Career Guide: Project Manager

Project Manager Career Overview

Behind every major project, tight deadline and pivotal task is a project manager ensuring that every moving part runs as it should. These professionals are the driving force behind successful outcomes in countless industries. From software development and marketing campaigns to construction projects and education initiatives, project managers ensure that work gets done on time, within budget and to specification.  

If you’re a natural problem-solver with a knack for leadership and organization, a project manager career could be in your future. Learn more about this profession’s role, how you can achieve it, relevant skills and credentials, and what to expect from today’s competitive job market.  

What Is a Project manager?

A project manager is a professional who leads a project from inception to completion. They are responsible for project planning, coordination, execution and oversight. These responsibilities ensure that goals are met on time and within budget while maintaining quality.   

While the type of industry may vary, project managers are generally tasked with leading teams, managing complex tasks, communicating with stakeholders and mitigating risks. In essence, they are the glue that holds a team and their projects together.   

With such broad demand, they often specialize in a particular sector. These can include:  

• Information Technology (IT)  
• Construction and engineering  
• Healthcare and education  
• Finance and insurance  
• Marketing and creative industries  

What Do Project Managers Do?

While the specifics may vary depending on the industry, core responsibilities tend to remain the same. In general, you can expect duties such as:   

• Defining project goals and scope  
• Developing and managing budgets  
• Creating schedules and assigning tasks  
• Communicating with stakeholders and clients  
• Overseeing project lifecycles  
• Mitigating risks and solving problems  

On a day-to-day basis, a good project manager might lead morning check-ins, use project management software like Asana, Trello or Jira to track progress, resolve bottlenecks and present updates to stakeholders.  

Whether the team is launching a new product or managing a school’s transition to online learning, project managers oversee the entire project lifecycle, from start to finish, adjusting in real time as needed. 

The Role of Lifecycles in the Project Management Career

In addition to their core duties, project managers are also responsible for managing the project lifecycle – the structured phases that guide a project from initiation to closure. This includes defining objectives, planning tasks, executing deliverables, monitoring progress and completing the project with post-launch evaluations. Understanding this cycle allows project managers to ensure nothing slips through the cracks.   

As projects evolve, managers must also adapt to shifting priorities, resource constraints and stakeholder feedback. These dynamic elements require flexibility, attention to details and a commitment to continuous development – all hallmarks of effective project management.

Project Management Skills

Success in project management requires a unique blend of soft and hard skills. Generally, project managers should have the following under their belt:  

Soft Skills  

• Communication: Clear, timely communication with team members and stakeholders  
• Leadership Skills: The ability to inspire, guide and manage a team effectively  
• Time Management: Prioritizing tasks and managing deadlines  
• Problem-Solving: Navigating obstacles with flexibility and professionalism  

Hard Skills  

• Budgeting and resource allocation  
• Risk analysis  
• Proficiency with project management software such as Microsoft Project, Trello and Asana  
• Understanding of project management methodologies like Agile or Waterfall  

If you’re an aspiring project manager looking to bring your skills to the next level, there are a few steps you can take. For instance, internships can give you the knowledge you want in the real-world environment you need. Similarly, by practicing your management skills with project management software, you’ll familiarize yourself with one of the most essential tools in the profession.   

Education & Experience Requirements

As with any other profession, the journey toward a full-fledged project management career can be taken with a multi-faceted approach – it all begins with a solid educational foundation. Here’s a closer look at what the path can potentially look like:  

• Earn a Bachelor’s Degree: Most employers look for candidates with a bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, IT or a related field. A degree such as American College of Education’s (ACE)’s Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Leadership can give you a head start by focusing on practical leadership and coordination skills.   
• Gain Real-World Experience: Whether through internships, entry-level roles or leadership positions in student settings, hands-on experience is key for how your career will develop.   
• Pursue a Master’s Degree: While a graduate level degree isn’t necessary, earning a degree such as a Master of Business Administration can enhance your qualifications, particularly if you’re aiming for senior roles – it demonstrates your preparedness for high-level, highly important responsibilities. 

Project Management Certifications

Certifications can significantly improve your job prospects and earning potential. They often serve as prerequisites for higher-level project manager roles with many organizations using them to determine salary tiers or advancement eligibility. Popular options include:  

• PMP Certification (Project Management Professional): The gold standard, offered by PMI. Requires experience and formal education.  
• CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management): Ideal for entry-level professionals.  
• Agile or Scrum Certifications: Great for those working in fast-paced, iterative environments like software development.  

These certifications validate your expertise in traditional and modern project management methodologies like Waterfall and Agile, depending on your industry and goals. In structures environments like construction, the Waterfall methodology provides a clear, linear path. In contrast, Agile, much like the name suggests, works well for iterative, fast-paced industries such as tech and software development, where rapid changes are expected.

Career Paths and Advancement Opportunities

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), demand for project management specialists is projected to grow significantly over the next decade. Employment in this field is expected to increase by 7% through 2033, which is faster than the average growth rate for all occupations.¹ This growth translates to approximately 69,900 new job openings, in addition to the 973,600 positions already reported in 2023.¹  

As industries continue to expand and take on more complex projects, qualified project managers will be essential to keeping initiatives on track. Senior roles you should keep in mind as your career continues to develop include:  

• Senior Project Manager  
• Program Manager  
• Portfolio Manager  
• PMO Director (Project Management Office)  
• Chief Operating Officer (COO)  

If you’d like to specialize within your field, you can do so by pursuing specialized roles such as:  

• IT Project Manager  
• Construction Project Manager  
• Agile Coach or Scrum Master

Project Management Salary and Job Outlook

Based on some of the latest BLS data (April 2025), project management roles provide competitive compensation, especially for those with experience and compensation. 

Top employers by state (computer and information systems managers)²:  

• California
• Texas  
• New York  
• New Jersey  
• Florida  

Top employers by industry³:  

• Science and tech services  
• Construction  
• Manufacturing  
• Administrative and support services  
• Finance  

¹Bureau of Labor Statistics: Job Outlook 

²Bureau of Labor Statistics: Top Employers by State 

³Bureau of Labor Statistics: Top Employers by Industry