The basics
What's it like to be a project manager?
Overview
For students who take charge in a group project or like to complete the goals they set for themselves, project management might be the perfect career path! This career is found in virtually every organization to achieve company goals or realize ideas. Project managers take the big idea from their boss or their company’s consumers, and develop it into a project plan. They organize the tasks and people needed to make it happen, and then lead the team to execute the project. Along with acting as the leader, project managers are also in charge of the costs and work with the finance department to build a project budget that is as efficient as possible. This career can be stressful at times with many different projects occurring simultaneously, but when the projects are completed and the vision is executed to how they imagined, the reward is enormous.
Requirements
In order to become a project manager, the minimum is an associate degree, a 2 year degree. Many companies prefer a bachelor’s degree or higher to specialize in their specific industry. However, project management isn’t a field that requires great amounts of education and certification, but rather relies on communication and visionary skills to be able to expand on an idea. Project managers must have leadership skills, be able to visualize the finished project, money management skills, and strong writing skills to precisely document the project process.
What Can High School Students Do?
- Try to take charge in a group project
- Develop personal goals and map out how to accomplish them
- Hone your math skills, writing skills, and learn about finance
- Start a club, organization, or initiative to take on more leadership roles
- Join your school’s ASB, student council, or become a student representative
- Take an online project management course. Check this out!
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