Considerations for those debating a career in project management
Project management is a growing field predicted to create 22 million new jobs by 2027. For recent graduates or those considering a new career, now is the perfect opportunity to dive into this thriving industry. While 2020 has changed our world permanently, project management is here to stay and is likely more important than ever. Here are a few considerations about the skill sets you’ll need and what to expect in the role.
Skills needed
There are a variety of skills needed to be a great project manager. Of course, it’s helpful to have staples like time management, organizational and active listening skills, but there are a few other traits that will make you stand out:
The ability to think on your feet. As a project manager, it’s necessary to use critical thinking skills to make changes to the budget, project or timeline quickly as needed. You may need to get creative at times.
Communication skills. Nearly everyone on the team will look to you for guidance. Clear communication will be key to making your team feel confident and will make your job easier.
Cost management. One of the most important aspects of a project manager’s job is developing a realistic budget – then working to ensure it stays on track. Being able to put together a budget based on data, keep it updated in real time and manage when an unexpected cost comes up is critical for project managers. You may also be working in tandem with a Cost Accounting Manager (CAM), and understanding that role will make the process seamless.
Time management (yours and the team’s). The project manager is responsible for creating a feasible timeline for a project, one that considers all of the factors that impact deadlines. As the project manager, it’s your responsibility to ensure that the project is completed on time.
A day in the life
At MRC, we spend our days managing projects for government and construction clients, so a lot of our projects consist of managing new buildings or technologies. A project manager in the retail and marketing industry will have a much different schedule, but every project manager, no matter the industry, shares the reality that no day looks the same. One day, you can be sitting down to map out a two-year timeline for the upcoming project; the next, you could be meeting with vendors and stakeholders. Being a project manager is never boring and can certainly be challenging at times, but it’s always rewarding to wrap up a project with your team.
Ready to consider a new career?
Though all of the skills listed above are necessary to be a strong project manager, the good news is that anyone can learn them. People from all walks of life can become a project manager, no matter what degree or previous work experience they have. In fact, some of our own team members come from careers in other fields, such as sports journalism. For those interested in learning more, there are plenty of free resources online to get started. If you have any questions, we’d be happy to talk with you about what being a project manager at MRC is like – reach out to us on LinkedIn.