Now that you know why project management is so important and you understand what a project manager actually does, you might be wondering how you can become a project manager yourself. Learn about how you can advance your career if you’re interested in project management. This complimentary tool is designed to provide tailored advice and resources to help you effectively navigate your career path. Many employers prioritize skills, experience, and certifications over formal education.
Things to consider about a project management career
The Master of Project Academy, which proctors some project management certification courses from various institutions, recently surveyed 628 of its learners across 124 countries. Of those who earned certification, 35.77 percent reported that their salary increased by 10 percent, and 16.89 percent saw their salary rise by more than 20 percent 2. Look for internships as a junior or assistant project manager in sectors of interest – Programming language for example, in the IT industry you could apply to work with a major employer such as Microsoft.
Certified Project Director (CPD)
Make sure your resume is highly tailored to the role you’re applying for by using applicable keywords from the job description. The path to becoming a Senior Project Manager starts with a solid educational foundation. A bachelor’s degree in business administration, engineering, or information technology is a common starting point. Many professionals choose to pursue advanced degrees, such as an MBA or a Master of Science in Project Management, to deepen their knowledge of project management principles and strategic decision-making. The skills you learn in The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from PMI allow you to explore various in-demand positions within project management and potentially increase your earning potential.
- GAQM offers this certification intended for working professionals with at least two years of project management experience.
- This will make you a stronger candidate when you’re ready to apply for a project manager position.
- After over a year in post, I’m now pursuing professional certification and further education, with the full support of my organisation and manager.
- They recognised my drive and potential and continue to offer me the support and opportunities I looked for.
- For those ready to embark on this rewarding career path, UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies offers comprehensive programs tailored to equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to excel in the field.
- Upon completing the program, gain a shareable certificate to add to your resume or LinkedIn profile.
How to Become a Senior Project Manager
- If it makes sense to do so, approach your manager with ideas of how you can contribute and let them know you are interested in developing project management experience.
- These requirements should include education (including the type of degree), experience, or certifications.
- The project manager usually doesn’t do much (or any) of the actual work of the project.
- A good project manager needs soft skills like communication and organization, hard skills like cost or stakeholder management, and relevant technical skills specific to the role.
- They aren’t necessarily responsible for the coaching and mentorship of a team—in fact, a project manager’s team members may report to another member of the organization.
- For example, if you want a career as a marketing project manager, you could build your resume with experience as a marketing assistant or coordinator before switching to project management.
Some of the important steps include developing fundamental project management skills and gaining project management experience. You can build your resume before applying for project manager jobs or pursuing a degree or certification. One option is to work in positions that allow you to use and refine your leadership skills. Look for team and decision-oriented jobs that have opportunities to motivate your co-workers. This experience may be directly related to a specific industry, like finance or general leadership roles. Project management may be a fitting career choice if you are highly organized, good at managing people and processes, and an excellent problem solver.
Step 4: Develop Leadership and People Management Skills
It can also be a satisfying career path for those who enjoy working with people and have strong organizational skills. Planning and starting a project from scratch, collaborating with others to overcome challenges, and seeing your efforts end in measurable success can be hugely rewarding. Project managers can also enjoy working on many different types of projects and learning from each one, as no two projects are the same. Some potential downsides include the demanding nature of the job and the emphasis on meeting deadlines. Before you start applying for work experience, internships, and entry-level positions in project management, you need to build a strong resume.
Promote job vacancies, courses or events
Project management specialists earn a median annual salary of $98,580, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics 1. To become a project manager, you generally need a bachelor’s degree in business or a related field. Since project management spans various industries, a bachelor’s degree in a topic related to your industry can also be beneficial. For example, a bachelor’s degree in advertising plus applicable work experience may help you become a project manager at an advertising agency. Start by developing specific project management skills such as team collaboration or stakeholder analysis.
These courses may be offered at your local university or through online platforms. This will not only enhance your resume but also give you a better Technical Project Manager/Business Analyst job understanding of what the role entails. The Project Management Institute (PMI) offers students the ability to combine a membership and the CAPM exam at a discounted rate.
Finding the right project management tool will help you to put everything you’ve learned in your project manager education into practice. It allows you to oversee your projects with more clarity, forecast more accurately, manage your resources more efficiently, and report more precisely. You can also look for conferences or local networking events that will help you to stay on top of new industry trends and meet people who can help you navigate the project management career path.