How to Become a Project Manager

In history, project managers worked mostly in construction and aerospace. However, today project managers are gaining respect in almost every industry. Project management is helping businesses across the spectrum succeed and become more efficient. There are a vast amount of projects that need to be managed in the business world. A trained, experienced and skilled project manager can help small business to large corporations succeed with good project management. Project managers ensure that all projects are kept on track, on time, and that they are completed when and how they were planned to be.

Becoming a project manager takes education and experience.

Many people in project management argue why experience is better than education and visa versa. It is recommended that you become a certified project manager and gain your experience through your career as a certified project manager. You will earn more respect from your peers and your employer with a certification.

Become a certified project manager through the Project Management Institute. Employers will recognize the Project Management Institute certification more than anything else. Becoming a certified project manager will show that you are serious about the career and that you have earned your certification through hard work. Becoming a certified project manager will also help you earn a salary on the higher side of the average pay scale, rather than starting off with the lower salary.

According to The University of Illinois, getting certified in project management can cost from $695 to $1,995.

Project management is no easy task. It takes a lot of organization and skill that you need to learn through education and training. Find an accredited degree program for project management through the Project Management Institute. Colleges and universities that have accredited project management degrees are:

Boston University: At Boston University you can study for a Master's degree in Project Management. Classes are offered during the days, evenings, online, as well as part-time or full-time. A master's degree of Science in Project Management at Boston University contains 12 courses and 32 credits.

Capella University: Capella offers a Masters of Business in Project Management. It contains 48 quarter credits. The cost per credit is $625. Financial aid is available.

Colorado Technical University: Colorado Tech offers a Masters of Science in Project Management, which can be completed in fifteen months.

Find the best college for you, whether you want to earn your degree online or traditionally. Find something that fits your needs.

If you are not currently in a career where you can begin practicing seek a job where you can begin to learn all about project management hands on. You may have to volunteer or intern at a company to do this, but it would be worth it.

In order to become a successful project manager you will need to read about those who have come before you. This will help you learn about the different project management methods and techniques. Here are some books to help you get started in Project Management:

PMP Exam Prep, Fifth Edition: Rita's Course in a Book for Passing the PMP Exam

A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge: (Pmbok Guide)

The One-Page Project Manager: Communicate and Manage Any Project With a Single Sheet of Paper

The Six Sigma Handbook: The Complete Guide for Greenbelts, Blackbelts, and Managers at All Levels, Revised and Expanded Edition

The Fast Forward MBA in Project Management (Portable Mba Series)

That should get you started!

Project management takes knowledge, organization, communication, attention to detail, coordination, and a lot of hard work. If you excel at these and enjoy it get started in becoming a project manager. You can help companies succeed and become much more efficient as a project manager.