When we discuss popular jobs, the project manager is no wonder one of the popular choices. It’s a fulfilling job in many aspects. Project managers organize and lead teams of people from the beginning of a specific initiative throughout its development until the end.
They do this on behalf of a company or other type of institution. If you are weighing about entering into the job market as a project manager in tech, healthcare, construction, etc., read below why it is worth it, what steps you need to take, the skills you need, and how well a project manager compensates.
A project manager is a professional with several responsibilities. They focus on organizing, planning, and executing projects while respecting limitations like budgets and schedules.
Every industry has project managers because this role is essential in executing a project and organizing the people working on said project. Here are some of the most common duties of a project manager:
All projects, regardless of sector, can be divided into four phases: Initiation, Planning, Execution, and Closing. Project managers play an indispensable role in each phase.
Continue reading about the role of a Project managers.
While the basics are the same regardless of industry, there are some differences between, let’s say, a construction project manager and one who works in health care. Let’s dive in.
Other industries where project managers are needed are manufacturing, government and public administration, transportation and logistics, education, Non-profit organizations, telecommunications, etc.
Project management is a dynamic field with vast opportunities for growth and learning. It's expanding rapidly, especially in healthcare, professional services, publishing, manufacturing, construction, finance, and insurance industries. This growth presents a promising future for aspiring project managers.
It is predicted that the project management software market is projected to reach $15.08 billion by 2030.
Salaries are also a factor in choosing project management. In the US, median project management salaries are higher than those for non-project management focus positions; the percentage is 82% higher.
Here are the steps you need to take if you feel project management is your calling:
Step 1: Get an education in this area
Earning a bachelor’s degree is the minimum education requirement for this job. You can study business management, which is the most “wanted” specialization, but don’t forget about other domains like engineering or IT.
Step 2: Decide on a specialization
The next step is to choose the field you want to operate in. Depending on the industry, you will need to develop some specific skills and do research.
For example, suppose you want to work in IT project management. In that case, you should learn at least the basics about the area you want to specialize in(like hardware or software) and discuss effective management techniques with other IT employees. You can specialize in various fields, such as marketing, energy, healthcare, IT, logistics, or electrical.
Step 3: Earn a certification
Formal education may be the path for many if becoming a project manager is the dream.
Getting a project management certification can help differentiate you from other applicants and may be required for some project manager jobs.
When you want to certify yourself as a PM, there are several certification options you can choose from:
Step 4: Apply for jobs to gain experience
Formal education will probably not be enough for most project management positions. Search for entry-level jobs where you can apply everything you learned while getting your certification. Common entry-level titles include
Developing your skills while working in your chosen field will take you one step closer to the desired project management position. You're golden if you also have the privilege of having a mentor.
Step 5: Consider networking
Networking is important for project managers for two main reasons. First, finding a mentor to help you detect your strengths and weaknesses is very helpful. That mentor can also be a source of opportunities that you can tackle.
Second, networking can also mean that colleagues can share their experience in project management and provide advice on specific matters.
Step 6: Don’t stop learning
Project management is a area where performers are continuous getting better. As a project manager, you'll encounter a variety of projects, each with its unique challenges. Remaining updated with the latest technology trends, and continuously developing your talents, is key to effectively managing any situation.
Step 7: Expand your management skills
One of the project manager's main responsibilities is managing teams, which is why developing your management skills is crucial.
You can expand these abilities by volunteering for more important responsibilities at your current job or asking your manager about how to reach a lower-level management position. If you have impressive management skills, you can look into the possibility of moving to a project manager position or searching for open roles at other companies.
Project management is incredibly complex, and people in this field should possess a very elaborate set of soft and hard skills.
Here are the most important skills that can bring success:
Communication—One of the most crucial skills a project manager should have is efficiency and clarity in communication. They can use different platforms and tools to reach team members but must also keep in touch with vendors, possible sponsors, or stakeholders. Apart from effective written and spoken communication, project managers should also be able to interpret nonverbal hints, like body language, during sensible moments for the team. They must also be great delegators and select which coworker can approach each task effectively.
Leadership—Project managers not only lead teams of people but also have the important tasks of motivating them and creating a great work environment. They should be a source of inspiration, be able to delegate tasks properly and provide guidance whenever needed.
Time management—Being a project manager also implies managing your team’s efforts and time effectively so tasks are completed on time and successfully and the project goes according to the initial plan. It’s important to predict challenges and issues within the team and have the capacity to solve them using the minimum of resources.
Decision-making—One of the crucial soft skills a project manager needs. Quick and effective decisions need to be made during a project's completion, and this can be handled by evaluating both the pros and cons of each possible solution.
Conflict resolution—Tensions or conflicts between team members or stakeholders can inevitably arise. A good project manager should be able to diffuse such difficult moments for the sake of everyone.
Risk management—Another project manager's responsibility is to assess the risks involved in each project. Sometimes, these risks may seem reckless, but getting involved in a risky business can pay off with a high return.
Financial management—The project manager must ensure that the budget is not overfilled at every step by adjusting resources when needed and controlling all costs.
Quality management—Another responsibility is to ensure the required quality is met in the project. This implies supervising the whole team and adjusting issues if they appear, and following a certain project methodology.
Technical expertise—It is very clear that a project manager has to be proficient in the industry he operates in. He needs to know the specifics of the field to handle a project from scratch.
Conclusion
Once you find yourself in a project manager position, don’t stop learning and improving yourself daily. Stay on top of new technologies and trends, and network with relevant people to ensure you will have a job the next day and be great at it.
What is the average pay of a project manager?
It depends on industry, experience, or location, but in the US, the average salary for a project manager is $89,084 per year.
How long does it take to become a project manager?
If you have no education in this area and no expertise, your path to becoming a project manager may take some years. On the other hand, if you previously worked in a position that required handling a small team, you can go up as a project manager in a few months.
What qualifications do I need to become a project manager?
For example, having a business or engineering degree will allow you to try out entry-level positions in project management. For higher positions, employers tend to prefer people with more complex certifications, like Project Management Professional (PMP).
Do project managers need a degree?
When you will read the job description for project managers you will see that they require at least a bachelor’s degree for this position. Of course, it’s nice to have a master’s degree. Usually, a project manager has a business, IT, or engineering degree.
