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