<p>Hey guys!</p>
<p>I'm currently a freshman at my university and I still haven't chosen a specific major to stick with. I really want to do something with business because I like management and working with numbers. Recently I've been researching different business careers and I came across project management which really caught my attention. I'm just not 100% certain if it's the right path for me.</p>
<p>So what's it like to be a project manager? If any of you are already project managers, what kind of degree do you have? In your opinion, what would be the best industry to be in (technology, construction, entertainment, etc.)? Any information would be really appreciated!</p>
<p>P.S.: I'm thinking about being an IT project manager. Would I have to get a degree in computer science or something similar to that? Thanks!</p>
<p>I can tell you about this. I have been a project manager for 23 of the 28 years I have been working. My background is an undergrad BBA (from a top school) with a few computer science courses added in. Eventually I got an MBA from a state university with a concentration in Management Information Systems. I currently have a PMP (project management professional) certification. You might look into a business degree with a CS minor as a good combo for this career.</p>
<p>I have worked on both IT and business process projects over the years, but have spent more time in IT. Projects are a great way to get a look at a lot of different areas of business and keep some variety in your work life. The other side of that is that you have to be comfortable with a lot of change, being on the learning curve a lot, working with teams that change all the time, and trying to “manage” things without truly being in charge of the resources working on your project. </p>
<p>I would say the following have helped me be a successful project manager:
- Having both a business and technical background has been a big help. After I got out of college I worked as a programmer for a few years before moving into project management. So I see things from both sides, which helps me a lot in my ‘sniff test’ of whether something is a good idea or not, and also in communicating with lots of different types and levels of people.
- I worked for one of the big management consulting firms for several years after I was a programmer for a few years at other companies. I saw several different clients and different ways to do things. Learned a ton from that experience.
- I have worked in many industries - financial services, health care, retail, and some one-off projects as well. I do not limit myself to just one industry, and will pursue project management work in almost any industry.
- A lot of companies have formed their own project management offices (PMOs) in recent years. This has reduced the amount of work for outside contract project managers (which is what I am now, an independent PM). They have also offshored a lot of IT work. So the PM often has to work crazy hours here to communicate with teams all over the world. Also, I have met clients who mostly seem to want to the PM to be a whipping person for work not getting done for offshore teams. Not all, but some…</p>
<p>All in all I think it is a pretty good job. You might have trouble getting an assignment or job as a PM right out of school. A couple of years as a developer or business analyst is a good stepping stone to a PM career.</p>
<p>My buddy is a business analyst, has some components of project management, or at least the growth potential to get there. Check out [Business</a> Analyst CV | So you wanna be a business analyst?](<a href=“http://www.businessanalystcv.com%5DBusiness”>http://www.businessanalystcv.com) for info.</p>
<p>We have our own pmo office at work, just like intparent mentioned. A also have business analysts. Check into that field too.</p>
<p>Cs isn’t a required major… I’d check into a mis major that has the courses you like.</p>
<p>I’m not a project manager but I do work as part of multiple project teams at work. I do think it’s rough not having control over the resources working on your project. Some of the best project managers that I’ve worked with have taken the time to really get to know the different areas and who does what… Really makes a difference.</p>