6 Reasons Project Management is a top career choice

6 Benefits of a Project Management career choice

Before we focus on more detailed topics, such as primary project manager qualifications and how you can start your journey, let’s first outline the benefits of joining this exciting career field. Project management is considered to be a top career choice thanks, in large part, to the following factors:

1. High demand

Are you interested in a career with exceptional job security? Want to avoid having to compete in a scarce job market for an extremely limited number of positions? If so, then a career in project management may be just what you are looking for. 

One of the biggest factors that attract talented individuals to the project management profession is that project management is in high demand. According to data from the Project Management Institute, the demand for project management professionals is expected to increase by 33 percent by 2027. 

2. Competitive salaries

In addition to being in-demand professionals, project managers enjoy highly competitive salaries. 

Project managers may also receive other benefits when working for larger organizations or participating in short-term projects. For instance, top-tier project managers might be awarded bonuses for completing major projects under budget and ahead of schedule. 

While salary projections for less experienced project managers are slightly lower, these professionals still enjoy solid earning potential. According to information on Glassdoor, the average project manager’s salary in the U.S. is approximately $88,907 annually. Top earners can make as much as $138K annually, not including any salary incentive plans.

 

3. Remote work opportunities

Perhaps the biggest advantage of being a project manager is that there is an abundance of remote working opportunities. Alongside the rise of innovative collaboration technologies and project management software, many organizations have transitioned to remote or hybrid business models. 

If you have never had the opportunity to work remotely, then you are missing out. Remote work is often considered less demanding because you will no longer have to commute to a centralized office location.

This exemption will save you both time and money every single week. Working remotely also provides much-needed flexibility to fulfill family obligations, schedule personal appointments, and get more out of life.  

4. The chance to work with a team

Naturally, managing important projects also entails working with multiple team members. While the size of each team will vary based on the scope and depth of a particular project, a single group may consist of as many as 20 individuals or more. 

Good project managers are expert communicators who can navigate a given team’s unique personalities. They are responsible for optimizing each team member’s productivity, resolving conflicts, and determining which individuals have the best chemistry. 

Few things are as rewarding as helping a group reach their true personal and professional potential. 

5. Enhanced organizational skills

When serving in a project manager role, you must become a master of time management. Monitoring and controlling several essential projects simultaneously requires project managers to be supremely organized as well. 

If you accept a project management position, expect your organizational skills to increase exponentially within your first year on the job. You will learn to precisely manage projects, personnel, resources, and deadlines to complete all tasks properly.

6. Entry into a growing industry

The general demand for project managers is growing, and an increasingly broad number of industries are finding that they need these types of logistical services. 

Traditionally, project managers worked in only a select few industries, such as information technology and software development. However, that is no longer the case. Now, project managers can find employment opportunities in virtually every sector. 

In the modern working environment, the following industries are experiencing the largest increases in demand for project managers: 

• Construction
• Engineering
• Finance
• Insurance
• Healthcare
• Advertising
• IT and cybersecurity

As a result of this growth, professionals who already have experience in these industries are incentivized to obtain project management skills so that they can further their careers.

 

Which field is best in project management?

With so many different subfields in the project management profession, you may be wondering which specialty offers the best career opportunities. However, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Generally speaking, the field that is right for you is the one that you are most interested in.

For instance, if you already have experience in the finance industry and have a knack for leading others, then you may want to work within that sector. 

Project managers operating in the finance industry are typically tasked with developing actionable strategies for mitigating risks, tracking the progress of organizational initiatives, and reporting outcomes to stakeholders.

Conversely, project managers working within the construction and engineering industry interact with public works employees, city planners, engineers, and architects. Project managers may engage in tasks such as developing a project timeline, formulating a budget, and conducting risk management assessments.

Regardless of which industry you choose to pursue a career in, the general responsibilities of a project manager remain the same. 

These individuals are expected to plan out specific projects, select an appropriate project management methodology for completing set tasks, and oversee team members. Project managers usually report directly to high-level organizational members, such as department V.P.s or C-suite executives.  

 

How to become a project manager?

 

In the past, becoming a project manager almost always entailed obtaining a degree in a field relevant to the industry in which you wanted to operate. 

While having such a degree will certainly help you land your dream job, it is no longer a necessity. Both people without degrees and those who have graduated from more generalized programs can become project managers by completing a streamlined certificate program.

While the length of each program will vary, they generally last approximately six months. When choosing a program, it is vital to select one that is designed in partnership with an accredited university, such as the Asana Project Management Certificate offered by Pathstream.

As part of their duties, these talented and versatile professionals must also master the various project management methodologies. 

A project management methodology is a set of principles that aid in planning and resource allocation. Some examples of project management methodologies include “Agile” and “Waterfall,” but there are hundreds of other such planning strategies.

Fortunately, you will have the opportunity to learn these methodologies during your certificate program. You will also be tasked with applying them to real-world scenarios in order to ensure maximum information retention.

Once you complete your program, it is time to acquire relevant project management experience. Make sure that you adequately prepare for each opportunity by reviewing common project manager interview questions and answers. Doing so can help you set yourself apart from other applicants and connect with the hiring panel.

Keep in mind that you may not be able to step right into a project management position. Instead, your first role may entail a bit less responsibility. However, you should be persistent and continue to hone your project management skills at each stage of your journey.

How can Pathstream help you jumpstart your career?

If you are ready to stop aimlessly searching using the phrase “project management career choice” and want to become a project manager, Pathstream can help. 

Our innovative online program is convenient, effective, and affordable. Upon completion, you will receive an Asana Project Management Certificate and possess the skills necessary to apply for top project manager roles.

In addition to the Asana program, Pathstream offers learning courses such as Salesforce Administration and the Tableau Data Analytics Certificate. All of our programs are available online and require no in-person class attendance. 

These programs were designed with busy professionals in mind, as many of our clients are managing full-time careers and personal obligations. So what are you waiting for?