Job Responsibilities
I have worked as a project control scheduler. I run the software
which keeps track of the schedules developed for various projects.
This is a very specific function and requires specific knowledge
of both the general principles of project scheduling as well as
the specifics of how to use such software programs (MS Project,
Primavera, Scitor's PS 8, etc.) Depending upon the phase each
project is in, the amount of time required can be as little as
four or five hours a week or fifty to sixty hours a week (if, for
example, we are working up a bid and need to schedule out the work
so as to come up with cost & time estimates.)
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Job Requirements
Generally speaking, project scheduling is a degreed engineering
position. I have a B/A in poli sci and got into this field due to
my skills in data entry some fourteen years ago. However, the
concepts involved are pretty universal and I was able to readily
grasp them. Over the past decade there has been a great deal of
growth in the academic world when it comes to classes devoted to
the science of project control.
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Uppers
Problem solving. I enjoy figuring out problems and running them down. Part of
this is due to the complexity of the software programs used to do project
scheduling, but it is also part of the job when it comes to dealing with
workarounds and delays within the project itself. Part of my responsibilities
as
a project scheduler is to figure out ways of dealing with such setbacks.
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Downers
It can be extremely repetitive and boring. Once you've got your
program up and running, the a project scheduler's job can be very
custodial. Not much excitement there and doing all the routine
reports each week / month can be a real drag. Then there's the
times when things are going wrong or when we're working on a bid.
Then it is panic city, and everything has to be done at once.
So, the pacing could be a _lot_ better.
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Lifestyle
Be of an accounting bent to undertake this as a career as the
trend in these positions is toward more finance / accounting work
than actual scheduling work. So, if you like crunching numbers
and doing endless financial reporting, then this might be for you.
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Compensation
The last company I worked for made much of its employee stock
program but, as it was an employee owned company, I never could
figure it out. I've not participated in such programs as I've
been laid off so many times I've needed what cash I've earned to
pay off my debts from my last bout of unemployment. My base
salary is something that's hard for me to tell how competitive it
is. I don't know the industry standards for someone in my
position or with my particular career path.
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Advice to Jobseekers
Be of an accounting bent to undertake this as a career as the
trend in these positions is toward more finance / accounting work
than actual scheduling work. So, if you like crunching numbers
and doing endless financial reporting, then this might be for you.
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