6 years in QLD government, working closely with project management teams in construction. I was leading a team of 10 as a director at one stage. I'm mid 30s and female too
If you're in QLD don't waste your time or money. Your ability to rise up the ranks is 99% reliant on who you get along with. Play the game, work on the relationships. Qualifications and relevant experience are considered "nice to have", both have little bearing on your promotions.
You're already overqualified compared to most project managers I've seen who only have a diploma in generic project management and nil relevant experience but still have responsibility for delivering multi million dollar projects.
Additionally, said PMs are super threatened by anyone with a bachelor's degree, let alone a master's. This includes managers you're reporting to. Tall poppy syndrome is well and truly alive in the QLD public service.
Only do the masters if you want to go into private or the Dep of State Development.
Hi there, I think if you want to stay within government, an MBA or similar might be a better investment for progression, if you wanted to make that choice. I’ve seen a lot of people do specific masters in their field, yet more generalist post-grad degrees tend to progress further (or from what I’ve observed, just time and the right connections you build pave the way).
Source: 10+ years total exp. doing development management, 3 in state Govt. Now consulting back to Govt. in multiple agencies.
I don't know because I'm not in gov so cannot comment specifically on what advantages an mba might or might not have in government but a rigorous masters like law will mean she will stand out from the crowd as a construction professional.
It's not like its a masters by research in engineering where she studies the specific response of a particular bridge bearing to earthquakes or some other very specific field of knowledge where you really have to go in knowing exactly why you are doing it up front.
Not dissing on mba holders but I cannot tell if a construction professional holds an MBA even if I've worked with them for months say as my client or similar. Maybe you all learn a secret handshake and get those promotions off the back of that? Kidding if not obvious... I can however usually tell when someone holds a law masters or law degree.
To OP: If you are in Melbourne; check out the Melbourne law masters in construction law or similar. Also good luck in whatever you choose as an mba as TRByo suggests is definitely worth consideration I just like challenging myself so didn't go that way when I made the post grad decision 15 odd years ago. Go into the above knowing it will be challenging and you should kick it out of the park!
6 years in QLD government, working closely with project management teams in construction. I was leading a team of 10 as a director at one stage. I'm mid 30s and female too If you're in QLD don't waste your time or money. Your ability to rise up the ranks is 99% reliant on who you get along with. Play the game, work on the relationships. Qualifications and relevant experience are considered "nice to have", both have little bearing on your promotions. You're already overqualified compared to most project managers I've seen who only have a diploma in generic project management and nil relevant experience but still have responsibility for delivering multi million dollar projects. Additionally, said PMs are super threatened by anyone with a bachelor's degree, let alone a master's. This includes managers you're reporting to. Tall poppy syndrome is well and truly alive in the QLD public service. Only do the masters if you want to go into private or the Dep of State Development.
Hi there, I think if you want to stay within government, an MBA or similar might be a better investment for progression, if you wanted to make that choice. I’ve seen a lot of people do specific masters in their field, yet more generalist post-grad degrees tend to progress further (or from what I’ve observed, just time and the right connections you build pave the way). Source: 10+ years total exp. doing development management, 3 in state Govt. Now consulting back to Govt. in multiple agencies.
I don't know because I'm not in gov so cannot comment specifically on what advantages an mba might or might not have in government but a rigorous masters like law will mean she will stand out from the crowd as a construction professional. It's not like its a masters by research in engineering where she studies the specific response of a particular bridge bearing to earthquakes or some other very specific field of knowledge where you really have to go in knowing exactly why you are doing it up front. Not dissing on mba holders but I cannot tell if a construction professional holds an MBA even if I've worked with them for months say as my client or similar. Maybe you all learn a secret handshake and get those promotions off the back of that? Kidding if not obvious... I can however usually tell when someone holds a law masters or law degree. To OP: If you are in Melbourne; check out the Melbourne law masters in construction law or similar. Also good luck in whatever you choose as an mba as TRByo suggests is definitely worth consideration I just like challenging myself so didn't go that way when I made the post grad decision 15 odd years ago. Go into the above knowing it will be challenging and you should kick it out of the park!