The need for project managers worldwide is growing rapidly, with the need for new project management employees required to meet global projected talent demands by 2030 hovering around 25 million, according to a 2020 report by the Project Management Institute. But what industries are hiring project managers? We’ve compiled a list of the best sectors to search for a project management career below.
Top industries hiring project managers
Information Technology
IT project managers manage and organize the work of technical staff. They often liaise between the business-focused teams and the technical teams to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget, avoid things like potential risks and scope creep, and manage any unplanned obstacles that occur over the course of a project. Project managers working on IT projects will most likely utilize Agile methodology, which compartmentalizes work into sprints that are easier to track.
Freelancing
One of the best things about pursuing a career path in project management is that it’s a highly flexible role because it simply boils down to ensuring projects are completed. Projects are everywhere regardless of organization size or industry type. Companies frequently hire project managers on a case-by-case basis, which means that this field is excellent for professionals desiring the flexibility of a freelancer schedule. If you’re serious about developing your own freelancing business, check out virtual groups like Reddit or the Slack community Online Geniuses. You can also launch your freelance career by creating profiles on Upwork, Toptal, or Fiverr.
Healthcare
Professionals tasked with facilitating the administrative side of the Healthcare industry are always needed – and that’s where project managers come in. In fact, according to the Project Management Job Growth and Talent Gap report from the PMI Institute, Healthcare is the industry with the fastest-growing need for project managers. Whether needed for optimizing an existing billing process or coordinating the implementation of a new tool, project managers are helpful for many aspects of the Healthcare industry. The industry is growing, too, meaning that positions in this industry are secure and have high mobility potential.
Advertising and Marketing
Professionals tasked with facilitating the administrative side of the Healthcare industry are always needed – and that’s where project managers come in. In fact, according to the Project Management Job Growth and Talent Gap report from the PMI Institute, Healthcare is the industry with the fastest-growing need for project managers. Whether needed for optimizing an existing billing process or coordinating the implementation of a new tool, project managers are helpful for many aspects of the Healthcare industry. The industry is growing, too, meaning that positions in this industry are secure and have high mobility potential.
SaaS
Project management in the Software industry can take many forms. Still it commonly appears as a combination of duties that both a marketing project manager and an IT project manager would have. Product teams, for example, typically employ project managers to work cross-functionally with all of the teams in an organization to ensure the timely output of software improvements or new features. A SaaS industry project manager will likely need to work with or at least know Agile methodology and the ability to work with many different teams in an organization and coordinate between each of them to execute projects on time.
Start your journey with Pathstream
The best part about pursuing a career in project management is the versatility; promising careers can also be found outside these sectors. And, if you’re early in your search for a project management career or want to improve your project management skills, check out Pathstream’s Asana Project Management Certificate.
*Salary ranges are sourced from Lightcast and ZipRecruiter.
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