Cynthia Schmitt, PMP, PMI-ACP
Director, Program Delivery at Intuitive Company
Digital PM Summit
Philadelphia 2015
Hello.
@wtzgoodPHL

• Clown Aspirer
• Video Store Worker
• Website Developer
• Project Manager
• Director of Program Delivery
Career Path:

Small firms —> Large corporations
Research & strategy projects, mobile
apps, eCommerce site builds, CRM
database implementations
“The Zen PM”

“Wow, all those
letters after your
name are really
impressive.”
“I would never
hire someone
with a PMP, they
are too rigid.”
– My Mom
“Certs are
useless for
DPM’s.”
– No one
– Someone at this
conference
Real World Advice

Don’t worry, you’ll pick it up
Everyone is Agile now?
Companies manage projects differently
Dollar Bills $$$
Why I said…YES!

PMP- PMI-ACP- CSM, CAPM, PgMP, CSPO, CSC…
What will help me today?
What will help me tomorrow?
What will benefit my future goals?

Transform Agencies
Large Companies Preferred
Common Language & Framework
10% Club
“You’re Serious”
Not a Job Guarantee
Not a Digital Teacher
Ain’t Cheap $$$
PROS CONS
Why Certs? (because we love lists)

As a DPM in an agency, if you had to choose which cert would you
recommend I go for?
Answer: Don’t go chasing waterfalls, go Agile (CSM,PMI-ACP)
Answer: Yes, salaries average 16% higher.
*Sources: A lot of them
Answer: Some day your manager may report to you. Don’t always take their
advice. DO THE RESEARCH
Are salaries higher for people with certifications?
I feel like my manager frowns upon certifications, should I still get one?
Q+A

Certifications HAVE helped me…
#beinghonest #getyourcerton #educateyoself
In order to be successful in our field, we must always be
learning
Tweets Tweets & replies Photos & videos
Cynthia Schmitt @wtzgoodPHL 20h

Diversify your knowledge across project types
Give back to our community
Don’t look at this just as a job
Education will never hurt you.Your project, your team,
your future… DEPENDS ON IT!!
Parting Words

Thank you.
@wtzgoodPHL
Cynthia Schmitt, PMP, PMI-ACP
Director, Program Delivery at Intuitive Company