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Project Manager Career Path
September 24, 2011 | Author: PM Hut | Filed under: Project Management as a Career
Project Manager Career Path
By Claudia Vandermilt
A Successful Project Manager Career Path Begins With Education and Certification
With project management emerging as one of the fastest-growing fields in the country, many professionals are exploring a project manager career path. The Project Management Institute (PMI®) studies paint a very bright picture for those who plan on carving out a career as a project manager.
Project Manager Jobs and Salaries Are on the Rise
A recent PMI report indicates that 25% of companies that have reduced their headcounts in other specialties will still be hiring project managers, while an Anderson Economic Group study projected that approximately 1.2 million project management jobs will need to be filled each year through 2016.
The availability of open positions is just part of the appeal of a project management career path; the substantial salaries are another enticement. Payscale.com reports that IT Project Managers typically earn between $74,299 and $103,710 a year. PMI’s annual salary survey indicates that those with industry certification – such as the Project Management Professional (PMP®) designation – earn upwards of $100,000 annually.
Career opportunities and potential earnings are two of the most important factors that individuals must consider before choosing a career path, and the field of project management scores well on both points.
Project Managers Have a Place in Every Industry
Professionals who have embarked on a project management career path possess skills that can be used in virtually any industry – from information technology to consumer goods to business services. This career mobility ensures that project managers can readily find work, even if their current industry is affected by an economic downturn or cyclical demand.
Skills Required for a Project Manager Career Path
Before embarking on a project manager career path, you need to ask yourself whether or not you have a passion and aptitude for this type of work. If you’re up to the challenge overseeing the contributions of a diverse team and managing the expectations of key stakeholders, this may be the position for you. A project manager career path requires strong communication and organizational skills, the ability to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously and an understanding of the functional roles of departments throughout the organization.
Project Management Training and Education
The first step in becoming a project manager is to get the right education. You don’t necessarily need a degree in project management, but you do need to have specialized training. Industry certification will give you an even greater edge in securing the best positions.
When evaluating your training options, consider what will make your résumé stand apart from the competition. A credential from an accredited university shows that you are serious about a project manager career path. The good news is that with the widespread availability of online programs, location is no longer a limitation.
Embark on Your Project Manager Career Path
Project management training and industry certification can help professionals land their first project manager position. Over time, successful project managers will be assigned projects of increasing size and complexity. Those who prove themselves on the job and demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning have excellent advancement potential. Take the first steps toward a project manager career path today, and you’ll be on your way toward a wealth of job opportunities, a lucrative salary and genuine long-term career satisfaction.
Claudia Vandermilt is a skilled project manager with experience in internet marketing, travel, consumer goods and home necessities. She’s earned certificates in Applied Project Management and Advanced Certificate in Applied PM from Villanova and continues furthering her education and experience in project management across industries.
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2 people have left comments
More often than the intentional “training and pursuit of a goal” path, I’ve been noticing that folks who are good at a given job are suddenly made responsible for project management aspects of their current project. They don’t always know that they’ve become a project manager, or that one of their hats is to be one. It takes them a while to understand that they need to be good at those things once it’s part of their repertoire.
But, for those still in school, looking for a degree path, when the economy is bleak — a project management career can’t be beat (but then again, I’m a little biased.)
Does anyone have advice on how to get started. I have sent out resumes to every company i can find and only a few of them have asked for an interview but all of them said i didnt have the experience. I just graduated with a degree in construction management and have minimal experience. I know im not going to get a project management job right away nor should I, but it seems all construction companies only hire interns and i guess you have to be a student to apply. I wish I had applied for an internship during school. I guess im looking for a job title that would give me experience working with a project manager. I have looked at assistant project manager but they want experience as well. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.