So, you are thinking about a career as a certified project manager (CPM)?

Well, that’s awesome!

The question is, do you have what it takes?

Keep reading to find out more…

First of all, you are in good company. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the workforce is currently made up of 290,000 CPMs in the United States.

So, is there any room left for you?

Great question!

And the answer is yes, absolutely! Employment for all project managers is expected to grow by 47 percent through 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is much faster than the average for all U.S. occupations, which is projected to grow at 14 percent.

Who is becoming a CPM?

Men make up roughly 59 percent of the workforce and women 41 percent.

What personal qualities and characteristics make an excellent certified project nanager?

According to pmi.org, you will need to have several key qualities to be able to deal with different scenarios that you are likely to encounter at your job.

A project manager must have strong practical experience in project management, which is gained by managing large and complex projects.

Some of the qualities, he or she is expected to pick up are:

  1. Good knowledge and handling of project and program management methodology and techniques
  2. Good understanding of the broader objectives of a program (The Big Picture)
  3. Ability to work positively with a wide range of individuals involved in program management
  4. Strong leadership and management skills
  5. Good knowledge of budgeting and resource allocation procedures
  6. Ability to find innovative ways to resolve problems

The bottom line: If becoming a Certified Project Manager is something you find yourself getting passionate about, the one piece of advice we will give you is: Go for it!