I want to learn about careers as a Project Manager

Find out everything you need to know about becoming a Project Manager.

Job Title - Project Manager

Description

A Project Manager is like a ‘team leader’. They work across ALL industries, such as construction, IT, design, business, etc. So depending on which industry you choose, you may need different qualifications and skills.

The main job of a Project Manager is to organise people to make sure different jobs/tasks are done according to plan to reach the final goal, efficiently, on time and within budget. They must also manage quality control.

Typical Job Activities

Identifies the ultimate goals of the project through close communication with the company or client
Agrees budgets and deadlines with the company or client
Breaks down the project into manageable stages
Organises and managing resources
Recruits employees to work in the core project team
Manages and resolving conflicts within the core team
Delegates tasks to each member of the project team
Ensures each stage of the project is fulfilled on time and to budget
Communicates the progress of the project to the company or client

Does this sound like a career for you? Browse jobs in the engineering and construction industry here.

Related Occupations

Business Analyst
Account Manager
Recruitment Consultant

Educational Requirements

You can study a relevant business qualification like:
Business Administration, Commerce, Management, HR or Engineering

Becoming a Project Manager takes time and energy and lots of skills. After qualifying, you will have to collect experience and skills for many years. You might even consider studying further, once you know exactly what you would require in a particular company to get promoted.

You can follow these paths:
PATH 1: Start out as a Project Administrator
PATH 2: Honours in Human Resource Management
PATH 3: Masters in Project Management
PATH 4: Advanced or Postgraduate Diploma in Project Management

Compulsory subjects: None
Recommended subjects: None

What natural skills and/or aptitudes do I need for this occupation?

Have excellent organisational skills
Have excellent time management abilities
Have the ability to plan ahead
Have the ability to anticipate and minimize risk
Have the ability to think creatively and solve problems when they arise
Have good communication skills (both written and verbal)
Have the ability to work to budget and monitor finances
Have excellent attention to detail
Have good management skills: the ability to lead others and to work well as a team player
Have a good knowledge of business
Have a high level of computer literacy
Have technical skills relevant to the nature of the industry

Improve your engineering and construction skills and knowledge by studying further – browse our online learning partners’ courses here…

Employment Opportunities

High

Market Competitiveness

High

Income Potential

Moderate

Self-Employment Options

High

International Employment Market

High

Possible Employers

Government - national, provincial, local councils and related organisations like universities
Big private companies
Self-employed: freelance

Working conditions

Working with uncooperative people
The pressure to keep within time and money constraints of contracts
Being let down by subcontractors

Browse companies hiring now.

Relevant Contact Details

College SA
www.collegesa.co.za

Project Management SA
www.projectmanagement.org.za

Cape Peninsula University of Technology
www.cput.ac.za

Career Progress and Path

Further Studies in the specific career field
Further studies in related fields
Experience in specific field
Work performance
Experience in related fields
Do presentations, seminars, publish articles, etc.
General management studies

Possible Career Paths

Specialist career in the specific field
Management positions in the specific field
Management positions in related fields
General business management
Own business

Employment Stability

Very stable

Reasons to consider this career

A job in government
A job in private companies
To start my own business
A stable job
To become a manager
To work with technology
To work with languages
To work with people
To make money
To face intellectual challenges
To work internationally
To apply my special skills
To work on my own
To work fixed hours