As IT projects grow in size and complexity, project managers are becoming increasingly valuable resources. Having the skills to perform efficiently and effectively as a project manager open the door to many opportunities. Pursuing a Master’s in Project Management online is an excellent stepping-stone toward future career success.
Role of Project Managers
The role of the project manager is often overlooked as people gravitate towards more technical positions, despite how crucial it is to any organization hoping to deploy and manage successful IT projects. As the complexity and scale of these projects grow almost daily, more and more forethought and oversight need to be put into their creation, definition, execution, and tracking. Now more than ever, there are opportunities for people with the proper project management knowledge and skills to lead these projects. Whether you consider yourself part of the IT field, part of the administrative field with an interest in IT, or both, a degree in project management can be a stepping stone to new career opportunities.
Information Technology Is a Rapidly Expanding Field
One of the reasons pursuing project management can benefit you is that information technology is a rapidly expanding industry today. While some other sectors are being downsized after hitting their respective peaks, many IT professionals find it increasingly easy to find work as more positions are created based on need. The simple fact is that more and more computers and networks help to run our world. New jobs arise daily as companies add new technologies in increasing numbers to their portfolio. Along with these new technologies, project managers and IT professionals are needed to oversee their implementation. A current IT employee can often find new opportunities in the IT field with a project management degree. It can be the difference between being passed over for a management promotion or being selected to receive it. Having the skills to manage projects can ensure that you can advance in your current job or find a new one because of the number of opportunities available.
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Take your IT career to the next level by pursuing your Master’s in Project Management degree from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota online.
IT Benefits from Management
Because of the rapid expansion and ever-changing specifications inherent in new technology, working on the implementation side of the information technology field is a full-time job. Often IT professionals don’t have time to perform managerial tasks or the technical portions of their careers. As a result, IT projects that are not well-managed can quickly grow out of scope or budget, fall behind on deadlines and become expensive to companies. By having the skills to manage project factors and people, project managers bring the valuable and much-needed service of direction to the table. In addition, the project manager keeps track of the administrative side so the team can focus on the best possible solution to whatever problem they are confronted with.
Grounded in Organizational Skill
From another perspective, a Master’s in Project Management can also open many other organizational doors. Not only will you be able to skillfully manage teams and projects, which are the cornerstones of any management position, but you will also gain an understanding and appreciation of information technology currently in use by leading companies. Often the project manager is the critical liaison between upper-level management and the teams tasked with completing projects. As such, they have experience in both the IT and administrative areas. This duality of knowledge can make you uniquely qualified to make essential decisions that can have a company-wide effect. This highly desirable characteristic can be just the distinguishing part of your resume needed to get that promotion or job that may feel out of reach.
Project Management Positions
Different Teams
In today’s job market, there are many opportunities for individuals with project management expertise. Current project management careers that are up and coming involve being project managers for fast-paced software development teams, new advanced network deployments, teams that deploy new desktop computers, and for software and hardware implementations needed in specialized industries like healthcare and manufacturing. This is only a small subsection of positions currently available, and new opportunities become available every day in a widely varying range of industries and companies. Prior project management experience can also open the door for most other management-type positions.
Compensation
The salaries of a project manager can vary over a wide range. Where on this spectrum a project manager falls largely depends on how much education they have, how much experience they have, the specific industry the position is in, and the geographic location of the work itself. A degree in project management is a huge indicator that you are a severe career-driven professional to a potential employer and will carry you forward to success.
Project Management Degree
While gaining experience on the job is possible, it can take many years to develop the skills necessary to be an effective and efficient project manager. Often, that kind of time investment isn’t practical for the professional looking to advance their career rapidly. However, the process can be sped up drastically by pursuing education through a degree program.
Online Programs
As with most areas of expertise, different degree programs are in the market to fulfill the employment need. As an alternative to classroom-based programs, getting an MSPM online degree can be a worthwhile step.
Benefits of an online degree program include:
- Flexible study hours
- Time and money saved on transportation
- Online collaboration with classmates
- Affordability
For professionals currently working in the field, this type of program can provide the necessary flexibility to fit around a busy schedule. Online coursework can usually be completed during off hours rather than having to attend classes at pre-scheduled times during what may generally be work hours. Online courses can often be more affordable – not just in tuition but in costs saved by not commuting to campus.
Project management is a growing field with an increasing number of job openings. By pursuing a Master’s in Project Management, one can quickly and efficiently learn the skills necessary to advance in their current career path or find new opportunities.