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There are strong transferable skills that as a programmer, you can have in the organization. PM works as a protector of the project from beginning to end managing every aspect through brainstorming plans to achieving final results. You can mold your programming career as a project manager as well as you have an in-depth knowledge of software too. Get a certificate so you have appropriate and skills for this particular field so you can turn yourself as PM. There is no doubt about it about it, but you can convince your potential employer and prove your potential.