Think about the last project you worked on. Maybe you were working as part of a team — perhaps you were even the team leader. Or, maybe you handled everything independently. Whether it was a school project, a work project, or a home DIY project, you likely came up with a set of steps designed to achieve your predefined result. You may have had to troubleshoot issues and communicate roadblocks with other stakeholders, like an instructor, colleague, or family member.
During that time, you were effectively practicing project management. The Project Management Institute (PMI) defines a project as a “series of structured tasks, activities, and deliverables that are carefully executed to achieve a desired outcome.” So, even if you don’t have professional experience as a project manager, you probably have plenty of practical experience.
Project managers (PMs) are needed in nearly every industry, and are especially valuable in construction, software development, finance, advertising, and healthcare. In this article, we’ll provide you with a roadmap to get you into your first project management role. Whether you’re a recent graduate or a professional transitioning from another industry, it’s possible to become a skilled project manager from scratch.
What Is Project Management?
Project management is the process of planning, organizing, and managing resources to ensure the successful completion of a particular project. A project is defined as a combination of set goals and objectives to be met within a specific time period.
A project manager is pivotal to a project’s success from start to finish. They coordinate with stakeholders, set timelines, monitor budgets, and oversee other critical factors associated with a project. Effective project managers are able to balance competing priorities and navigate the complexities of various projects.
Organizations with strong project management practices complete more projects on time and within budget, making project management skills essential across a wide range of industries. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), project management specialists are employed in fields such as construction, information technology, finance, and healthcare. This highlights the importance of project management as a career choice and underscores the potential for growth and stability in this field.
Assessing Your Skills and Interests
Once you’ve decided to start learning project management skills, the first step is to assess your current abilities and strengths. On top of technical skills, project managers must possess critical soft skills that align with project management principles:
- Leadership
- Organizational skills
- Time management
- Problem-solving skills
- Proactive thinking
- Attention to detail
- Project planning
- Strong communication skills
Don’t have professional experience? That’s okay. Many learners gain valuable, transferable skills through their education, part-time jobs, or extracurricular activities. For example, you may have held a leadership role in your school, captained a sports team, or coordinated a volunteer project. These all require skills that are relevant to a project management career.
Exploring Education and Certification Options
Becoming a project manager from scratch will depend on your experience level. Here’s a breakdown of recommended educational paths for learners at different career stages:
- For learners in college: New college students are in a great position to align their education with a future career in project management. Undergraduate programs in business administration, management, and industrial engineering can provide a strong foundation in relevant skills and knowledge, including project management methodologies.
- For learners with experience in a non-project management field: Professionals in a variety of industries are well-positioned to transition into project management. Online programs, like our Digital Project Management Certificate Course, offer practical insights and hands-on experience that can complement your existing skills.
- For learners with extensive experience in a different field: A long career can be a valuable asset, especially for aspiring project managers who wish to remain in their field but pivot toward a PM role. A master’s program with a project management focus can provide the advanced knowledge you need to qualify for higher-level opportunities.
As an aspiring project manager, you may also be interested in exploring industry certifications offered through the PMI, such as:
- Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)®
- Project Management Professional (PMP)®
- PMI Construction Professional (PMI-CP)™
- PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)®
- PMO Certified Practitioner (PMO-CP)™
By tailoring your educational path and certifications to your current experience level, you can effectively prepare for a successful career in project management and enhance your job prospects in this dynamic field.
Gaining Relevant Project Management Experience
After obtaining project management skills, knowledge, and certifications, it’s important to put your education into practice. Internships and entry-level roles can provide a smooth transition into the field, which can be especially beneficial for PMs with little or no professional experience.
As you start browsing jobs, you may see a variety of titles listed. Common entry-level project manager roles include:
- Junior Project Manager
- Junior Project Leader
- Project Coordinator
- Assistant Project Manager
- Associate Project Manager
- Digital Project Manager
Junior project manager roles may be similar in nature, however, it’s important to remember that every organization has its own approach to project management. Some teams may prefer agile project management to handle complex projects, while others may take a waterfall or scrum approach. Be sure to familiarize yourself with various project management approaches to increase your marketability as a job applicant.
If you’re not ready to start applying for jobs, volunteer opportunities are another great way to build your project management experience. Look into community projects, local events, or nonprofit organizations that may need project management assistance. These experiences do more than strengthen your resume — they also help you develop essential project management skills.
Whether you choose to dive into the job search or prefer to ease into PM roles, it’s also important to seek out networking and mentorship opportunities wherever possible. Search LinkedIn, join professional groups, and seek out industry events to connect with professionals who can help you navigate your career path.
Developing Key Project Management Skills and Abilities
Project managers possess a wide range of technical and interpersonal skills that enable them to perform key activities, including:
- Communicating with clients and stakeholders
- Developing project plans
- Identifying, vetting, and selecting outside contributors as needed
- Assigning tasks to project members
- Identifying and resolving problems that arise during the project
- Monitoring project costs, milestones, and deliverables
- Proposing modifications to project plans if necessary
- Producing and distributing project documents
PMs also use a variety of project management software, tools, and platforms to track project progress and monitor for roadblocks or opportunities. Many of them include AI-powered features to automate routine tasks or identify project roadblocks and opportunities. Take a look at the table below to learn about common available options:
| Platform | AI Features |
| Asana | Asana uses AI-powered forecasting to predict future demands and team capacity based on historical data. |
| Notion | Notion provides AI-generated content suggestions and auto-completes notes and database entries based on previous inputs. |
| Trello | Trello comes with a built-in AI tool that enables users to create custom rules, buttons, and commands to automate routine tasks. |
| Jira | Jira uses AI for predictive analytics and automated issue classification to forecast timelines and streamline ticket management |
| Wrike | Wrike’s AI uses historical time tracking data to provide estimates and recommendations for future project timelines. |
| Basecamp | Basecamp prevents information overload by using AI to understand how and when users interact with notifications. |
| Smartsheet | Smartsheet offers smart, AI-enabled resource management tools that can lead to more balanced workloads and optimized project scheduling. |
Building Your Project Management Portfolio
When you start researching and applying for project management roles, you may notice requests for portfolios or work samples. These allow employers to see how you think through the project management process and assess your skill level with respect to the position.
As you build your portfolio, highlight various projects you worked on during your education, internships, or volunteer time, with clear documentation of your role, any challenges you encountered, and outcomes. You can feature your portfolio on a personal website, create a presentation to send to potential employers, or promote your work samples on LinkedIn or other networking websites.
Landing Your First Project Management Role
After you obtain a project management education, earn relevant certifications, and build your project portfolio, you’re ready to start applying for project management jobs. Take note of the skills required for each role and tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant abilities.
This is also the time to leverage your industry connections. Check in with project managers and other professionals who can introduce you to hiring managers or refer you for open positions within their organizations.
When it’s time for the interview, don’t panic! Wear a confidence-boosting outfit, walk in with your head high, and stay professional in your communication. Prepare for interviews by practicing your answers to common questions, such as:
- How do you define project success?
- What metrics do you use to measure the success of a project?
- What is your approach to risk management?
- Why are you interested in project management?
- How do you approach project scheduling?
- Have you ever worked on a project that did not meet the deadline?
After the interview, be sure to send a follow-up email to your point of contact and anyone else you met to thank them for their time.
Jump-start Your Project Management Journey
So, is it possible to become a project manager without experience? Absolutely. Building a successful project manager career in the field requires a combination of education, practical experience, and skill development. Before you know it, you can build the experience needed to progress through your career and become a senior project manager.
Our Digital Project Management Certificate Course offers a solid foundation for learners starting from square one — whether they’re applying for their first professional role or transitioning out of a long-term career in another industry. No matter the path you choose, remember to embrace the opportunities, build your network, and stay on top of industry developments for long-term success.
