What to Learn After Project Management

If you already know how to apply project management skills, you might be wondering what else you can learn to further boost your resume. Some related topics that you might consider learning includeMicrosoft Excel, Financial Modeling, or you can attain a PMP Certification.

We’ll cover these related skills below so you have a clear understanding of what skill you want to tackle next.

What is Project Management?

Project management describes the process of managing the successful completion of a project. A Project Manager guides a project through the different stages of what is known as “The Project LifeCycle,” which comprises five stages: initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and closure. A Project Manager’s most important goal is ensuring that a project is completed on time and under budget.

A Project Manager is responsible for creating a project plan to establish project goals and deadlines, delegating tasks to team members, motivating team members to meet deadlines, risk management, communicating with upper management, and resource management. Experts in Project Management estimate that around 90% of a Project Manager’s time is spent communicating. Soft skills such as communication, leadership, time management, and budgeting are required in Project Management.

Project management as a field is defined by the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) created by the Project Management Institute (PMI), which outlines best practices, methodologies, and processes for professional Project Managers. Aspiring Project Managers will want to seek out training in PMBOK as well as experience in managing real-world projects.

Project management is a hot career path that is expected to add over 22 million jobs by 2027. In addition to this booming job growth, Project Managers earn lucrative, six-figure salaries. The average salary for a Project Manager is around $115,000 annually. That’s more than double the national average across all occupations.

Read more about what project management is and why you should learn it.

What Can You Do with Project Management?

There are no limits on what can be done with project management skills. Project management is a versatile career path as Project Managers are needed in every industry and in various roles. You could continue to work in the same industry even after completing your training in Project Management.

Some Project Managers work for companies on specific projects or as part of a project team. Some Project Managers work as freelancers or consultants who assist clients on specific projects.

Project management is a very hot career path because the Project Management Institute (PMI) predicts that Project Management will increase by 33%, with 22 million new Project Manager jobs created by 2027. A significant number of Senior Project Managers are expected to retire, leading to even more job openings for those with training in Project Management.

Many of the essential skills in project management are soft skills, including communication, leadership, management ability, time management, delegation, conflict resolution, and multitasking. Project management experts estimate that around 90% of a Project Manager’s time is spent communicating. Aspiring Project Managers should have impeccable communication skills and well-developed leadership skills.

Project managers often specialize in a particular industry, such as IT, healthcare, or construction. Skills already acquired in these industries could be combined with project management training for a new career within your industry.

Microsoft Excel

The most frequently-requested skill on entry-level Project Manager job postings is proficiency in Microsoft Office. Project management professionals need to have advanced knowledge in the suite of Microsoft Office programs, especially Excel.

Noble Desktop offers live online and in-person Microsoft Excel training. You can take three levels of Excel courses or combine them as an Excel Bootcamp for a discount. Expert instructors guide students through hands-on projects to develop skills including calculations, functions, graphs, Pivot Tables, databases, and basic macros. Graduates earn a Certificate of Completion.

NYIM is another school that offers live online and in-person training in Microsoft Office. They also offer courses in Microsoft Project, one of the most widely used Project Management software programs.

Financial Modeling

Resource and budget management are some of the most critical responsibilities of a Project Manager. A solid ability to forecast financials is a critical skill for professional Project Managers.

Noble Desktop offers a Financial Modeling Bootcamp, which teaches foundational finance, accounting, and corporate valuation tools. Students are guided through hands-on, real-world financial projects to develop skills in financial concepts, market capitalization, enterprise value, discount cash flow modeling, Microsoft Excel, and financial projections. Graduates earn a Certificate of Completion to include on their Project Manager resume or portfolio.

Project Management Professional Certification (PMP)

The Project Management Institute (PMI) offers an advanced certification in Project Management. The Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification is considered the gold standard of certifications in project management. PMI reports that PMP-Certified Project Managers earn around 25% more than non-certified Project Managers.

Noble Desktop offers a PMP Certification Bootcamp to prepare graduates to pass the PMP exam. This intensive bootcamp is designed for experienced Project Managers. A PMP-Certified instructor will mentor you through the PMP exam process and provide a complete overview of the material on the exam. This bootcamp includes a proprietary exam prep guide, additional video lessons, and a digital Certificate of Completion.

Learn Project Management with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop is a coding, design, and business school based in NYC. They offer courses on various topics, including project management courses and bootcamps, both live online and at their state-of-the-art campus in Midtown Manhattan. All of their classes feature small class sizes and are taught by instructors who are experts in their industry. PMP-Certified professional Project Managers teach all their project management courses. Graduates can retake their course for up to one year for free to continue developing their knowledge and refresh their skills.

Noble Desktop’s Project Management Bootcamp provides hands-on instruction in the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) theories and methodologies needed to get hired as an entry-level Project Manager. Students receive hands-on, project-based training in topics that include the five phases of project management, creating project proposals, and working with a project team. Graduates receive a verified digital certificate of completion to help them get hired as an entry-level Project Manager. This bootcamp is also recommended for those planning to pursue either a CAPM or a PMP Certification. Both certifications require formal project management education, which this bootcamp provides.

Graduates seeking professional certification should consider Noble Desktop’s CAPM Certification Bootcamp, which guides students through PMI’s entry-level Certified Associate in Project Management Certification Exam. This four-day bootcamp includes 35 hours of hands-on instruction, live project-based training, an exam preparation guide, a video curriculum, lessons taught by a PMP Certified Project Manager, and a digital certificate of completion.

Key Insights

• After learning project management, you will need to continue to train in additional skills since Project Managers wear many hats.
• Microsoft Office proficiency is a necessary skill for aspiring Project Managers
• Understanding financial modeling and budgeting is an important skill to have in your Project Manager toolkit.
• Aspiring Project Managers should seek certification to demonstrate their knowledge to potential employers.