Project Management Career Overview: Resources for Your PM Journey

Written by Coursera Staff • Updated on

Take a 360-degree look at project management with these tips, guides, and resources.

[Featured image] A project management career professional stands and works on a desktop computer.

Project management can be a rewarding career. According to Glassdoor, a project manager’s average pay (salary and other compensation, including cash bonuses, profit sharing, and commission) in the US is $93,033. With companies across industries hiring project managers—including construction, technology, and social media—you may find diverse opportunities available to you.    

As you research and consider this career path, it’s important to gain an understanding of what project management entails, including the skills you need to become a project manager, typical career paths and areas of specialization, tools project managers need to succeed, and how to get a job in project management. 

We’ve put together this project management career overview guide to make it easier to forge your path. Bookmark this page to refer to throughout your project management journey. 

Project management overview 

To gain a general understanding of project management, explore these resources: 

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professional certificate

Google Project Management:

Get on the fast track to a career in project management. In this certificate program, you’ll learn in-demand skills, and get AI training from Google experts. Learn at your own pace, no degree or experience required.

4.8

(113,955 ratings)

1,902,832 already enrolled

Beginner level

Average time: 6 month(s)

Learn at your own pace

Skills you'll build:

Project Management, Change Management, Strategic Thinking, Career Development, Organizational Culture, Risk Management, Quality Management, Project Execution, Agile Management, Problem Solving, Coaching, Scrum, Influencing, Effective Communication, Stakeholder Management, Business Writing, Project Charter, Procurement, Task Estimation, Project Planning

Essential project management skills and concepts 

A career in project management will call on you to use a variety of skills, understand key concepts, and be familiar with different project management methodologies. Explore the resources below to prepare for your next step:   

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specialization

Project Management: Tools, Approaches, Behavioural Skills

Learn how to successfully manage your projects. Master technical tools, managerial approaches and behavioral tips to manage projects

4.9

(206 ratings)

5,541 already enrolled

Beginner level

Average time: 1 month(s)

Learn at your own pace

Skills you'll build:

Scope (Project Management), Risk Management, controlling, Conflict Management, Planning, Project Management, Project Team, Project Management Triangle, Schedule (Project Management), Project Planning, Project Risk Management, Earned Value Management (EVMT), Cost Control

Project management certifications

For most project management positions a professional certification is required. The resources in this section cover different certifications for project managers:  

Career planning

Setting clear goals for your career can make it easier to land a job you love and live the life you want. Use these resources to plan your career: 

Project manager job search resources

Glassdoor has over 59,000 US project manager job listings, as of August 2022. As you begin your job search, use these tools to prepare for job applications, interviews, and more: 

Explore project management with Coursera

Taking online courses can be a great way to build skills and explore project management career options. Check out these options: 

Placeholder

professional certificate

Google Project Management:

Get on the fast track to a career in project management. In this certificate program, you’ll learn in-demand skills, and get AI training from Google experts. Learn at your own pace, no degree or experience required.

4.8

(113,955 ratings)

1,902,832 already enrolled

Beginner level

Average time: 6 month(s)

Learn at your own pace

Skills you'll build:

Project Management, Change Management, Strategic Thinking, Career Development, Organizational Culture, Risk Management, Quality Management, Project Execution, Agile Management, Problem Solving, Coaching, Scrum, Influencing, Effective Communication, Stakeholder Management, Business Writing, Project Charter, Procurement, Task Estimation, Project Planning

Placeholder

specialization

Business Value and Project Management

Coursework to build great organizational leaders.. Learners will be able to form a more wholistic perspective on business fundamentals and better manage organizational development, change, and projects.

4.8

(174 ratings)

7,104 already enrolled

Beginner level

Average time: 2 month(s)

Learn at your own pace

Skills you'll build:

Financial Accounting, Project Management, Strategic Management, Project Execution, Organizational Structure, Organizational Change, Decision-Making, Strategic Leadership, Organizational Culture, Ethics, Accounting, Accrual, Financial Statement, Cash Flow, Cash Flow Statement, Waterfall Methodology, Agile Project Management, Project Planning, Performance Evaluation, Scope (Project Management), Risk Management, Resource Management, Project Initiation Skills, Stakeholder Management, Project Management Fundamentals, Budgeting and Cost Management, Scope Management, Organization Design, Organizational Theories

Placeholder

specialization

Project Management Principles and Practices

Project Management Principles and Practices. Work Better, Together

4.7

(19,521 ratings)

227,487 already enrolled

Beginner level

Average time: 1 month(s)

Learn at your own pace

Skills you'll build:

Schedule, Project Management, Risk Management, Budget, Budget Estimation, Change Control, Change Management, Project, Planning, Project Planning

Updated on
Written by:
Coursera Staff

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Coursera’s editorial team is comprised of highly experienced professional editors, writers, and fact...

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