Why Summer is the Perfect Time to Earn the Next Project Management Certification
By Christopher Scordo, PMP, ITIL
Published: Jun 20, 2025
A few months ago, we were exhibiting at a project management conference, and I was speaking with someone who stopped by our PMTraining booth. She mentioned she was thinking about pursuing her PMP certification but figured she'd wait until fall—you know, "back-to-school" season. It got me thinking: what if summer might actually be the best time to get PMP certified?
Here's a thought—while everyone else is focused on vacations and barbecues, summer could be the ideal strategic window for ambitious professionals to pursue project management certification and get ahead on their career goals.
The Summer PMP Certification Advantage: Less Competition, More Opportunity
Think about it. While your colleagues are posting beach photos on LinkedIn (yes, that's a thing now), you could be building the skills that set you apart from the rest of the pack. There might be something to the idea that professionals who focus on PMP certification during the summer months position themselves well for opportunities later in the year.
The numbers are clear about PMP certification value. According to
PMI's recent Earning Power Salary Survey,
PMP-certified project managers earn 33% more than their non-certified counterparts. While the survey doesn't speak to timing, it's worth considering the sooner you earn a certification, the sooner you can position yourself for more opportunities.
But it doesn't have to be PMP—every professional certification comes with its own advantages. The CAPM opens doors for aspiring project managers, while specialized credentials like PMI-ACP,
PgMP
or PfMP can differentiate you in specific markets. The key is choosing the right project management certification for your career stage and using summer's natural rhythm to make it happen.
The Science Behind Summer Learning and PMP Exam Preparation
There's actually fascinating research that supports summer as an optimal learning period for PMP exam preparation. Studies show that
daylight exposure significantly improves cognitive performance,
with research demonstrating measurable improvements in working memory and attention when people have access to natural light during the day.
A
University of Illinois study
reinforces this connection, finding that office workers with windows and daylight exposure showed better sleep quality and overall well-being compared to those in windowless environments—both crucial factors for effective PMP study and retention.
The mechanism appears to be multifaceted: longer daylight hours help regulate circadian rhythms, improve mood, and create optimal conditions for memory consolidation. While individual experiences vary, the science suggests that summer's natural rhythm could indeed enhance your ability to absorb and retain complex project management concepts needed for PMP certification success.
Strategic PMP Certification Timing for Q4 Career Advancement
Here's where strategic thinking about PMP certification timing might pay off. Many organizations conduct their major hiring and promotion decisions in Q4 and Q1. By completing your PMP certification over the summer, you could be well-positioned to leverage that credential during what tends to be a critical career decision-making period.
We do hear encouraging stories from graduates who've timed their PMP certification completion strategically. Recently, one project coordinator earned her PMP in August and was promoted to Senior Project Manager by October—though of course, her certification was just one factor in what was likely a broader pattern of strong performance.
The
LinkedIn 2024 Workplace Learning Report
supports this timing strategy, showing that learners who set career goals engage with learning 4x more than those who don't, and that 90% of organizations view learning opportunities as their top retention strategy.
Summer Work Schedule Benefits for PMP Study
Here's something I've observed across different organizations: summer schedules are often just more forgiving for PMP exam preparation. Kids are out of school, which helps with personal scheduling, but there's more to it than that. Many colleagues cycle through vacation time, which can actually reduce the daily urgency around certain projects. Larger initiatives may be deliberately paused to account for key team members being out of the office.
I've noticed this pattern in my own work environment. Some organizations adjust to summer hours or adopt more relaxed policies—even something as simple as casual dress codes reflects a broader shift in pace. While a polo shirt instead of a button-down doesn't directly impact your PMP study habits, it's part of an overall atmosphere that tends to be less intense.
The real advantage? You likely have more mental bandwidth to take on a challenging endeavor like PMP certification outside your day-to-day responsibilities. When you're not constantly putting out fires or racing toward quarter-end deadlines, there's actual space to focus on longer-term professional development.
This aligns with
SHRM's 2024 Employee Benefits Survey,
which found that 70% of employers consider flexible work arrangements "very important" or "extremely important," with 63% offering hybrid arrangements. Research on
summer workplace benefits
shows that flexible schedules and early Friday departures are among the most valued perks for maintaining morale and productivity.
Building Career Momentum with Summer Project Management Certification
There could be something powerful about starting a major professional development initiative like PMP certification when the pace is generally slower. It might create momentum that carries through the entire year. Some professionals report feeling more confident and energized heading into fall when they've used summer to invest in their project management skills, though this probably depends on individual work styles and circumstances.
Making Your Move: Start Your PMP Certification Journey This Summer
Summer might not be the obvious choice for PMP certification, but it could offer some unique advantages worth considering. The combination of potentially better learning conditions, strategic timing for career moves, and increased schedule flexibility makes it an interesting option for project management certification.
Whether you're considering the PMP, CAPM, or any other project management credential, it's worth thinking about whether the summer timing might work in your favor. Sometimes the best career moves happen when we go against conventional wisdom.
Ready to make this summer the turning point in your career? Our Premier Authorized Training Partner status with PMI means you'll get the most current, comprehensive
PMP exam preparation
available. Explore our summer certification programs and discover why thousands of professionals trust PMTraining to accelerate their project management careers.
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