How to Become A Technical Project Manager

Also check out our project managers on how to get PMP certification and CAPM certification requirements. Project managers spend their days interacting with clients, team members and employees. They must be able to motivate people to achieve a shared goal and have empathy to understand their team members.

Project management is transferable across so many different industries, so even if you move on, the skills you learn will be invaluable to any job role you do in the future. It’s a great way of building a network and getting more exposure to what the world of project management is really like. Similarly, you can also use project management approaches in your current role – even if that is nothing to do with project management. Look for opportunities to manage work in a structured way and use project management principles to support that. Take a long look at your current job and see what aspects of project management are in there – then capitalize on those a much as you can until you secure a new role.

Here are the things that you should consider before starting a project management career:

You can find books on the subject, join online forums and groups related to project management, or take coursework offered by colleges and universities. You may also want to consider joining associations relevant to your career path. By building a network of professional peers, you can learn more about your industry and might make connections that can help you gain more professional experience. However, becoming a project manager isn’t as straightforward as earning a certification and finding a job. By understanding a few facts about the role, you can work toward developing the requisite skillset demanded by employers. When I left university with a degree in electrical engineering I went to work for Qantas on business-type projects. I spent two years working in Germany and then worked for another airline as a senior analyst, then programmer, then team leader and then moved into project management.

Either way, you must complete your work hours before you sit for the exam. If you have management experience, you’re off to a good start. Leadership experience transfers well across virtually all industries and fields. Furthermore, you’ll need to possess and display detailed knowledge about your industry. Employers must also see that you are organized and can lead teams effectively. A degree proves to an employer that you can fulfill the responsibilities of an available role.

Think ahead when you are job-seeking

While it’s possible to become a project manager without earning a certification, becoming a certified project manager has several benefits. In the U.S., the median salary for a project manager is $116,000 across all industries, with most project managers earning between $90,000 and $140,000. Professionals who further pursueprogram or portfoliomanagement, however, often see an increased salary potential compared to more generalist project managers. While the career potential for project managers is already promising, those who specialize in a field can develop a more lucrative career.

By focusing on your team management skills, you will be able to lead a successful project team and achieve the objectives set for the project. In addition, join professional organizations or participate in networking events to make connection with other professionals in the field. Finally, be sure to take practice exams that challenge your skills and help you measure your progress. If you’ve already earned a bachelor’s degree and want to become a PM, start by assessing your current skill set.

How Many Years Does It Take To Become an IT Project Manager?

Whether you learn and earn your degree online or at one of our campus locations, you can expect the personalized attention and support that Herzing is known for. You can now earn the terminal degree in nursing with Herzing University. We are proud to offer our first doctoral degree, the Doctor of Nursing Practice , designed for nurses who hold an MSN.

• If you’re determined to land a PM role without a degree, you’ll have to find some other way to show an employer that you’re capable of handling the job competently.
• Though many believe soft skills are something individuals are born with, this isn’t the case.
• The certification allows you to be a project manager who can apply PRINCE2 principles to a project.
• Thinking that you hold the secrets of this job can make you believe that you’re prepared for any situation.
• And you need to sell them the benefits of the project management.
• He adds that reliability is one of the main factors he looks for when deciding whether someone should move into a management role.