Are Project Management Classes Worth It?

Project management classes are a great way to learn all the skills that you’ll need to work in this field, however, they can require a significant investment on your part, of both time and money. As a result, you may be wondering whether classes are worth it. When you take a class, you’re guided through a comprehensive curriculum by an expert instructor, and if you’re serious about learning project management, you’ll probably decide that a class is a good investment. Before you sign up for one though, it’s a good idea to understand your options. This article discusses some of the factors you might want to consider if you’re trying to decide whether or not a project management class is worth it.

What Is Project Management?

Project Managers oversee the process of initiating, organizing, and managing a variety of different types of projects. They are responsible for ensuring that projects are completed on time and within budget, and their job typically includes creating a plan for completion, allocating resources, and managing a team. Project Managers use a variety of different tools, including digital project management applications. They work in many different industries including construction, engineering, healthcare, and information technology. There are also many different types of project management, which are used for different purposes and in different industries. They include Waterfall, Agile, Lean, and Scrum.

What Can You Do With Project Management?

Project management skills can be a way towards a relatively stable and high-paying career. In a May 2024 Forbes article, the author lists project management as one of three high-income jobs that you can get without a college degree. She says, “In your role as a project manager, you can expect to make between $65,661 to $83,483 on average. As you work up the ladder in management, you could eventually realize earnings of up to $143,000.” In addition, she explains that Project Managers are needed in many different industries, which can make this profession more secure than some others. She says, “You can easily apply this skill to multiple industries and in a wide variety of contexts. This helps you to future-proof your career, as you will always have the ability to be able to bounce regardless of the job market.”

Advantages of Project Management Classes

Project management classes have many different benefits. In an article titled “What Are the Best Ways to Keep Up with Project Management Trends”, LinkedIn explains, “Courses and certifications can help you learn new methodologies, frameworks, and tools that can improve your project management performance and efficiency. You can also demonstrate your competence and credibility to your employers, clients, and stakeholders.” Project management is a complex skill, and while it can ultimately be mastered by almost anyone, the learning process is likely to be challenging if you don’t have the guidance of an expert. Trying to teach yourself project management can be time-consuming and involve a lot of trial and error as you try to figure out exactly what it is that you need to learn. For this reason, most people choose to take a formal class. When you take a class, you’ll follow a comprehensive curriculum under the guidance of an expert instructor. You can be confident that you’re learning all of the techniques and tools that you’ll need, and you’ll develop a good understanding of when to use them. In addition to providing you with a comprehensive curriculum, project management classes have a number of other benefits including personalized attention and feedback, access to the latest technology, and skills that can help you find a secure job with a good salary.

Professional Instruction

One of the biggest benefits of a project management class is that it will give you access to instruction and feedback from an expert. Most project management instructors have years of experience both in teaching and in the field of project management. They can guide you through a structured program that starts with the basics and then moves on to more advanced skills, and they can personalize their instruction to meet your needs. Throughout the learning process, they can answer your questions and provide feedback on your progress. Feedback is an important part of learning, and allows you to learn from your successes and failures and to improve your skills. By learning from a seasoned professional, you can also be confident that you’re gaining an understanding of all of the principles and tools that professional project managers use. In addition, your instructor can share tips and tricks that could take you years to figure out by yourself. With the knowledge that you gain from professional instruction, you can work more confidently and effectively as a Project Manager.

Peer Connections

Another benefit of taking a class is that you’ll learn as part of a group. There are many benefits to learning in a group rather than by yourself. It can be easier to gain a deeper understanding of the subject material by discussing it and working through exercises as a group. In some cases, you might ask peers for help or you might be the one offering help to your peers, both of which can enhance the learning process. Being part of a group of people with similar professional goals can also give you access to networking opportunities that can lead to career support or job opportunities. In a September 25, 2023 blog post, the London Management Centre says that collaborative learning with peers “can transform the educational journey.” It explains, “Collaborative learning encourages students to engage in lively discussions, debates, and problem-solving activities with their peers. These interactions stimulate critical thinking by presenting multiple perspectives on a topic. As students articulate their thoughts and listen to others, they develop the ability to analyse information more critically and make well-informed decisions.”

Access to Up-to-Date Techniques and Technology

By taking a project management class, you can also be confident that you’re learning the most current theories and tools. The field of project management changes often, and theories and tools have the potential to become outdated. In a January 2024 LinkedIn article, Project Manager Matt Wilkie explains that for this reason, Project Managers need to stay open to learning throughout their careers. He says, “Continuous learning is a key component of a successful career in project management. By embracing a learning mindset, keeping up with industry trends, investing in professional development, learning from each project, and sharing knowledge, you can stay ahead in this dynamic field.”

Preparing for Employment

Another benefit of learning project management by taking a class is that many classes provide career support in addition to skills training. If you opt for a longer class like a bootcamp or certificate course that is designed to get you career-ready, then that class will be likely to devote time to working on things that will set you up for success in the professional world. For example, you may work on projects that are similar to what you would work on in a professional project management job. You might also spend time developing a portfolio, which is a collection of your best work that you can use to demonstrate your skills to potential clients or employers. Some classes also offer access to career support services where you can get advice about your resume and the job search and interview process.

Career Benefits

Yet another good reason to take a project management class is that it can lead the way to a relatively high-paying job and a stable career. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)--a federal agency that gathers and analyzes U.S. labor market statistics--finds that between 2022 and 2032, the projected change in employment for Project Management Specialists is 6 percent. This is higher than the average U.S. job growth rate of about 3 percent. It predicts that over this decade, there will be approximately 68,000 job openings in this field each year in the United States. According to BLS, “As organizations seek ways to maintain and improve productivity, employment of project management specialists is expected to increase.” It adds, “Demand for project management specialists is expected to be strong in computer systems design services. More project management specialists will be needed to manage the growing volume and complexity of information technology (IT) projects required to support expanded telework.” Depending on what type of projects they manage, Project Managers earn between $88,000 and $117,000 yearly.

A project management class can also help you earn a certification, which can come with even more career benefits. In a November 2023 report, the Project Management Institute shares the results of a survey of more than 20,000 professionals in 21 countries. It reports that individuals who earned a Project Management Professional certification had a salary that was 33 percent higher on average.

Learn Project Management with Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop is based in New York City and offers a number of different project management classes, with both short courses that can help you quickly master the basics, and longer, more comprehensive programs, where you can develop a strong project management skill set. Its project management classes can be taken in person at its Manhattan facility or in a live online format. Noble Desktop is licensed by the New York State Education Department. All courses include the option of a free retake within one year.

If you’re looking for a short introductory class, Noble offers Project Management Level I, which covers the methods and strategies of modern project management theory. You’ll learn about the process of project management and cover the five phases. After that, you’ll spend more time focusing on the initiation and planning stages. Finally, you’ll learn about what it takes to be a successful project manager, including important strategies and skills. This course includes an overview of project management apps, associations, and certifications. You’ll also receive a slide deck that contains practical knowledge and a variety of exercises. 

Noble Desktop also has a more advanced class called Project Management Level II, which builds off the skills covered in the Level I class. In Level II, you’ll learn about the execution monitoring, and closing phases of project management. Instructors will also cover working with budgets and costs, managing limited resources, and staying within your budget. This course includes an introduction to Agile Project Management and popular Agile frameworks.

If you want a more comprehensive course, Noble also runs a Project Management Bootcamp. This class is designed for students who want to learn more about project management, including the five phases of a project, and who want to begin a project management career. It is a combination of the school’s Level I and Level II classes and is offered at a discount. When you take the Project Management Bootcamp, you’ll learn the five phases of project management and will receive a slide deck that contains a variety of exercises. You’ll also learn about Waterfall, Critical Path, and Agile methods of project management, including popular Agile frameworks. You’ll receive a certificate of completion at the end of the class.

Another class option is Microsoft Project Level I, which is focused on this popular project management tool. This class is for PC users only; it cannot be completed with a Mac computer. The class is intended for users who need to manage multiple projects, want to increase efficiencies, and need to better manage resources. You’ll learn about the basic functions and features of Microsoft Project Professional. Covered topics include essential project management concepts, defining projects, entering tasks and examining task relationships, managing resources, optimizing, setting baselines, and sharing project plans. 

Noble also offers Microsoft Project Level II, where you’ll cover more advanced features of this application. You’ll learn how to update a project plan to reflect progress, how to monitor project progress in the project plan, and how to adjust the plan to control constraints. You’ll also learn to create project reports and customize project settings. Students who want to take the Level II course should have first completed Level I.