Your career advancement in 21st century business depends on choosing to specialize in one integral function. Being a project manager is about directing the success of one particular project using a set of polished skills, practical experience and proven methodology. The drive for efficiency, speed, and quality provides a steady demand for qualified project manager professionals in today's business world.
Obtaining academic training and recognition adds to your natural talent for organizing tasks, time management, attention to detail, persistence, people skills and ability to adapt to problems and changing priorities. You'll gain the tools to provide clear directions with authority, create timelines for your projects, gather materials and resources, and forecast and plan for any unseen glitches.
Project management is comprised of five processes
Initiating
Planning
Executing
Controlling
Closing
as well as nine knowledge areas centering on management expertise in Integration, Scope, Time, Cost, Quality, Human Resources, Communications, Risk management and Procurement.
More than ever, organizations need individuals and teams with solid project management knowledge and skills. The advantages are many - not the least of which is a more attractive bottom line!
Source: Project Management Institute (PMI)
Project Management is a relatively new profession, but one that is expected to be in higher demand as organizations recognize the need for this type of business specialization which offers administrative and business support for key projects.
The preferred minimum level of education for for a career in project management is an undergraduate degree, usually as a specialization within a Bachelor in Business Administration.
Undergraduate Degrees - Online project manager bachelor's programs require an associate degree or substantial credits in a related business field and work experience. The curriculum can include some liberal arts courses and essential business courses that emphasize communication, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Completed in 2 years or less, you may examine case studies, work on team projects, and update your computer applications and systems management skills.
Graduate Degrees - Master's degrees in project management provide a more comprehensive study of practical tools used. You can be involved in project development, introduction of roles and responsibilities to key players, measurement standards and goal setting, and budget monitoring. Online graduate degrees generally take 2 years or less to complete.
MBA Programs - Our MBA section outlines several MBA's with a project management specialization, many of which are designed to lead towards your Project Management Professional (PMP) certification as detailed further below.
Certificate Programs - A Graduate Certificate in Project Management is appropriate if you are working at or towards a management level position, but cannot commit the time to obtaining a full Master's degree. As a credited program, you can apply your certificate coursework to graduate degrees or even Ph.D. programs in the future. The curriculum focuses on the knowledge and practical applications needed to effectively manage different types of projects.
Project management degrees can be applied towards any larger organization where teams are assembled to handle unique, goal specific projects.
The Project Management Institute lists members in these fields:
aerospace
automotive
business management
construction
engineering
financial services
information technology
pharmaceuticals
healthcare
telecommunications
In most cases, the career direction is supplemented with additional training and education. The salaries reflect this level of expertise, but will be reliant on the job field and location.
A Project Engineer, for example, will oversee the planning, organization, control, integration, and completion of engineering projects - from his or her own engineering experience. A Project Manager, Environmental Research performs the same sort of functions, but for addressing pollution concerns, and will use scientific research methods along with project management skills. Project managers also favor heavily in the information services field. Details of this specialized education are available in our technology section.
The Project Management Institute offers the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification to professionals within the field. Candidates must meet education and experience requirements, adhere to a set of professional code of conduct, and pass a knowledge based exam.
Maintaining the certification is done by demonstrating your commitment to your profession to fulfill the Continuing Certification Requirements Program (CCR). Obtaining this designation is a universal way to signify that you have a solid foundation and experience in Project management that can be applied in a vast range of industries. Many MBA programs are structured around the Project Management Institute's (PMI) educational preferences.
The Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) is another credential offered by the Project Management Institute, but is tailored for practitioners who are relatively new to the field. As a stepping stone in your career development, it too demonstrates your commitment to project management and can boost your chances and opportunities in the workplace. The process for obtaining this certification is similar to the PMP designation - you are required to meet education and work standards in project management and then pass an online exam. There are 2 types of CAPMs - one for BA holders and another to reach those professionals without a BA, but more professional hours and experience.
