Explore a career in
Project Management
Learn to manage complex projects and drive key business results. Prepare for the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® Exam and become a competitive applicant for thousands of project management jobs.
projected jobs by 2030 will require project management skills according to the PMI.
project management positions were reported in the United States alone (PMI).
Learn more about Project Management
About Project Management
According to the Project Management Institute, project management is the application of specific knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to deliver something of value to people. Whether it’s developing software for an improved business process, constructing a building, coordinating relief efforts after a natural disaster, or expanding sales into a new geographic market, these are all examples of projects.
Project management skills are not limited to those titled “Project Manager”—they are valuable in many roles. These skills can help you get promoted, better manage your work, and excel in your current position.
What does a Project Manager do?
Think of project managers like orchestra conductors. It may look like they’re just waving their hands, but without these vital leaders at the helm, nothing runs smoothly. Project managers are responsible for designing project plans that their teams will follow to execute work. They keep the team on track and motivated. Project managers are mainly responsible for the success or failure of a project. Good project managers get the best out of their team members. While project success may be on the manager’s shoulders, they can’t accomplish their goals without the team.
Day-to-day tasks performed by Project Managers
While you have likely heard the phrase “project manager,” you may not be quite sure what the daily routine of these talented professionals looks like. Trust us — you are not alone. Below, we take a closer look at typical project management tasks and examples:
Organize Documents & Create Project Timelines
As you begin to plan a project, you’ll be gathering loads of project information such as: requirements, deliverables, and timeframes from stakeholders. To accomplish this you’ll schedule a meeting with stakeholders to collect information to create a project plan.
Develop Project Plans
Project plans might involve spreadsheets, building gantt charts, diagrams, or process maps to document needs. As a rookie project associate, you’ll assist your manager in developing the project plan for the team to execute.
Coordinate & Support Your Team
You maintain the Asana project platform for your team. It will require you to consistently check-in and see when support is needed or remind team members of outstanding tasks.
Communicate & Align Stakeholders
You’ll be responsible for communicating project plans, updates, and results to stakeholders to ensure alignment and proper execution of the project plan. An example of this is following up weekly with team members to make sure they are meeting key milestones.
Relevant skills you already have for a Project Management career
You can transition from many types of roles into project management. If you start as a project coordinator, you might be promoted to a project manager role. At Pathstream, we’ve seen new college graduates, Walmart associates, and stay-at-home parents transition to project management roles.
This job will be the right fit for you if you are:
- Goal-oriented
- Adaptable
- Organized
- A problem solver
- A strong communicator
Project Manager salary potential
According to Lightcast, the median salary for a project manager in 2024 is $95,368. However, this number is determined by various factors, such as role responsibilities, education and certifications, industry, and location.
Projected demand for Project Managers
Project managers work at the intersection of planning, communication, and management to make sure a team is moving towards the same goal. The need for project managers worldwide is growing rapidly, with the need for new project management employees required to meet global projected talent demands by 2030 hovering around 25 million, according to a 2020 report by the Project Management Institute.
Demand for project management professionals is projected to grow by 33% by 2026.
How to become a Project Manager?
You’ve done your research, and you’ve decided to become a Project Manager. It’s a smart choice—demand is booming, making it a top career option. But there’s one problem: you don’t have the technical skills, experience, or a college degree to land an entry-level project manager job.
Here’s the good news: becoming an entry-level project manager without prior experience or a college degree is possible with our support.
The Asana Project Management Certificate Program
This certificate will help you become a competitive applicant for the over 2.8 million jobs that have been posted in the last 12 months. This certificate is built for busy people who want to take the next step in their careers. The program is 100% online, and you will have access to experienced instructors ready to support your learning and provide you with personalized feedback. Moving at your own pace, you’ll work through projects that mirror the ones you’ll need to perform on the job.
Learning with support
You’ll have access to dedicated instructors who will support your learning journey and provide personalized feedback. Working at your own pace, you’ll tackle projects that mirror real-world tasks you’ll encounter on the job. Our career services include coaching, interview preparation, and job connections to help you secure a data analyst position and achieve your goals.
Master in-demand skills
For example, you’ll learn how to plan and execute projects on schedule on budget, and within scope. Asana is the leading tool to track, manage and connect projects used by companies around the world developed with Asana.
Step up to the role
Most importantly, when you finish this program, you’ll be ready to apply for roles at companies like Google Amazon, MasterCard, and United Healthcare. Or you’ll be ready to take on additional responsibilities that your current job or for your own business will offer career services like coaching, interview prep, and job connections to help you accomplish your goals. Pathstream supports you every step of the way.
