January 25, 2020

Rolando Salvatierra was looking to gain knowledge and diversify his resume while opening new career opportunities when he enrolled in the University of Central Missouri’s (UCM) Project Management Professional (PMP) Prep Course last fall.

A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy who served in Hawaii and Afghanistan, Salvatierra was among 18 adults completing this 10-week course during fall 2019. Offered at UCM’s Lee’s Summit campus, the class is designed to prepare adults for the industry-recognized PMP Certification exam.

“The program allowed me to not only build a knowledge foundation in the field I’d like to pursue,” he said, “but to also interact and mingle with professionals in the field, ask questions and get a good understanding of what opportunities project management has to offer.”

Salvatierra, who plans to sit for the Project Management Professional exam this winter, added, “I would most definitely recommend this program to others as I feel that it provides a good knowledge foundation to become successful in passing the exam for the PMP Certification. It also is presented at just the right pace to learn and grasp the material.”

The demand for skilled managers is expected to grow by 6 percent by 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, with project management professionals needed in every industry. Strong management skills, combined with the Project Management Professional Certification, enhance job security, help employees make more money and provide job seekers with a competitive edge.

“The course is a great opportunity for adult professionals either looking at a career change or starting a new path,” Salvatierra said. “The venue and staff were very accommodating and provide a safe, comfortable learning environment for people of different backgrounds and experiences.”

The PMP Prep Course helped Salvatierra develop not only professionally but also personally through the soft skills portion as well as the personality evaluation, he said. “I’ve built some relationships that I hope will carry on in the future,” he added. “I’m excited for the upcoming classes moving forward.”

UCM Lee’s Summit will offer another Project Management Professional Prep Course on Monday evenings, Feb. 10 through April 20, with more information available on the Workforce Development webpage under the Academics tab at ucmo.edu.

In addition to undergraduate and graduate degree programs, University of Central Missouri’s Workforce Development and Professional Education offers a variety of career certificate programs, tailored to fit the schedule of busy adults. Programs are offered in high-demand areas such as healthcare, technology, business and manufacturing. Some courses can be completed in as little as six weeks with both face-to-face and online classes.

Financial aid is available to qualifying adults. UCM partners with the Full Employment Council to offer monthly open house events to help individuals learn if they are eligible for the debt-free assistance. Open houses are scheduled from 4 to 6:30 p.m. on the last Tuesday of each month at the Missouri Innovation Campus in Lee’s Summit.