If you already have a PhD, it is natural to wonder how much more you really need in order to move into project management. In this Lounge Access conversation, the caller is looking at CAPM as the next step and wants to know whether a PhD plus CAPM is enough to land a project management job. It is a genuine doubt many people from research and academia have when they start exploring industry roles.
Shoaib unpacks the situation in a practical way. A PhD already proves deep expertise, persistence and the ability to manage long, complex work. CAPM adds structured knowledge of project management concepts and the global PM language. Together, they can make a strong profile, but they still do not replace the need for some form of relevant experience. Recruiters will look for any signs that you have managed timelines, coordinated stakeholders, handled risks or delivered outcomes, even if those projects were in an academic or research setting rather than in a corporate role.
The conversation also touches on expectations. CAPM is an entry level credential, not a guarantee of a project manager title. With a PhD and CAPM, you may be more realistic aiming first for roles like project coordinator, junior project manager, research project manager or similar positions that recognize your background while giving you space to build industry experience. Shoaib’s advice centers on mapping your existing experience to project work, tuning your resume to highlight that, and then using CAPM as a credibility booster rather than the only asset.
If you are a PhD holder considering CAPM as your gateway into project management, this video will help you set a clearer strategy. It shows how to combine your academic strengths with certification, what kind of roles to target initially and how to think about “enough” in a market that values both education and hands on experience.
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