What is Project Management?
Majoring in project management (PM) can lead to a wide variety of exciting employment opportunities in Missouri. Companies and organizations of almost every kind are eager to hire graduates with knowledge and skills in this field. Some of the best opportunities, however, are likely to exist in the construction, marketing, information technology, biotechnology, and sustainable energy industries.
Project managers work for companies and organizations, often leading and supervising other employees. They are the individuals primarily responsible for project oversight, ensuring that tasks are completed properly, and that process run smoothly and efficiently.
While expectations vary depending on the industry that employs them, these professionals are often tasked with a wide range of duties. This often includes developing comprehensive plans for funding, staffing, and scheduling, as well as identifying, reviewing, and selecting relevant vendors and/or consultants for jobs. They may also monitor costs, identify possible issues, troubleshoot problems that arise and, when necessary, delegate responsibilities to other staff members. Notably, some jobs require project managers to spend more time interacting directly with clients, while others are far more administrative.
It's also worth noting that the responsibilities of project managers shift over time, depending on what stage the project is in. Â When starting a new assignment, these professionals often prioritize tasks associated with planning such as assessing data, finding useful resources, generating cost estimates, identifying potential risks, and designating projected completion timelines. As work progresses, they may focus their efforts more on reaching established goals. The final phase is usually more administrative, with managers ensuring that all financial statements, contracts, and other documents are organized properly.
Online Project Management Education in Missouri
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for PM specialists is expected to increase by 7% from 2021 to 2031. This is about as fast as the average for all occupations and will account for an additional 70,400 job openings each year. Employment in other management occupations is also expected to increase by 8% in the same period. This will account for another 1.1 million related positions becoming available each year.
Professional and business services is the number one largest industry in Missouri. It accounts for $42.3 billion of the state’s revenue each year. A PM is also likely to find employment in many of the state’s other sectors such as manufacturing, real estate, educational services, healthcare, retail, entertainment, and construction.
As of May 2022, Missouri employed 16,290 project management specialists and 160,530 other management professionals. The annual mean wage for PM specialists was $90,110, while the annual mean wage for other management professionals was $111,290. Both of these wages are significantly higher than the state’s annual mean wage of $54,520 for all occupations.
With numerous higher education facilities located in Missouri, prospective students will have little difficulty finding an appropriate program. Online options are also available. These may not be as suitable for individuals who plan to work in the state after graduation, however. Colleges and universities located in Missouri will provide the most geographically relevant education, ensuring that graduates possess the necessary knowledge and skills to meet local employer standards and expectations.
Online Associate (AS)
An associate project management degree is a great way to get started in the field. Many employers are interested in hiring top project management students from accredited community colleges throughout Alabama. Most associate degree holders will start with an entry-level position, but that sort of experience can be invaluable. An associate degree may also pave the way to special certificates that impress employers and help workers get ahead.
An associate degree is also a terrific start to an academic career. Alabama's community colleges require that all associate degree students complete the core college curriculum. This means that those who decide to return to school for a bachelor’s degree will be able to concentrate on their major courses rather than electives and required classes. However, some courses may have prerequisites that are not covered in the core curriculum.
Online Bachelors (BS)
A four-year bachelor’s project management degree from an accredited Alabama college or university is probably the best foundation for success in the field. Students who have spent four years concentrating on project management will have had the opportunity to explore the field from a variety of angles. Thus, they will be able to problem solve and otherwise face new challenges with aplomb.
Over the course of a bachelor’s project management degree, students take courses that focus on special topics in the field, but they also have the opportunity to gain real experience. Internship opportunities are often available for bachelor’s degree students, and Alabama firms will often be eager to bring aboard an intern to help with their day-to-day operations. Students might also seek out internships in other areas of the country, such as Atlanta or New York City, during the summer. Many project management students seek part time experience with local firms that help them gain deeper insight into project management.
Online Masters (MS)
Eventually, most project managers return to school for a master’s project management degree, if not an MBA with a project management concentration. This level of academic achievement is very impressive for hiring managers, so undergraduate project management students should start considering graduate school during their third and fourth years of college.
A master’s project management degree helps students achieve a number of goals. First off, these degrees can be useful in earning a promotion in one's current job. It also is likely to help with raises and overall compensation. A master’s project management degree may also help professionals earn more advanced certificates, which only bolster their resumes. Many certificates have degree requirements, which an MS in project management or an MBA with a project management concentration should satisfy. Some project managers also seek out a master’s degree in management or in a field directly related to their work, such as information technology or accounting. Such industry- or department-specific knowledge can help them better understand their projects, team members, and clients.
Online Doctorate (PhD)
A PhD or doctorate in project management may not be entirely necessary for success in the field. Project managers can usually avoid a doctorate by earning a MS in project management or an MBA with project management as a concentration. When they add a certificate or two, their level of knowledge and expertise soon reaches the level required to gain access to the highest roles in their field, without the need for a PhD. Furthermore, since certificates need to be renewed on an annual or biannual basis, the holder is constantly increasing their knowledge in the field.
However, a PhD or doctorate in project management may come in handy for a secondary career in academia. While many colleges and universities hire instructors at the master’s degree level, a PhD is often required to gain full-time, tenure-track employment. Professionals may seek out employment as a professor but there may be opportunities to work as research faculty, which means that most time is spent researching special topics and often selling reports to firms who wish to improve their approach to project management.