Project management can be an excellent career for those who enjoy being able to choose from a wide range of industries, work with many different people and make an important impact on companies. Project management career paths offer the opportunity to potentially pursue career advancement, improve one’s skills and do something a little different each day.^{(See disclaimer 1)}

If you aspire to work in management in an organization, you might start by earning a degree related to project management, such as a Bachelor of Science in Applied Management. At Grand Canyon University, this bachelor’s degree offers coursework in project management. Then, consider pursuing a job as a project management specialist and, later, earning a graduate degree with an emphasis in project management that can help prepare you to pursue certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI).®

It’s always a smart idea to consider the project management career outlook when weighing your career options. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the projected job growth rate for project management specialists is 6% from 2024 through 2034, faster than average.^{(See disclaimer 2)} This indicates employers may hire about 58,700 new project management specialists during this time period.^{(See disclaimer 2)}

After gaining some work experience, you may decide to earn a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in project management. A diverse range of options is available to graduates. For example, your project management career progression might take you from project management specialist to general and operations manager, administrative services manager or industrial production manager.^{(See disclaimer 3)}

When considering your options after earning your degree, you’ll want to compare and contrast the different project management job responsibilities. Ask yourself, Is project management a good career for you, and if so, which specific roles align with your interests and skill set?

Common related career paths include:

Project Management Specialist

A project management specialist leads and supervises company projects. They oversee all areas within a project, such as planning, scope definition, execution, management of workers and allocation of resources. Project management job responsibilities include ensuring that the work is done on time, within budget and to the required specifications.

Sales Manager

Sales managers are similar to project management specialists in that they are responsible for planning and directing the delivery of products or services. They also share similar job responsibilities, including budgeting and overseeing staff. Additionally, sales managers are often charged with analyzing sales data, developing sales projections, establishing sales campaigns and resolving customer complaints.

Human Resources Manager

A human resources manager leads the human resources department. They must plan and direct their organization’s administrative functions. Primarily, their activities center on recruiting, interviewing and hiring new staff in a way that aligns with the organization’s overall goals.

Human resources managers also plan and oversee onboarding and ongoing training programs for employees, as well as handle staffing issues and oversee the employee benefits programs.

Administrative Services Manager

Another career path related to project management that you might consider is that of the administrative services manager. These professionals are responsible for overseeing an organization’s office support services, including records and information management. Some of their responsibilities include the following:

• Supervising staff members
• Adjusting policies and procedures as needed
• Ordering and allocating supplies and inventory
• Planning for future office upgrades

General Operations Manager

A general manager directs staff and guides them to reach the goals of the company. Managers are motivators, delegators and mentors. They distribute work amongst the employees and train them on how to carry out each task.

The general operations manager may also be responsible for hiring personnel for various positions within the company and creating a cohesive team that works well and effectively together. They may handle purchasing, policy development, budgeting and cost reductions.

Executive Roles in Project Leadership

An executive, also known as an executive officer, holds a high position in a company, such as chief executive. Executives are responsible for establishing the company's short- and long-term goals and implementing the strategies and policies that will help achieve these objectives. Reaching an executive position typically requires many years of professional experience, as these roles demand extensive leadership capability. Executives strive to grow the company’s profits and streamline its operations.

Along with making high-level decisions, executives may negotiate contracts, appoint department heads, direct the organization’s financial activities and oversee general activities. They may analyze financial reports and sales reports, and look for ways of boosting performance while reducing cost inefficiencies.

An MBA with an Emphasis in Project Management may be an excellent choice for current or aspiring project management professionals. According to the Project Management Institute, the MBA may help you position yourself to potentially unlock upward career mobilization, preparing you to potentially pursue roles across upper management at your organization. Upward career movement can often be associated with higher salary expectations, as well, and some employees may be eligible to take advantage of employer tuition reimbursement for MBA programs.^{(See disclaimer 4)}

Earning an MBA can also help prepare you to tackle more complex project management responsibilities. PMI notes that many companies that frequently fail to complete projects have become more invested in educating their employees. Earning an MBA in particular can help prepare future managers and executives to tackle complex projects.^{(See disclaimer 4)}

It should be noted, of course, that there are other graduate degree options available for project management professionals interested in developing advanced skills and enhancing their career qualifications. Some professionals might choose to earn a Master of Science (MS) degree in project management, for example. Both the MBA and the MS are master’s degrees, so what’s the difference, and which one is best for you?

The master’s in project management (MS degree) will focus more closely on project management competencies. In contrast, the MBA with an Emphasis in Project Management at GCU not only explores project management competencies but also covers a broad array of general business knowledge and skills. These include leadership skills, strategic business decisions, economics concepts and organizational change.

The MBA may be the preferred choice for professionals seeking to diversify their academic background and prepare for a wide range of business responsibilities. It’s also a good choice for those interested in expanding their professional network, as networking is an integral component of earning an MBA.

Is project management a good career for you? After earning an MBA with an Emphasis in Project Management, you may be prepared to seek further career opportunities by achieving additional certification from PMI®. PMI® certification is a way to demonstrate your competence in leading teams and managing projects.

Obtaining this certification can offer the following benefits:^{(See disclaimer 5)}

• Professional credibility
• Ability to apply your skills to a range of industries and specializations
• Demonstration of your commitment to professional growth

Grand Canyon University’s Colangelo College of Business offers career-focused degrees to prepare students to tackle complex challenges in the business world. After earning a bachelor’s degree, consider enhancing your career qualifications with the Graduate Certificate of Completion in Project Management program or the Master of Business Administration with an Emphasis in Project Management degree.