To the uninitiated project management may seem like simple task monitoring, but this role requires careful balancing of time, scope and cost to complete the project. Organizations are striving to improve efficiency without compromising on quality and this role has become vital to meet those needs. Project managers can be found in numerous fields, including: marketing, IT, healthcare, construction and more.
When the project manager is doing their job correctly the project can be completed to the required standard on time and within the specified budget. One of the best ways to start a career in this field is to enroll in an online project management course to earn a degree.
What is the Demand for Project Managers?
In an environment where time and resources are limited there is considerable demand for project managers that can make an organization more competitive. Modern projects are complex, teams need to be coordinated, stakeholders need management and the risks must be mitigated. Turning a concept into reality will require creative problem solving, innovation and initiative to ensure that the objectives are achieved.
The global demand for project managers is continuing to increase according to data released by the Irish-based Project Management Institute (PMI). In Ireland alone, the job postings for this role have risen by 12% over the last couple of years. This can be attributed to an expansion in the scope of project-oriented work in a number of different sectors, such as: construction, finance and technology.
At this time, there is a shortage of suitably qualified project managers in the US, Europe and further afield. It’s estimated that around 50,000 more positions will need to be filled up to 2030 and beyond. This is applicable in most regions across a wide range of industries. So, it’s fair to say that project management degrees offer a good ROI for those that want to explore this career path.
Meeting the Project Management Needs of Varying Industries and Sectors
With such predicted global demand, it is unsurprising that there are needs for this role in a variety of industries and sectors.
Project managers need to coordinate between various professionals with different skills for the overall success of the project. For example, if you were working as a project manager in the IT sector for a company developing a new mobile app, you would be coordinating between developers, designers and testers to ensure the project is completed on time and within budget.
If you’re working in healthcare, you could be leading the implementation of an electronic health record system, integration of existing systems and following the current regulations. Whereas in the financial sector, you could be managing regulatory changes, and overseeing streamlining the operations.
However, there are emerging sectors such as biotechnology, e-commerce, and renewable energy that are increasingly seeking project managers. Niche markets such as event planning and digital marketing may also contribute to the demand for project managers in the future.
So, as a project manager, you could find yourself working within an industry that interests you with a varied role that provides challenges and interesting tasks.
The Online Project Management Degree Basics
For most project management roles, typically, you will need at least a bachelor’s degree. This may be a general business degree, but some institutions offer specific programs such as a BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration) in Project Management. While you’re likely to learn some project management skills in a general business degree, this type of program has a more specific learning focus on project management. Programs with a concentration on project management is an ideal option if you want to start your project management career.
If you have already earned a bachelor’s degree, and you want to enhance your credentials, you could pursue a project management master’s degree. You can complete a Master of Business Administration or MBA in approximately two years.
Regardless of which option is best suited to your requirements, you can often find online programs. An online program can offer greater flexibility and is typically more affordable, which makes it more practical for many people.
The Benefits of Online Project Management Degrees
Deciding to enroll in a new education program can be a difficult choice. Earning a degree involves time, money and energy, so you need to ensure that it is worth the investment. There are a number of benefits of completing a project management degree.
Develop a Versatile Skill Set
If you have a tendency to get a little bored working in a certain field or you are undecided on which industry you would like to work in, project management could be a good fit for you. Project management is versatile and applicable to a wide variety of industries and sectors.
You can apply the knowledge from your project management degree in a variety of contexts, so you can choose a role that is a good fit for your experience and interests. If you tire of a particular industry, you could transition to another company or industry and retain the same skill set.
Leverage the Growing Career Demand
If you start a career as a project manager, you can feel confident that your new skills will be in great demand. If you have the right credentials and solid motivation, there is no shortage of jobs. According to US Bureau of Labor Statistics data, there is an anticipated growth in demand of 7% for project management specialists between now and 2031. It is predicted that there will be 70,000 plus job openings every year.
Great Salary Prospects
According to BLS, project management specialists can earn $94,500 as a median salary. With your new degree, you could start to earn a great salary immediately, as entry level positions command a salary of almost $90,000.
Types of Project Managers (And Average Earning Potential)
| Job Title | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Project Manager | $75,000 | PayScale |
| Senior Project Manager | $98,000 | Glassdoor |
| IT Project Manager | $92,000 | ZipRecruiter |
| Engineering Project Manager | $105,000 | Indeed |
| Marketing Project Manager | $80,000 | Glassdoor |
| PMO Manager | $115,000 | PayScale |
| Systems Project Manager | $95,000 | ZipRecruiter |
| Finance Project Manager | $125,000 | Salary.com |
| Electrical Project Manager | $85,000 | Glassdoor |
*These figures are approximate and can vary by factors such as experience, industry, and geographic location.
Realize Leadership Potential
Project management is an excellent fit if you like to help others succeed and are willing to take charge. You will spend your time keeping projects on budget, motivating the team to stay on track, delegating tasks, creatively solving problems and updating superiors on results and progress.
Obtaining a project management degree will help you to sharpen your soft skills to flourish in all the above areas. It can help you to develop the balance between detail oriented and focusing on the big picture, which is a crucial aspect of leadership.
Work Flexibility
Since 2020, working from home has become less uncommon, but there are still a large number of jobs that cannot be performed at home. However, if you enjoy this flexibility or anticipate wanting to work from home in the future, online project management degrees are a good choice.
Project management does naturally lend itself to hybrid or remote work, with flexible working hours, as communication often occurs virtually. Many project managers use cloud based software that can be accessed anywhere.
Learn as You Work
One of the greatest advantages of an online degree program is that you can learn as you continue working. You don’t need to put your life on hold to attend classes, as you can fit your coursework into your current schedule. This means that you can learn on weekends or evenings, and continue to work your regular day job.
How to Choose an Online Project Management Course
There are lots of different project management courses and programs, so how do you choose the right one for your career goals? There are several things to consider to help you to shortlist the possibilities.
The Course Type
While we would advocate for online project management degrees, there are other courses that could be a better fit for you. It is a good idea to choose a course with professional certifications as this will provide greater credibility on your resume.
Degree programs with a focus on project management can prepare you for a variety of roles, as they combine practical skills with theoretical knowledge. However, if you don’t want to commit to a long term program and want to simply enhance some specific skills, you could consider a short project management course. These can have a focus on risk management or project management frameworks like Scrum, which can be helpful.
Study Mode
The study mode is also crucial for whether the program will work for you. A full time course is likely to be intensive and only suitable for students who can commit to the significant amount of time needed. While these courses can provide a fast track to certification, a part time course is easier to slot into your schedule if you want to continue working as you study.
Course Format
Online project management courses tend to offer accessibility and flexibility, so you can learn from anywhere. The courses can be self paced where you can set your own schedule or live with real time instructor interaction.
You will need to think about how you can best learn. If you’re good at creating and sticking to a schedule, a self paced course is likely to be a good fit for you. However, many people thrive in structured learning environments where they can enjoy face to face engagement.
The Curriculum
Effective learning requires a well rounded curriculum, so you need to choose a course that provides all of the key skills and knowledge. The core subjects should include planning, monitoring, execution and closing, but you should also have the option for electives in specialized topics such as Lean or Agile to tailor your learning to your career needs.
The Institution
Any good resume will not only list the qualification, but the institution where you studied. The reputation of the institution can carry a lot of weight with human resources and hiring professionals. So, you need to ensure that the institution is accredited by a recognized body.
The Cost
Finally, you will need to consider the total cost of your course. You will not only need to consider the tuition fees, but also course materials and exam fees. Some courses offer additional support services or resources that add extra costs.
You will not only need to think about your current means, but weigh the cost of the course against your potential salary or the opportunity for career advancement.
Tips for Successful Studying Online Project Management Degrees
If you’ve decided that an online project management degree is a good option for you, we’ve created some tips to help you study successfully.
Find Your Productive Learning Space
While you can work from anywhere, you do need an environment where you can manage uninterrupted work, free of distractions. You can create or find a set up, where you can access the internet, a bathroom, materials and snacks easily, so when you’re ready to study, you can just get on with it.
Check Your Technology
Before you begin, you need to make sure you have everything you need. Your school will provide a list of the technology you’ll need, so you can check you’re ready when the classes begin.
Develop Motivation Strategies
You may be very keen to get started studying, but a degree program can be draining, even when you don’t need to go to a campus. So, you need to develop motivation strategies that work for you. This could be something as simple as writing down why the program is worthwhile and sticking it to your mirror so you see it every day. Alternatively, you could plan little rewards for completing daily, weekly, monthly or term goals. Whatever works best for you.
Motivation and positivity can be difficult to maintain, but it is crucial for success on a medium to long project like completing a degree program.
Don’t Miss or Skip Classes
When you’re online learning, you don’t have someone watching what you’re doing, so this means that you need to self manage. While it can be tempting to miss a class or two, it can be very difficult to come back. So, try to avoid skipping classes whenever possible. Even if you have other demands on your time, try to stick to your learning schedule.
Stay Connected
Your instructors are there to help you, so it is important to stay connected. If your instructor knows you’re dedicated, they will be more likely to help if you need an extension or can’t avoid missing a class.
Remember that the other students in your class can also be a great resource. You can not only make friends, but they can help you to fully understand the material.
Limit Social Media Time
We all know that social media can be a massive time suck, and when you’re taking online classes, the links to platforms will be sat right there in your field of vision. So, make sure that you limit your social media time and don’t be tempted to open the platforms when you’re supposed to be studying. If you need it, there are apps that can manage your internet options, locking you out of social media platforms at certain times.
Work on Your Time Management
Time management is a learned skill and you will get better at it. If your time management is not great now, you will need to be intentional to work on it. Block out parts of your calendar and daily schedule, assigning time for each part of your day, including non study activities, and get into the habit of sticking to these assigned periods.
Plan out your classes and study sessions, and try to set schedules for completing and reviewing your assignments, so you have extra time to have a final read through before you submit them.
Avoid Multitasking
Many people feel that multitasking is efficient, but when you rapidly switch attention between tasks, you could be wasting focus and energy. So, if you’re meant to be studying, make sure this is all you’re focusing on.
Learn Independent Problem Solving
When you are learning remotely, you will have more flexibility, but you will need to do more yourself. This means that you need to learn to solve problems independently. Whether this is checking you’ve gathered all the necessary materials, connecting with networks or understanding the technical requirements, learn how to be proactive.
Be Productive in Teams
Not everyone enjoys team assignments, but whether you’re introverted or suffer social anxiety, they may be an integral part of your course. Additionally, project management roles require working well with others, so try to use this as another learning opportunity. When there is a team assignment, aim to communicate well, do your fair share and avoid procrastinating.
Get in Some Physical Activity
Sitting down for prolonged periods is not only bad for our physical health, but it can also affect our mental health. Physical activity can help you to manage stress and improve your focus. Whether you enjoy walking, hitting the gym or playing a sport, try to keep these activities in your schedule, so you can boost your mood and productivity.
Whether you’re just starting your working journey or are considering a career change, project management is an interesting and varied career that is set to grow in demand in the coming years. While there are many courses and programs available, online project management degrees can provide a great starting point to stand out to any recruiters or hiring managers.
