How to become a Project Manager

If you are organised and can focus well, a career in project management might be for you. Project managers are hired by a company to lead a project to completion.

Project managers oversee the different business ventures of a company, ensuring that they run smoothly. They will generally work on one project at a time, although in some cases they may manage multiple projects at once. This job comes with a great deal of responsibility, as the entire weight of the project will fall on a project manager’s shoulders. 

The duties of being a project manager include: 

• Overseeing a project from its concept to completion. 
• Organising staff on the project team, including hiring and discipline. 
• Setting out personal and team schedules for the work.
• Estimating costs and budgets. 
• Quality assurance on the project.
• Working with the various departments of the business, including marketing, finances, and human resources. 
• Writing reports about the effectiveness of the project. 

Project managers do not need to be graduates, but many are. Relevant degrees are business, IT, or marketing – but most graduate degrees are applicable for graduate jobs. Some project managers have masters’ degrees in business or a related field.

Most project managers will work for their brand in an entry-level role first. This may be as a project administrator, or they may enter the field as an intern. They will then gradually progress through to becoming a project manager.

As project managers work across industries, candidates are often expected to have relevant industry experience before working on the project team – particularly if they do not have a business degree.

Industry experience can be sought out on a part time or volunteer basis. For example, a retail project manager could gain their initial experience by working in a shop. Taking relevant courses is another excellent way to gain relevant knowledge in the area. 

Project managers have a variety of skills. Leadership is incredibly important, as they will be in charge of the entire project. However, the project manager will be working with a lot of other colleagues, so they should also be a good communicator. 

Prospective workers must also be able to be accountable, as they will often have to come up with the solutions to the entire team’s issues. They must be able to accept criticism. Being adaptable and strategic is equally important, as project managers must be able to look at a problem in its entirety and to be able to come up with alternative solutions to them. Excellent time management is also essential for project managers. 

Excellent business knowledge is crucial, as it helps project managers both with their tasks, and to communicate with other people on the team. Project managers will need to resonate with everyone on the team, from creatives to coders. 

Project management is a career that is increasing in popularity. Wages are generous, and increase with experience. There is also a huge variety of work available, and while many project managers stick to one industry, others change to get a range of experience with projects.