How to Become a Project Manager: Plot Your Professional Path

As businesses and organizations increasingly recognize the value of effective project management, the demand for skilled project managers continues to grow. This article will walk you through the essential steps to becoming a project manager, from acquiring the necessary education and certifications to gaining practical experience and developing crucial soft skills. For those ready to embark on this rewarding career path, UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies offers comprehensive programs tailored to equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to excel in the field.

Understanding Project Management

What is Project Management?

Project management is the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to project activities to meet project requirements. It involves planning, executing, and overseeing projects to ensure they are completed on time, within scope, and within budget. 

In today’s fast-paced and complex business environment, project management helps organizations streamline processes, improve efficiency, and achieve strategic goals. 

Why is it an Important Career?

As a career, project management offers opportunities for leadership, problem-solving, and a significant impact on a company's success. Project managers play a crucial role in ensuring that projects contribute to an organization's overarching goals, making their role indispensable in driving business success. 

According to Peter Thurman, Senior IS Project Manager with UC San Diego Health and instructor for the UC San Diego Extended Studies Project Management program, when project management is done well, it has a tremendously positive impact on a business. He believes organizations are increasingly realizing this and taking the practice seriously.

“Project management is important because it helps every part of the business run more efficiently and effectively,” said Thurman. “Companies have been experiencing the value that effective project management provides and the impact that it could have on overall organizational results as well as employee satisfaction.” 

What Does a Project Manager Do?

A project manager is responsible for the overall planning, execution, and completion of a project. This includes defining scope, setting goals and objectives, managing resources, coordinating tasks, and communicating with stakeholders. They must handle risk management, monitor progress, and ensure that project deliverables meet quality standards. Essentially, project managers are the linchpins that hold all aspects of a project together, ensuring its successful completion. 

Steps to Become a Project Manager

Education and Training

A bachelor’s degree is typically required for project managers. Common fields to study include business administration, management, engineering, information technology, or a related field. Some roles may require advanced degrees such as a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) or a Master’s in Project Management.

Specialized training programs, such as those offered by UC San Diego Extended Studies, provide in-depth knowledge and practical skills directly applicable to project management. These programs are designed to meet the needs of aspiring project managers and those looking to advance their careers. 

Gaining Experience

Transitioning from Another Role

Leveraging existing experience, pursuing education and certifications, seeking opportunities for project involvement, and networking with professionals in the field can help one transition from another role into project management. 

Zach Herman, Associate Director of the Information Services Project Management Office at UC San Diego Health, who teaches foundation and core courses for the UC San Diego Extended Studies Project Management program, notes that the role of a project manager demands both hard and soft skill sets that can be harnessed to help businesses reach their goals. 

“A good project manager is someone who is diligent, organized, can follow processes but also has good soft skills,” said Herman. “In project management, we have a lot of accountability but not a lot of authority, so we need to be able to leverage our skillset to pull a team together to achieve our goal. This is what makes project management very challenging but also rewarding.”

Entry-Level Positions and Internships

Entry-level positions or internships that are good for gaining project management experience include roles such as project coordinator, junior project manager, project assistant, and business analyst. These positions offer exposure to project management practices and tools, providing a solid foundation for a career in project management. 

Getting Certified as a Project Manager

Several certifications are valuable for aspiring project managers, including:

• Project Management Professional (PMP): Offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI), this is one of the most recognized certifications in the field. 

• Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM): Also offered by PMI, this certification is geared towards those with less experience. 

• PRINCE2 (Projets in Controlled Environments): Widely used in the UK and internationally. 

• Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP): For those focusing on agile project management methodologies. 

• Certified ScrumMaster (CSM): For project managers working within Scrum frameworks. 

Soft Skills Development

Successful project managers need a variety of skills and competencies beyond technical proficiency that allow them to relate to others, influence their actions, and ultimately impact the company’s bottom line. These include leadership, teamwork, communication, time management, problem-solving, adaptability, and critical thinking. 

Cultivating these soft skills enables project managers to benefit the teams they work with and create value.

“With project management, we can do more with less. It’s important because we add value in helping stakeholders achieve their objectives and goals,” noted Herman. “Every project aims to add value, and a project manager shepherds the work to ensure that value is actually realized.”

UC San Diego Extended Studies Program Overview

UC San Diego Extended Studies offers a Professional Certificate in Project Management that provides an applied, hands-on approach to start or advance your project management career. The program features a flexible, industry-neutral curriculum that allows students to apply their knowledge to any field of interest, with options to complete the program online, live fully remote, or in person. 

Program Benefits

• A structured approach to learning that keeps you on track to achieve your goals. 
• Earn the required education hours needed to sit for the PMP Exam or CAPM Exam. 
• Flexible payment options, including a no-interest payment plan. 

Project managers are becoming increasingly essential to management team functions in every industry. 

Certificate Features

• Project-based coursework taught by actively practicing industry leaders and subject matter experts. 
• Technical project management, leadership, and business management topics provide a balanced learning approach for project professionals. 
• Curriculum aligns with the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) developed by the Project Management Institute (PMI). 
• Option to add Lean Six Sigma to the program. 

Career Paths and Opportunities

Industries and Sectors Employing Project Managers

Several industries rely heavily on project managers, including construction, information technology, healthcare, finance, and manufacturing. Project managers in these sectors play a vital role in ensuring projects are completed successfully and contribute to the organization’s strategic objectives. Employers will need to create 87.7 million project management roles by 2027 across 11 countries on five continents. In the U.S. alone, nearly 214,000 new project management positions are expected to be added over the next several years. 

(Source: The Project Management Institute, Job Growth and Talent Gap Report) 

Career Progression and Salary Expectations

Project management offers a clear career progression path, with opportunities to advance to senior project manager, program manager, and portfolio manager roles. Salaries for project managers vary based on experience, industry, and location, but the profession generally offers competitive compensation and benefits. In the U.S., project management specialists earned an average wage of about $105k in 2023 with a top 10% estimating an annual wage of $163k, highlighting the field’s attractiveness for those seeking to advance their careers or transition into a flourishing industry. 

(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023) 

Job Market Outlook and Trends

The job market for project managers is strong, with growing demand across various industries. As organizations continue to recognize the value of effective project management, opportunities for skilled project managers are expected to increase, making it a promising career choice. 

Conclusion 

Becoming a project manager involves a combination of education, certification, practical experience, and the development of essential soft skills. By taking proactive steps toward this career path, you can position yourself for success in a field that offers opportunities for leadership, problem-solving, and significant impact on organizational success. 

Explore the Project Management course and certificate offerings at UC San Diego Extended Studies to learn how you can gain the knowledge and tools needed to excel as a project manager and embark on this rewarding professional journey.