Today’s business landscape is project-driven, and employing project management strategies and frameworks enables businesses to ensure quality and accuracy in their projects and meet customer expectations. Organizations now recognize that project management is crucial to their company’s future, and that’s why they are hiring trained and skilled project management professionals.
If you want to build a successful career in project management, this blog aims to give you all the information required to start a project management career.
How to Start a Career in Project Management in 5 Steps?
There are different ways to become a successful project management professional. However, the most effective approach is to first assess the project management skills you already possess, work on developing any skills you may be missing, and pursue a certification course to gain hands-on experience. Here’s a detailed guide on how to start a successful career in project management.
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Step 1: Identify Your Existing Project Management Skills
You might already have some project management skills without realizing it. Therefore, the first step is to identify existing project management skills. Think about times you have organized something, whether at school or in your community—those experiences may give you an idea about the project management skills you naturally possess.
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Step 2: Gain Project Management Experience
Aspirants with project management experience can excel in entry-level positions and take up more responsibilities. Moreover, experienced professionals can effectively organize, lead, and execute projects by leveraging industry best practices and emerging technologies, giving them an edge over their competitors.
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Step 3: Develop Essential Project management Skills
Project management requires a unique mix of technical and non-technical skills. Here are some important skills required for effective project management:
- Risk management
- Budgeting
- Agile, Waterfall, and other project management techniques
- Excellent organization
- Communication
- Leadership
You can improve these skills by taking project management courses or earning a certification.
- Step 4: Apply for Entry-Level Positions
Many people start their project management careers with entry-level jobs like:
- Project Coordinator
- Operations Coordinator
- Associate Project Manager
- Junior Project Manager
- Operations Associate
- Administrative Associate
In these positions, you learn how to leverage project management concepts and techniques to effectively manage projects and support the business growth.
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Step 5: Consider Getting a Project Management Certification
Project management certification like IIM Lucknow’s Executive Programme in Project Management (IIML-EPPM) is perfect for consultants, entrepreneurs, and mid to senior project management professionals looking to build a strong foundation in project management. The advanced project management course equips learners with a modern perspective on project management. Moreover, the course enhances the learner’s knowledge of key project management methods, emerging project management techniques, strategies, and best practices.
Summing Up
There are various ways to become a project manager. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to strengthen your skills after gaining some experience, it’s important to ensure you’ve mastered the basics. If you’re thinking about a career in project management, consider enrolling in an IIM Project Management course like IIM Lucknow’s Executive Programme in Project Management (IIML-EPPM). This course is perfect for learners who want to build a strong foundation in project management.
