Studying options for a Project Manager and aspiring leader?

[Pulse]

I'd really like to get back into some studying to support my career, but I am quite stuck on my options and best routes for progression.

To set some context, I'm a Programme Manager in the NHS, with a short history as a Project Manager (6 years) in the NHS primarily.

I'd like to move onwards and upwards, though have no real specific area I'm focussed on. If I stay with the NHS, I'd likely be looking to move to Assistant Director, to Director level in the future. If I went outside of the NHS... I'm not sure.

I have only basic qualifications, which despite my work experience, probably holds me back a bit. That isn't the reason I'd like to study though - I'd like to develop myself and grow as a professional and on a personal level.

All I've got currently is a BTEC qualification from college (many years ago), PRINCE2 Practitioner (a few years ago) and CIPS Level 4 (a couple of years ago).

I do know I don't want to be a Project Manager all my life. It's not that I'm not good at it, but I want to experience a lot and challenge myself as much as possible in life.

So I guess my question is two-fold...

1. What options do I have for study in terms of courses available which may suit what I'm looking for?
2. How difficult would it be to study certain areas part-time, on top of a quite demanding job?

I could continue my studies with CIPS, which is the 'easy' option. Blast through Level 5 and Level 6, then top this up with a Masters perhaps. It's easy to study at home, distance-learning, and it's a cheap way to get to a degree-level qualification. I don't currently work in this area at all though, having moved on to other things in the last year and a half, so it's quite irrelevant to my role.

I'd like something where I really get something out of it, and would like to do some classroom study.

Of course, I could also do Managing Successful Programmes to complement my PRINCE2, but I question its value based on my experience with PRINCE2.


Any advice/guidance would be really fantastic.

[rog007]

In simple terms; if you're staying in the NHS and aspire to be an AD and then a Dir then you should scan the NHS Jobs website and average out the essentials of the roles and the positions you would aspire to and then start picking up the competencies and qualifications required (a Masters is now essential for most of those roles). If you're looking to leave the NHS, my advice stands; look at the person specs of the roles you aspire to and then get the qualifications required. Good luck!

[Pulse]

rog007 said:

In simple terms; if you're staying in the NHS and aspire to be an AD and then a Dir then you should scan the NHS Jobs website and average out the essentials of the roles and the positions you would aspire to and then start picking up the competencies and qualifications required (a Masters is now essential for most of those roles). If you're looking to leave the NHS, my advice stands; look at the person specs of the roles you aspire to and then get the qualifications required. Good luck!

Cheers Rog. I've done a bit of digging around person specs for AD/D level posts, but even then in typical NHS fashion, they don't really give you much of an insight.

I'm already at the level where I should have a Masters, but have always gotten by on my experience. I have no strong concerns about progression without a degree, but would love to strengthen my applications, but importantly learn a lot more and make me a stronger person overall.

I'm not sure what courses could be useful for me, so would love some suggestions, especially of those who have had experience of particular management courses.

[rog007]

Some suggestions linked to healthcare outputs:

Masters in a healthcare management field (priority)
Member of IHM
Member of CIPD
Chartered Manager
Member of IoD; then take Chartered Director

Good luck!