Project Management is a thriving field predicted to offer 90 million jobs by 2027, and with an average salary of $116,000 per year, it offers lucrative career opportunities. This content outlines the key steps to kickstart a career in Project Management, from gaining soft skills through leading projects, earning a certificate in project management to creating a project manager portfolio.

Key Insights

  • By 2027, the Project Management field is anticipated to provide a whopping 90 million jobs, highlighting the enormous potential in this domain.
  • The average salary for a Project Manager is approximately $116,000 per annum, indicating the lucrative opportunities in the field.
  • Soft skills such as communication, time management, budgeting, task management, and leadership are fundamental for Project Managers.
  • Aspiring Project Managers must earn a certification or certificate in project management to showcase their proficiency in project management methods and strategies.
  • Noble Desktop offers both introductory and advanced courses in project management, covering essential topics included in PMI’s Project Management Body of Knowledge, and providing hours towards a professional certification like PMI’s Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM).
  • Creating a Project Management Portfolio is crucial as it gives Project Managers the chance to demonstrate their soft skills and detail how they tackled specific problems within a project.

It is predicted that by 2027 there will be 90 million jobs in Project Management. There is a talent gap between the number of companies that want to hire Project Managers and the number of people with the necessary skills.

The average salary for a Project Manager is around $116,000 per year: that’s more than double the national average for all occupations. Between jobs being added, the talent gap, and lucrative salary opportunities, Project management is a great career to consider. 

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Step #1 Gain Soft Skills through Leading Projects

Project Managers need many soft skills, including excellent communication, time management, budgeting, task management, and leadership skills. You’ll need to demonstrate that you have used these skills while managing a project. 

You can dip your toes into project management by seeking ways to gain experience in leading projects. Testing the waters can help you develop soft skills and see if project management is your right career path. You could gain soft skills by taking a leadership role on projects at your current job. Or, it could mean organizing a project within your community. These are low-stakes ways to gain experience leading projects. 

Step #2 Earn a Certificate in Project Management

In addition to the soft skills one gains while managing projects, aspiring Project Managers will want to earn a certification or certificate in project management to demonstrate to potential employers or clients that they are knowledgeable in project management methods and strategies. 

For example, Noble Desktop offers both an introductory and an advanced course in project management: Project Management Level I and Project Management Level II. These courses cover the project management methods and strategies included in PMI’s Project Management Body of Knowledge and provide hours toward a professional certification, such as PMI’s entry-level certification in project management called the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM). 

Step #3 Create Your Project Manager Portfolio

In addition to a traditional resume, Project Managers are expected to have a Project Management Portfolio. Many of the skills used by Project Managers are soft skills. A portfolio provides the opportunity for you to communicate these abstract skills concretely. For example, you could include a section on your Communication Skills and how you improved communication channels on a previous project. 

You’ll also want to include concrete details on how you solved specific problems within a project. Provide your readers with a story about your approach to projects. Make sure to include any projects you’ve completed or certificates you’ve earned, such as Noble Desktop’s Certificate in Project Management.