As a career path, Project Management holds plenty of promise. There is hardly an organization that does not require the services of project managers these days, which is why there is no time like the present to enter this attractive sector.
To that end, getting a project management degree will set you up nicely. It will give you a thorough grounding in different aspects of the profession. Moreover, you can pursue different kinds of jobs with a project management degree.
One recommended area for you to explore is marketing project management. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics has predicted an 8% growth in employment for Marketing Managers between 2018 and 2028. This will add nearly 21,000 new vacancies. So, if this dynamic field interests you, then keep reading. You will find important information here about reputed degree programs and popular career paths.
What Is Project Management?
Simply put, Project Management refers to the activities carried out for the completion of any project. It is the application of technical knowledge, specialized skills, job-specific tools, and relevant techniques while carrying out different tasks aimed at meeting project requirements. Any project management endeavor involves setting goals, creating task plans and timelines, evaluating progress on goals, and making any necessary adjustments/changes to achieve the desired results.
What Can You Do With a Project Management Degree?
With a degree in Project Management, you can pursue various kinds of employment opportunities. These include Project Manager, Advertising and Marketing Manager, General and Operations Manager, Architectural and Engineering Manager, Construction Manager, Project Management Consultant, Logistics Manager, etc.
The following section provides compensation details and projected career outlook for some of these occupations. All the data has been obtained and reproduced here courtesy of the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Architectural and Engineering Managers
Architectural and engineering managers plan, direct, and coordinate activities in architectural and engineering companies.
| Annual Median Salary, 2019 | $144,830 | |
| Job Outlook, 2018-2028 | 3% | |
| Annual Mean Salary, 2019 | $152,930 | |
| State with the Highest Employment Level, 2019 | California | 34,140 |
| State with the Highest Salary, 2019 | California | $179,860 |
Marketing Managers
Advertising, promotions, and marketing managers plan programs to generate interest in products or services. They work with art directors, advertising sales agents, and financial staff members.
| Annual Median Salary, 2019 | $136,850 | |
| Job Outlook, 2018-2028 | 8% | |
| Annual Mean Salary, 2019 | $149,200 | |
| State with the Highest Employment Level, 2019 | California | 40,900 |
| State with the Highest Salary, 2019 | New York | $186,350 |
Construction Managers
Construction managers plan, coordinate, budget, and supervise construction projects from start to finish.
| Annual Median Salary, 2019 | $95,260 | |
| Job Outlook, 2018-2028 | 10% | |
| Annual Mean Salary, 2019 | $105,000 | |
| State with the Highest Employment Level, 2019 | Texas | 34,560 |
| State with the Highest Salary, 2019 | New Jersey | $147,410 |
What to Expect from a Project Management Degree?
Over the course of a Project Management degree, you will learn about Planning and Resource Management, Project Communications, Advanced Project Management, Project Cost-Benefit Analysis, Risk Management, Global Project Management, Project Accounting, Financial Analysis and Management, Forecasting and Valuation Techniques, IT Project Management, General Business Skills, etc.
How to Choose a Project Management Degree Program?
You need to keep certain things under consideration when deciding on a Project Management degree to pursue. The first and most important one is the accreditation status of a particular program. Moreover, you need to look at the program fee, course contents, campus location, and available transport options, research and specialization choices, on-campus/off-campus residence availability (for schools located out of city/state), future career prospects, etc.
Project Management Admission Requirements
Admission requirements tend to vary based on a particular school as well as degree level. For instance, entering a Bachelor’s program requires getting a High School Diploma or GED (General Educational Development) Certificate along with a good SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) or ACT (American College Testing) score.
On the other hand, the entrance criteria for a short-term certificate or diploma program will be different. You may only need to finish high school for it. Similarly, for enrolling in a Master’s degree such as an MBA (Master of Business Administration), you need to take the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) while making sure that your Bachelor’s GPA is above the minimum threshold set by your preferred school.