How to Become a Project Manager

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Becoming a project manager is a critical role in any business. A project manager oversees projects and ensures they run smoothly, which leads to the ultimate success of the company. To become a project manager, you will need a bachelor's degree and a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

What is a Project Manager?

Specific roles can vary in each job as a project manager. However, the main tasks of a project manager are overseeing production, innovations and projects. A project manager is responsible for the success or failure of a project. While a project manager may not work hands-on the entire time on a project, they guide team members and make sure the project runs smoothly.

How to Become a Project Manager

If you are drawn to be a leader, being a project manager is an ideal career choice. Your ability to motivate others and excellent communication skills are beneficial qualities to have as a project manager.

To become a project manager, a minimum of a bachelor's degree in a specific area such as business management is needed. However, earning a bachelor's degree in either marketing, computer science or a related degree in a targeted industry will be enough to get your foot in the door of this type of career. Additionally, you can obtain your PMP through an association to receive credits, but you will need to pass a written exam and education requirements.

What is the Eligibility for PMP Certification?

To be eligible for PMP certification, you will need at least a four-year degree with project management experience, 35 hours of project management education and a minimum of 4,500 hours of leading and directing projects.

If you have a secondary diploma, which is a high school diploma, associate degree or equivalent instead of a degree, you will need five years of experience with project management, 25 hours of education relating to project management and at least 7,500 hours of leading and directing projects.

It's best if your project management education includes monitoring and controlling, initiating, executing, planning and closing. When you apply, be completely honest as there are random audit checks and falsifying any information could result in banishment of PMP certification indefinitely. You will not know when you are being audited until your application is accepted and you make a payment.

There are fees associated with the application that you should know upfront. The PMP exam fee is $405 and to retake the exam, it is $275 as of 2018.


About the Author

With a background in business, Heather Burdo has a passion for creating content to help individuals with career tips to get the most out of their career journey.