If you are looking for a degree that combines finance, leadership, ethics, and human resources into one degree, then project management could be the one for you.
In this guide, we will discuss project management, top universities, career, and salary.
What is Project Management?
Project management is the practice of leading the work of a team to achieve goals and meet success criteria at a specified time. The primary challenge of a project manager is to accomplish all of the project goals within the given constraints.
This field is essential because it ensures what is being delivered is correct and will provide real value against the business opportunity. Every client has strategic goals and the projects that we do for them to advance those goals.
Project management is used in several different industries, including:
- Construction
- IT
- Biotech
- Architecture
- Security
- Landscaping
- Information and Communications Technology
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- Alternative Energy and Sustainability
Initially, you will start as an associate or junior project manager in an entry-level job and rise to a more senior position.
What Does a Project Manager Do?
Your primary responsibilities will be budgeting, scheduling meetings with stakeholders and project teams. Much of your job will involve meetings to keep communication flowing and ensure a project stays on track. You’ll look at factors such as cost, quality, and risk management.
A project manager brings together different branches of a company that may rarely see each other to collaborate on creating or improving a product or service.
As you advance in your project management career, you might design training procedures to familiarize coworkers or junior project managers with standard operations. You might also manage portfolios to align projects and determine where to invest a company’s resources most effectively and beneficially. Project Management Skills
Skills required
The following skills can be helpful to boost up your career as a project manager:
Communication
It is a significant skill required for your job. Maintaining contact among stakeholders and your project team is vital during a project. A clear line of communication should be open at all times for the duration of the project.
Organizational skills
An organization can make or break a project when many different tasks begin to pile up. As a manager, you’ll need to determine which aspect of a given project needs immediate attention and which ones can be completed later. Organizational skills are also invaluable in terms of time management when looking at the full scope of a project and making sure the team will reach the project deadline.
Problem-solving
It is an essential part of your job; when a production cycle runs into unforeseen complications, you must quickly resolve the resulting conflicts. Maintaining a positive outlook and keeping morale high, despite obstacles along the project’s path can keep the process from getting out of control.
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Technology
Staying at the forefront of emerging software and electronic equipment specific to your industry helps to keep you and your team relevant and competitive when looking for clients. There are also various management software applications that you can use to help you and your team stays on top of deadlines.
Multitasking
it is also crucial as you will be juggling multiple phases of a project and an entire staff of workers from different departments. The ability to make numerous decisions at once will be invaluable as you progress toward completion.
Required Education
Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree
You are required to have an undergraduate degree in business or a related field from a recognized university. And also a graduate degree to land upon an entry-level job in project management.
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Certifications
Many different certification titles are available you can choose from; the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAMP) for those starting in a project management career, the Project Management Professional (PMP) that indicates your expertise in the field, and the Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP) that demonstrates your understanding of resource management strategies. Those who have a certification may need to maintain their credential by meeting the continuing education requirements.
Top universities for Project Management
Below discussed are few top universities you can choose from:
Boston University
Boston University offers a graduate certificate program and Master of Science (MS) in Project Management. The MS degree program is available on campus and online and offers unique dual degree program options in telecommunication, actuarial science, computer science, and computer information systems. The program also provides professional development units (PDUs) for those with Project Management Institute (PMI) certifications.
The University of Texas at Dallas
The University of Texas at Dallas offers a graduate certificate in project management, an MS in Project Management, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) project management as the core subject. All of these programs are available in on-campus and online formats.
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Stevens Institute of Technology
Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken also offers a graduate certificate, master’s degree, and MBA in Project Management. Their master’s program is unique in enterprise project management that requires 30 credit hours and is designed for technical professionals. The master’s and MBA programs are both available in online formats.
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George Washington University
George Washington offers two online project management graduate degrees, a Master of Science in Project Management and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Project Management. The Master of Science in Project Management is 36 credit hours and provides leadership and management training. Students take courses such as Project Portfolio Management and Executive Decision-Making.
The MBA with a concentration in Project Management allows students to customize their business core courses with a specialization. The MBA is 52 credit hours. Students can choose classes such as Operations Management and Organization and Leadership.
Career and Salary
After completion of your degree, you can choose from the industries discussed below. Your salary will vary depending on the industry you work in as a project manager.
Construction
These professionals break down what must be accomplished during every phase and work with clients, architects, engineers, and subcontractors to make it all happen, including compliance with safety, zoning, and legal regulations. The Median annual salary is $93,370.
Engineering
Companies hire engineers to design new products or find better ways of doing things from aerospace to manufacturing. Engineering project managers work closely with these engineers to figure out how to create something new or solve a given problem. They also pay close attention to the business side of engineering projects, such as allocating resources, staying on schedule, and keeping clients updated. The average annual salary is $94,440.
Marketing
Marketing project managers take charge of brand awareness campaigns. They collaborate with marketing strategists to develop a vision and implement it to reach the target audience. They create timelines and oversee writers, designers, and others responsible for bringing objectives to life. The average annual salary is $59,916.
Consulting
Consulting project managers provide the organizational skills and follow-through needed to obtain results. They use their talents to identify objectives, plan out the specifics in terms of time and money, hire and monitor workers, keep everyone involved updated, and problem-solve as situations arise. The salary may vary according to the industry you are consulting for.