Transfer your skills to a career in project management
Have you ever planned a wedding? Perhaps you’ve organised a birthday party, or a family holiday jam packed with activities. Believe it or not, these are excellent examples of project management - overseeing and managing a project from start to finish.
Project management is the unique profession that is a mixture of exciting, challenging, rewarding and highly flexible. So, it’s no surprise that it’s the ideal career for mothers returning to work after having a baby and women looking for a change in career.
In fact, the transferable skills you acquire as a parent are the ideal match for the project profession, whether you are organising a play date, planning the weekly calendar of family vs professional activities, attending the school pickup, or making new connections at the school gates.
How do I know I'm the right fit for project management?
Project management is not just about being organised. The personality traits of a senior project manager are similar to those of a successful entrepreneur: they take responsibility, they lead, and they drive a team to achieve success.
All you need are the following skills:
✓ Having the ability to lead
✓ Being good at planning, monitoring, and reviewing
✓ Having a natural ability to encourage others
✓ Working well under pressure
✓ Being good at making decisions
✓ Being a good problem solver
✓ Being able to manage budgets
Listen to the BBC’s Rachel Baldwin talk about her journey into project management.
In this latest podcast, Rachel discusses how she made the career switch from documentary film maker to a seasoned project professional, what inspired her to make the change, and what lessons she learnt along the way.
Benefits to a career in project management
It's flexible |
|
 |
Balance a rewarding career with your lifestyle and family commitments, choosing from permanent, part time, or even contract roles. |
It's secure |
|
 |
Project professionals are in demand right now. A career in project management offers numerous job opportunities, and a clear and stable career path. |
You don't need prior experience |
|
 |
You don’t need a degree or prior project management experience to get your foot in the door. |
It pays |
|
 |
The average salary of a project professional is £47,500. |
It makes a difference |
|
 |
As a Project manager, you will have the chance to make a significant impact on organisations and society. |
Your hard work pays off |
|
 |
You will be recognised for your hard work. There is so much room to progress and upskill, particularly as a member of APM. |
Get started in just 8 steps
If you’re thinking about changing careers or returning to work, we’ll help you take right steps for your project management career journey.
With our 8-step career guide, you can learn how to get stuck into the project profession, so you can be sure you have the right project management skills and knowledge to find the most suitable role for you.
