by Community events and webinars are also excellent opportunities to network and discover. Use action verbs to describe tasks you performed in previous roles, and when possible, emphasize any quantifiable outcomes. Industry certification can also be gained through the APM and the Project Management Institute (PMI). You don’t need a postgraduate qualification, but if your first degree is unrelated, a Masters could increase your chances of success. This is especially true of Masters programmes accredited by the Chartered Association for Project Management (APM).
Many software project managers began their careers working as programmers or in a project management office. As you develop more skills you can take on more responsibility, which in turn gives you the opportunity to take on more managerial tasks. Not all project manager roles are formally labelled project management. You may have been a coordinator, an office manager, or had another job title. If you have had three years of combined experience doing project management activities, you can take the project management professional (PMP) certification. This will open up new doors to project management in full-time and contract roles.
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However, to qualify, you must have 60 months of professional project manager experience, while bachelor’s degree-holders only need 36 months. You also need either CAPM certification or 35 hours of professional development courses in project management. The time it takes to become a project manager varies by position and by employer. Some companies require project managers to hold four-year bachelor’s degrees, and some don’t require degrees. PMP certification requires three to five years of professional project management experience. Whatever path you’re hoping to take, here are six steps you should consider to become a project manager.
If you work in an industry where agile practices are the norm, you might decide to get an agile certification instead (or as well!). Both certifications have benefits, and the two certifications can actually complement each other. Read on to find out more about how you can become a project manager.
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However, for more specific project management roles, such as those in construction, engineering or IT, subject knowledge is more important, so an undergraduate degree in a related subject would be beneficial. But once you’ve decided which project management certification is right for you, it’s all about knuckling down, putting in the hours, and preparing for the certification exam. You how to become a project manager might also need to log more practical hours as well as make time for all the book-learning. It’s aimed at people who already have project management experience (at least 4,500-7,500 hours of it, to be specific), as well as either 35 hours of project management education or a CAPM certification. Always seek out opportunities to develop your project management skills and knowledge.
- If you’ve ever planned, led, budgeted, scheduled, or documented the progress of a project, you’ve done some elements of project management.
- Any experience leading and organising the activities of a team will be valuable.
- This means that you’ll need to retake the exam every few years to show that you’re still up-to-date with PM best practices and standards.
- You can earn the PMI’s PMP certification—largely considered the gold standard in the industry—with only a high school diploma.
You will also find career news, advice, resources, events and opportunities within the project management industry. Consider starting with the APM Project Management Fundamentals Qualification. This is a really good way to learn the basics of what the discipline of project management is all about. APM’s professional qualifications clearly demonstrate your technical knowledge to employers. Here’s an overview of some of the most popular degrees for project managers to help start your formal project manager education.
