Whether you’ve been in project management for a while, or you’ve just finished one of the many PM courses out there and are diving headfirst into your first role, there will be days where you may struggle. While project management can have its benefits, sometimes the daily grind of stakeholder management, budgets and deadlines can affect your enthusiasm. Remembering why you got into project management in the first place, by keeping in mind some of the joys of working in project management can keep you going through the harder days.
Project management allows you to embrace your natural skills
While APM project management will give you some of the techniques you need to successfully manage a project, it is your inherent soft skills, including your ability to organise yourself, communicate with others and work under your own steam that will really see you succeed. Project management work gives you the opportunity to use what you already have inside you to shine. This can be incredibly empowering.
It’s full of variety
Variety is the spice of life as they say, and every day in project management will bring new challenges. If something is causing you stress, then at least you will know it is not likely to go on forever. Being able to focus on different tasks throughout the course of your working day will also help you not to get bogged down in problems,
You’ll connect with different people
The people in project management are some of the most important aspects of the job. They are also one part of the job that will give you the most joy. If you’ve got a great relationship with one particular stakeholder, or your project team has done something really impressive, collaboration can be a real joy in project management.
You’ll get to grips with innovative technology
Every day, more innovations are developed to help you make managing projects easier. By learning about these new technologies, and seeing where you can implement themselves into your project management arsenal, you’ll have confidence in your knowledge and skills that will take you through even the most pressing problems.
You’ll be valued
Project managers are in high demand, and no matter whether you want to stay with the organisation you’re working with, go freelance or make a move internationally, there sure to be a role out there for you.
Your skills are transferable
Project management gives you a range of transferable skills that can see you into almost any role you can think of. If you would like to specialise in a certain industry, or would like to take your career in another direction, you’ll have a good base of skills to take with you.
You’ll be paid well
The salary project managers can command can be significantly greater than a range of other office based jobs. As mentioned, project managers are in high demand so you may be able to command a higher salary than you were expecting.
Well there will be problems during your project management career, being able to look on the bright side and enjoy the small joys within your daily work as well as the big joy that comes with finishing a project is certain to tip the balance into what can be a very positive career working in project management.
