Four PM Career Paths

Josh is an Engineering Project Manager for Apple.

  Career Development   New Practitioners   ProjectsAtWork  

There are many different ways to launch a successful career in project management, but depending on your particular background and goals, your path will vary. Here are four common scenarios and appropriate advice for individuals who are trying to get into project management from different backgrounds.

Whether you are just graduating from school or trying to switch career paths after years in the workforce, there are many paths to a career in project management. In general, once a minimum requirement of formal education has been satisfied, work experience is the most important for advancing your project management career. Certifications and advanced degrees can wait — and many must due to the experience eligibility requirements.

Entry-level roles come in many forms.  They vary widely across organizations and industries and include but are not limited to the following: Project Coordinator; Assistant Project Manager; Junior Project Manager; Project Analyst; Work Manager; Project Lead; and Project Manager.

Depending on your background, you may be interested in these disciplines, which can be careers themselves, or a good stepping stone into project management: Project Scheduler; Project Controller; and Business Analyst

Now, let’s look at four common examples of prospective career paths in project management:

Sarah, The Newly Graduated

…

Please log in or sign up below to read the rest of the article.