What is Project Management?
Oklahoma may have one of the smallest populations in the United States, but it definitely makes its mark on the wider economy. Since its inception, Oklahoma has been home to hopeful prospectors who were able to make a happy life in rather inhospitable conditions. It went on to be home to the world's greatest oil hub and now ranks 2nd in the nation for mining, quarrying, and oil & gas extraction. This industry brings Oklahoma nearly $30 billion in annual revenues.
The natural resources sector is a significant driver of the Oklahoman economy, and its #2 industry is real estate. Much of the activity in Oklahoma's real estate sector may be a result of leases and rent paid on land used for natural resource extraction. After all, the state is rather sparsely populated, depressing demand for housing or commercial space.
The impact of natural resources may also be a driver in the state's #3 industrial sector, manufacturing. After all, the barrels of oil must be refined, and minerals need to be processed. Much of this activity may take place in other states, though, since Oklahoma's manufacturing sector ranks 34th nationwide, yet it still brings the state nearly $19 billion in annual funds.
The fourth largest sector in Oklahoma is of interest to us here. The sector known as professional and business services brings the state $17 billion each year and ranks 32nd nationwide. This area covers a range of industries including waste management, management consulting, accounting, commercial laboratories, and even landscaping services. This industrial classification also includes services such as project management, as conducted by consulting firms.
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Online Project Management Education in Oklahoma
The state legislature in Oklahoma recognizes the need for project managers in the state, and part of their response is to ensure that the state's colleges and universities have ample funds for college degree programs. Business degree programs in Oklahoma use these funds to attract top project management experts working in academia so that Oklahoma's graduate and undergraduate students have the benefit of their knowledge and wisdom. They also seek project managers from the local economy to teach undergraduates. After all, if local professionals can give students an insider's view of project management in Oklahoma, everyone wins.
A project manager is a business professional who oversees projects rather than departments. That is, where a manager needs to look out for the long-term viability of their department or business, a project manager is only concerned with starting and completing a set work order. Project managers may oversee a construction project, for instance. They are also prevalent in the IT realm, where they assemble a team of tech professionals to complete jobs such as a hardware or software installation, cyber security overhaul, or a refresh of a company's IT infrastructure.
Project managers not only spend their time administering a team, but they also keep close contact with the client or permanent manager on site. They receive updates from each and work to keep the project on task and ahead of schedule. Project managers in the consulting sector may also seek out new business. They write proposals to potential clients and then receive a commission based on the revenues generated for their consulting firm.
Online Associates (AS)
A two-year associate project management degree is a terrific launchpad for a career in business. Students in community colleges are schooled in the fundamentals of project management and are primed to land an entry-level position with a consulting firm or a larger corporation that needs project management professionals. These two-year programs may also qualify students for certifications in project management that may satisfy many potential employers while expanding their personal knowledge of the field.
An associate project management degree is also desirable because of the broad-based curriculum it entails. Each associate project management degree student must complete both their major degree requirements and the core college curriculum that all bachelor’s degree students must take. This helps each associate degree student become well-rounded, educated individuals. Those core classes also help project managers become more effective communicators both in written communications and on an interpersonal level.
National Online Rankings - Top 5 Associate PM ProgramsOnline Bachelors (BS)
A bachelor’s project management degree is probably the best way to get started in the field. These four-year degrees require that students spend most of two full years immersed in their major degree field. This means that project management degree students dive deeper into the topics related to project management while also allowing for time to expand into other areas.
Project management degree students who are interested in managing IT projects might consider taking a minor concentration in IT so that they have a stronger sense of what their teams are working on. Those who aren't yet set on any specific sort of project can expand their knowledge with work in higher mathematics, statistics, accounting, computer science, or even economics. After all, a project manager needs a broad base of knowledge and the ability to adapt to new challenges with appropriate resources.
National Online Rankings - Top 25 Bachelors PM ProgramsOnline Masters (MS)
These days, nearly every professional needs to consider a master’s degree, especially those in the project management field. A master’s project management degree is still a great way to set one's resume apart from the pack and rise even higher in your career. In fact, an MBA may be the best route to go for those who are interested in the C-suites or looking to work in the consulting field. After all, companies who hire consultants like to know that they are hiring professionals with top credentials.
An MBA degree program is essentially divided into two parts. The first year is concentrated on general business topics, albeit at a graduate level. Then, the second year is where students can choose the concentration of their choice. This is where many choose a concentration in project management, though there are other options. A practicing project manager could opt for a concentration in the field in which they manage projects, such as IT or accounting. Each professional can make their own choices, naturally, and navigate the corporate waters using their best judgment.
National Online Rankings - Top 25 Masters PM ProgramsOnline Doctorate (PhD)
While the business community doesn't often seek out PhDs for their positions, that could be changing. High tech companies, for instance, may place a higher value on a doctorate, especially those that are advancing new research and cutting-edge technologies. For project managers, the usefulness of a PhD will likewise depend on the kinds of projects they are managing. For instance, an experienced project manager who is overseeing a top-level cyber security project may need a PhD to have a grasp of the project's scope and purpose, as well as the project schedule and cost management and data analysis principles. In this case, their PhD might be in computer science rather than project management, though they will certainly hold top project management certifications after completing certification exams.
Project managers may also decide to earn a PhD to work in academia after the successful completion of their lower-level degrees. This top academic degree is a virtual requirement for full-time, tenure track positions in post-secondary institutions. Project management faculty are generally tasked with teaching graduate and undergraduate students, but they might also work as research faculty or consultants. Many top academics lend their expertise to firms that need them on a part-time, though often well-paid, basis.
Learn more about business resources and scholarships Learn about your options to pay for collegeFind Your Online Project Management Program
Become a Project Manager Professional in Oklahoma
Project management is something of a niche career path. It evolved slowly over time, likely at least partially in response to the growth of consulting firms and the increasing demands of the contemporary business climate. Many may think that a degree in management will suffice for an aspiring project manager. However, project management is a profession that requires focus and finesse for one to achieve their maximum career success. For those who are interested in this career, there are specific ways to approach it.
The first step starts with an ability to delegate responsibilities, accurately assess needs, and a knack for sticking to a budget. This can start as early as high school when students first gain exposure to responsibility. For instance, students who can organize and execute a successful fundraiser for their favorite student organization are effectively acting as project management professionals.
High school students can also begin to build toward a project management career by studying hard in areas such as math. If their school offers courses in accounting, they will surely benefit from this core business skill. Their other courses will also benefit them, as every project manager needs strong communication skills and a broad base of knowledge that can inform their important decisions.
When it comes time to find a bachelor’s project management degree program, students should look for the best business school available to them. One of the first things to assess is whether the program supports degrees that lead to a career in project management. This may require a campus visit and certainly scrutiny of the program's curriculum. It's also good to evaluate other programs that may help students become more well-rounded and effective as project managers.
A key factor to evaluate is the school's accreditation. Every school should meet the minimum qualification of regional accreditation. Students should make sure that the school's regional accreditation is from a CHEA approved agency. On top of this, project management students may want to look for program specific accreditation. This means that the program has been scrutinized by an agency such as AACSB, ACBSP, or IACBE. Those agencies focus on the areas that make for the most successful business degree programs, including project management degree programs.
Upon graduation, project management students should seek out the best entry-level position possible. Once there, they need to start looking for industry certifications that will bolster their credentials while improving their work performance. Naturally, it's never too early to look for a master’s project management degree program, including MBA programs. After all, graduate degrees are the key to a C-suites position. However, you might first aim to earn certification as a Project Management Professional (PMP), a credential offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). This credential is focused on project management knowledge and can provide a project management professional with instant credibility.
Potential Careers for PM Graduates
- General and Operations Managers
These managers oversee many of their firm's moving parts. For instance, a restaurant's general manager oversees the kitchen operations, food ordering, and the waitstaff who serve customers. Essentially, general and operations managers make sure that their firm operates with smooth efficiency. - Project Management Specialists
Project management specialists differ from other managers in that their scope is limited to individual projects. They might even execute projects within a regular manager's department. These specialists assemble teams that are tailored to the project at hand and ensure that their team and the on-site management are in open communications. - Marketing Manager
These marketing professionals oversee their department's entire operations. They can work with the analytical professionals who crunch the numbers, as well as the creatives who create the fun advertisements we all enjoy. Marketing managers need extensive experience in either the creative or analytical side, as well as an MBA. - Sales Manager
These leadership professionals are experts at motivating their team to meet and exceed sales expectations. Sales managers typically focus on one specific industry that they understand from top to bottom. They usually have a successful track record in the sales field and move into management to earn a reliable paycheck and enjoy the role of mentor and leader. - Fundraising Manager
Where a for-profit enterprise generates its revenues from investments and sales, the non-profit sector chiefly relies on donations from the public. Thus, the non-profit sector needs fundraising managers who organize fundraisers, such as charity galas and bulk mailings.
- Art Director
This is a management position that focuses on the art created or utilized by their department. Art directors are key parts of a marketing department, and they help to coordinate the various creative professionals on their team to create advertisements for print, television, and the internet. Art directors typically need at least five years of experience and a proven track record. - Architectural and Engineering Manager
This management position oversees the architects and engineers who create much of our physical environment. They review personnel issues in their department or firm while also keeping the team within budgetary constraints. Many such managers were once practicing engineers or architects, but they might also be management specialists. - Financial Manager
Every company needs someone to manage its finances. Financial managers oversee how a company manages its investments, including those on Wall Street and investments in capital improvements to the organization. A background in accounting and finance is vital to landing a management position in finance and most organizations will prefer that every member of their financial management team has an MBA. - Supply Chain Manager
The COVID debacle changed a lot, and one thing it did was to bring to light the importance of supply chain management. Supply chain managers make sure that packages are shipped to and from points along the supply lines in an efficient manner. Some supply chain management positions look very much like computer science careers, but others are more akin to trucking dispatchers.
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