How to Become a Project Manager

Project management is a continually in-demand field that can lead to stable careers, reflecting the increasingly strategic value of carefully planning and seamlessly executing temporary (yet impactful) initiatives. This profession calls for a distinctly diverse skill set encompassing broad technical competencies and leadership abilities.

With basic soft skills like effective communication, collaboration, and problem solving plus a bit of motivation, it's possible to step into this field with confidence. However, most prospective project managers will need to commit to developing relevant skills to learn how to apply these far-reaching abilities in scenarios that reflect the real-world effort of executing projects.
 

What Does a Project Manager Do?

Project managers are responsible for planning projects and driving their progress. They ensure that their team members have the resources, guidance, and support needed to fulfill objectives and abide by strict standards. This means navigating a range of parameters related to budgeting, scheduling, and project scope. As described by Georgia Tech Professional Education Assistant Director of Business Operations – Military Programs Ken Harrison, PMP, ACP, “A project manager is ultimately responsible for a project's success, which means managing and leading internal and external stakeholders, getting buy-in from team members, and ensuring objectives are met on time and within budget.”

In addition to overseeing goal setting, planning, and resource management, project managers document progress through all phases. This ensures that projects continue to advance according to key objectives while addressing any obstacles that impede success. They work closely with stakeholders, too, identifying and analyzing their expectations as well as engaging with them every step of the way so they remain informed and assured of the project’s progress.
 

Steps to Becoming a Project Manager

There are various ways to get started in project management. For many, transitioning into project management is a natural progression after working in related roles (for example, working within project teams to support the coordination and execution of critical project tasks). To advance into this leadership position, you will need to demonstrate skill mastery, showing that you can effectively manage resources, communicate with stakeholders, and inspire progress.

The proper blend of education and experience can offer a boost up the project management career ladder. Planning your educational journey carefully can ensure that you develop the skills and gain the credentials that matter.
 

Earn Your Degree

Having a bachelor's degree is common for many project management roles, but there is flexibility regarding the type of education you pursue. Various degrees, such as business, engineering, or manufacturing, are often acceptable. Also, consider industry-specific skills or knowledge that might be required in your chosen sector or specialization. For instance, if you hope to work in information technology (IT), you may benefit from a tech-focused program that integrates management concepts.
 

Gain Work Experience

Gaining relevant work experience is one of the most important steps toward becoming a project manager. Many professionals start in entry-level or support roles — such as project coordinator, operations assistant, or business analyst — where they assist with scheduling, documentation, communication, and task tracking. These roles provide firsthand exposure to how projects are planned and executed, while also building familiarity with tools like project management software, Gantt charts, and Agile workflows.

As you build experience, look for opportunities to take on more responsibility, such as leading small initiatives or managing timelines and deliverables for a specific workstream. Demonstrating reliability, problem-solving skills, and strong communication in these early roles can help position you for advancement into a formal project management role. Even if your job title isn’t “project manager,” experience leading or coordinating projects (whether in tech, marketing, healthcare, or construction) can be a strong foundation for your next step. You will need to document this experience if you want to apply to Project Management Institute (PMI), so you can sit for the Project Management Professional (PMP) or Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP) exams.
 

Focus on a Specialization

As you gain experience, it can be beneficial to focus on a specific industry or project management methodology. Specializing allows you to deepen your expertise, become more competitive in your field, and better understand the challenges and goals unique to that sector. Common areas of specialization include IT and software development, healthcare, construction, finance, marketing, and environmental services. Each field has its own processes, terminology, and compliance standards, which project managers must navigate successfully.

Choosing a specialization often aligns with your educational background or early career experience. For example, someone with a degree in computer science might gravitate toward IT project management, while someone with a background in business or marketing may focus on campaign or product management. Specialization not only sharpens your skills but also helps you build a professional network and pursue certifications tailored to your chosen field. Review this decision tree to discover which Georgia Tech Project Management Certificate or AGILE Leadership Certificate is suggested for you based on your career experience and industry.
 

Build Your Management Skills

It is expected that project managers will possess a diverse range of management and leadership skills, from budgeting to delegation to conflict resolution. These competencies can be developed within various degree and certificate programs. Additionally, you can continue to develop management skills through internships or by seeking new responsibilities after making a strong impression within entry-level roles. Developing these skills takes time and often begins with managing smaller projects or individual workstreams, gradually expanding your scope as you gain confidence and experience.
 

Further Your Education

While a bachelor’s degree and work experience are often enough to begin a career in project management, continuing your education can help you stay competitive and deepen your expertise. Many professionals choose to pursue certifications or short-term training programs to strengthen their skills in areas like risk management, stakeholder communication, or various methodologies.

Earning a professional certificate, such as our Project Management Certificate, can also help fulfill educational requirements for credentials like the Project Management Institute’s PMP certification and signal a serious commitment to the field.
 

Take the First Step Toward a Project Management Career

With a firmer grasp of how to become a project manager, it may be time to embark on a career journey that positions you for success in a growing field. Look to Georgia Tech Professional Education for support. Our Project Management Certificate equips you with crucial project management skills while preparing you to satisfy the requirements to become a Project Management Professional. You are also welcome to take individual courses that align with your career goals — or even explore in-demand methodologies through our AGILE Leadership Certificate. Get started today: Learn more about our certificates or contact us with questions.