How to Become a Project Manager

Looking for a fresh start in a new field? Consider project management, an extremely versatile and transferable career path. In today's fast-changing economy, it's a solid choice for many young and mid-career professionals looking to change or advance their careers in a range of industries.

Project managers are in demand throughout tech, healthcare, finance—nearly any field that requires leadership, organization, and communication experts to coordinate vast and complex projects.

Compensation is quite generous, as well, with a median annual salary of more than $100,000 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS also projects around 7% job growth for the field through 2033, faster than the national average. Best of all, you don't need prior experience as a project manager, and you probably already have more project management skills than you realize.

If you've ever headed up a group project, helped organize meetings or events, or just contributed ideas effectively and clearly, you already have a head start on a project management career. Relevant training and a solid understanding of current project management methodologies and industry standards, such as those offered through UC Irvine DCE, provide a strong foundation for success.

Thinking of taking the plunge? A good place to start is by taking inventory of your strengths and weaknesses. Which skills need to be acquired or improved on?

Prepare for the Journey

What are your key hard skills, your technical abilities, and soft skills such as communication and leadership? Do you seek opportunities to take leading roles in team management, planning, and scheduling? How organized are you? How clearly can you articulate a vision or a plan?

Indulge in some self-reflection, think about what comes naturally to you and those times you've struggled to find a solution to a complex situation. What energized you? What tasks drained you? It's a good way to start identifying your natural talents, the things that come easily to you.

Keep a log for a week. Highlight tasks that take too long, cause stress, or cause you to procrastinate. These are often areas where improvement is needed. Write it all down, then seek outside feedback.

Get Valuable Feedback

Start by going over your past employee performance reviews, taking note of what qualities won high marks and which needed some work. Ask coworkers and managers for an honest assessment, as well.

Reach out to former professors and other college contacts for advice. If possible, seek guidance from current project managers. If you have an opportunity to shadow a project manager for a day—maybe a coworker, friend, or someone you know from college—that would be especially helpful.

Compare With Current Job Listings

Once you've taken careful inventory, evaluate your skill sets against the skills and attributes that employers are looking for by scouring current job listings for project managers. Check job sites such as Burning Glass, LinkedIn, and Indeed.

You can also access professional assessment tools and online quizzes (like those on Indeed Career Guide or Truity Career Personality Profiler) to objectively evaluate your proficiency in specific hard and soft skills. You'll likely find that you already possess some skills that transfer directly to project management.

Work On Your Skills

There are plenty of opportunities to work on your project management skills in your current position. Volunteer for leadership opportunities whenever you can and become more involved in group projects. Try honing your communication and organizing skills, with special attention to meeting deadlines promptly.

When you feel ready, it's time to identify your best academic opportunity for a valued project management certificate program that can open new doors. If you're currently employed, it's especially important to find one that's designed to accommodate your busy schedule—and that's where UC Irvine's Division of Continuing Education comes in.

Gain Credentials Employers Recognize

Taught by experienced professionals, the UC Irvine DCE Project Management certificate program is highly regarded by employers and is a popular option for newcomers, career changers, and current managers looking to take the next step. Each course addresses a different stage or aspect of project management, from launch to execution, with instructors drawing on their own areas of expertise. The program is continually updated to cover all principles, theories, and practices laid out in the most current edition of the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK)®, the globally recognized standard for project management professionals.

After completing the 9- to 12-month online and in-person program, you'll be better prepared to pursue the Project Management Professional (PMP) ® certification exam administered by the Project Management Institute (PMI)®. Recognized worldwide, PMP® certification can demonstrate your project management knowledge and experience and may be valued by employers across a range of industries.

Gain Practical Experience

Current learners and alumni have access to DCE's Career Advancement Network (CAN), which offers a range of valuable services: professional one-on-one coaching and mentoring, tech tools, webinars and workshops, internship opportunities, and an array of free online career resources.

Candidates can speak with a DCE counselor and check for open micro-internships. There are hundreds of paid positions, mostly remote, that offer excellent experience. Learners can also seek out opportunities through their own networks, including DCE instructors who may have connections with local companies seeking new talent.

Not only does an internship provide valuable job experience for aspiring project managers, but it can also lead directly to a full-time position. Many Orange County companies rely on UC Irvine as a source of highly trained professionals due to the university's excellent reputation and high standards.

Start a Job Search

Once it's time to start looking for open positions, CAN offers several valuable tools and services. The 12Twenty Job Board features hundreds of job listings, and the online platform Big Interview provides mock interviews along with detailed feedback that can improve performance.

You can also upload your resume to sites like Jobscan, which will match it against current openings and provide recommendations on how to tailor it for maximum results.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do I need a degree to become a project manager?

Not necessarily. Many employers place emphasis on certifications like the PMP® and demonstrated experience. A respected certificate from an accredited university like UC Irvine can be highly competitive on its own.

How long does it take to get PMP® certified?

UC Irvine DCE’s Project Management certificate program can be completed in 9–12 months and provides project management education that can help prepare you to pursue the PMP® certification exam administered by the Project Management Institute (PMI)®.

What industries hire the most project managers?

Project managers are in demand across nearly every sector, including tech, healthcare, finance, construction and government, among others. That versatility is one of the field's biggest advantages.

Is project management a good career change?

For many people, yes. The median annual salary exceeds $100,000, the field is growing, and the skills required—planning, communication, leadership—are ones many professionals have already been developing throughout their careers.

Interested in learning more?

A DCE Enrollment Coach can help you create a personalized academic plan and answer your questions. Book an appointment and explore the Project Management certificate program.