Should I study project management?

Are you a planner? Or do you fly by the seat of your pants?

• Are you the person who organizes everyone else to get things done?

• Do your friends think you're weird because you really love “to do” lists?

• Do you ask for help when you need it?

• Do people always want you to be in charge and explain the plan?

If the answer to these questions is yes, project management might be for you.

Project managers work with teams of people to turn ideas into reality.

Setting goals

• Making a specific and measurable goal that everyone agrees on

Writing a plan

• Brainstorming ideas

• Breaking the ideas into tasks

• Agree on how you will check progress

Organizing people

• Deciding who does what

• Communication

Budgeting

• Making sure the project stays within budget

Without a plan, a goal is just a wish!

— Antoine de Saint-Exupery, French author and pilot

Pros

• Good money

• Exciting

Cons

• Long hours

• Stressful — often dealing with deadlines and problems

What kind of program should you choose?

I have been studying for project management certificates this year and it took me a while to find one that worked for me. But once I did I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought would! I recommend asking yourself these questions. I ended up doing the Google Project Management Certificate.

How do you learn best?

Do you prefer to study by yourself, with a live instructor, in person, video courses online, text books? By yourself or in a study group?

I studied by listening to YouTube videos while walking my dog!

Bachelor's degree

Many employers require some kind of bachelor's degree, especially for access to more senior roles eventually. A business degree will be really helpful but not essential.

You can also find master's degrees in project management.

Industry experience

Previous experience in industries such as construction, IT, and healthcare can be alternate routes into project management.

The Project Management Institute is a great place to learn more about certifications that are well respected by employers.

You'll get well paid and can expect good opportunities to increase your salary.

According to Ziprecruiter, the entry level salary pay range in the US is between $78,000 and $120,000, and the average pay in Canada is $75,000.

Get prepared for your project management program!