBA focused on the construction and civil engineering industries.  Or, that's how they sell it at least.  In reality, it's kind of a shit show mesh of buisness, project controlling, and resource management.

Second bachelors, eh. Did you get any credit for your first degree or did you have to do every elective and entry-level class again?

Well, that's a shit storm waiting to happen.  I actually still need to get a credit audit for my first degree.  For the Project Management one, I got two years worth of general credit, which was an entrance requirement.  Although an undergrad degree, the requirements basically dictate that you have another degree or an insane amount of experience in a broad selection of categories from the fields it concerns itself with.  I got through before the credit audit for my BA because I did really well in the entrance interview and sold my work and buisness experience...probably more than what would have been honest of me.

The reason it may be a shitstorm is that I had to pull out of my studies in my BA because they have a policy regarding attending two schools at once....something I never considered since I was finishing the last few courses through correspondence.  I literally had one course left (I think) when I had that bomb dropped on me.   So, the problem there is I have to finish that degree first, because having another degree when I apply to graduate for my BA changes the requirements there (probably more the norm), but it doesn't with my Btech because it's expected. All it really changes is that I'd need to have half of my credits not applied to any previous degree, which I may end up having anyways, but I don't want to risk it.  So, what I'll probably do is withdraw from the Btech after these courses, apply to graduate with with my BA, and then reenroll in my Btech and do my graduation project....which is very very vague (kind of like a free form co-op where you need something to show at the end of it.  My program has something like a 40% immediate graduation rate because most start working and never do the project). 

So yeah, make sure you look into shit like this a lot before you actually go and do it.  Mind  you, my aversion to doing so has been a problem my whole life.

[Pugnate]

I had no idea there were policies regarding attending two schools at once.

All of that sounds pretty complicated though.

Anyway, I've never heard of anyone doing Project Management degree, which tells me you have a specific career in mind after you are done.

[iPPi]

A degree in project management?  That's kind of interesting.

Are you thinking about getting a PMP designation once you qualify for it?

[gpw11]

I had no idea there were policies regarding attending two schools at once.

All of that sounds pretty complicated though.

Anyway, I've never heard of anyone doing Project Management degree, which tells me you have a specific career in mind after you are done.

They're usually titled Construction Management or Project Management degrees (my program had a name change about a year ago). Not all that many schools offer them and I don't believe any offer them as a pure undergrad; all the programs I know of require work experience and a previous education. They're getting slightly more popular, however, as PPP projects and project delivery methods evolve and become more hands-on for large GCs and developers.   Traditionally, the route you'd take would have been an engineering degree or diploma (as most PMs have traditionally been engineers). With the way things are now, however, there's less of an emphasis on the engineering aspect (you obviously need to be able to communicate with engineers and must know some structural, but you don't need to be one yourself) and more on the buisness management, financial, and construction processes aspects.  Which makes sense since a PM is usually the person who connects those who specialize in those aspects of any project.

A degree in project management?  That's kind of interesting.

Are you thinking about getting a PMP designation once you qualify for it?

That would be the ultimate goal.  I believe I'd have all the classroom hours logged, and would need to obtain the necessary management requirements (either a project worth over $5mil. to completion or XXX hours).  As it stands I could probably apply for a Certified Associate in Project Management status.  I think.  I don't really know if there's a point though.

[Pugnate]

You are 28, right? I've been thinking of getting back and doing my masters, but age is definitely a barrier. I don't want to attend classes at the age of 30 when the average age for starting masters here is 21.

Yes 21.

Bachelors programs last 3 years and masters don't require work experience.

In Europe/North America you get a wide variety of age groups in classes. Not so here.

[gpw11]

29, but jesus, 21?  Still, it's probably a good idea and it's not like it'll be a huge deal.  I mean, the age range in my program was probably 25-45 and no one really thought differently about the guys at the upper range.