Learn project management

What you'll learn in project management programs

In a project management program, you can learn strategies for guiding employees toward completing a project within the allotted time, resources, and budget. These courses explore various project management methods and the skills you need to implement them.

Agile project management

Agile project management is a system that can help managers achieve organizational goals through incremental progress, focusing on quality and customer satisfaction. Unlike traditional project management strategies, Agile prioritizes adaptability and innovation through collaboration and responsiveness to change.

Projects are not completed in a vacuum — internal and external circumstances constantly evolve. To maintain progress and remain competitive, project managers must be ready to adapt. Agile techniques allow teams to stay flexible and find new, effective ways to meet goals.

By employing Agile project management strategies, managers can:

• Prioritize innovation
• Engage stakeholders
• Improve organizational decision-making skills
• Boost morale through periods of change
• Increase acceptance of change

How to get started in project management

1. Earn a degree and real-world experience

For many project managers, the first step toward building a career in project management is earning a bachelor's degree and gaining professional skills. Because project management isn't an entry-level role, professional skills like organization, communication, and leadership must come from general work experience.

People frequently gain experience in a particular industry before pursuing project management roles. For example, people with years of experience completing large-scale coding projects may eventually become project managers in the computer science field.

2. Find an apprenticeship

Learning project management takes experience. Many project management professionals work as apprentices at the beginning of their project management careers. Controlled failure under a mentor can help apprentice project managers embrace new techniques without disrupting the project's outcome.

"Mentorship in this field isn't optional, it is accelerant," says Jamilyn Trainor, founder and senior project manager at Müller Expo Services International. "Project managers grow by hearing why decisions were made, not just what was done. A good mentor will shave years of your learning curve away."

3. Sharpen soft skills

No matter the industry, project managers work with people first and foremost. To maintain progress, they must keep their teammates engaged, motivated, and enthusiastic about completing projects.

Work to heighten executive leadership skills like communication, conflict management, and problem-solving. These skills can help you strengthen relationships and create a psychologically safe environment that encourages innovation, creativity, and teamwork.

4. Network with project professionals

Gain insights by speaking with project management professionals. Speak with people from diverse industries for unique perspectives that can help you navigate any situation.

You can network by participating in project planning groups, online communities, and events like conventions and conferences. Demonstrating a willingness to learn new project management strategies may even help you earn referrals from peers.

5. Refine your résumé

Project management is a rigorous field with defined targets. Your résumé should include specific examples citing when organizations benefited from your project management. Consider including these three crucial performance indicators:

1. Time: This shows that you delivered your projects within the given timeline, minimizing potential labor costs.
2. Cost: This shows you completed the project within the proposed budget, earning the organization more revenue.
3. Quality: This shows that your management was effective.

How long does it take to learn project management

It can take several years to become a project manager. Many people become project managers after building skills as part of a specialized team, while others earn the title through supporting project management roles or apprenticeships. Some supporting project management roles include business analyst, subject expert, and project coordinator.

Many factors can affect how long it takes to become a project manager, such as:

• Work experience
• Industry and subject
• Technical skills

Careers in project management

The skills you'll learn in project management apply to just about every field. Skills like time management, budgeting, logistics, scheduling, and organization are highly transferable. Many project managers become familiar with project management tools and software such as Asana, Jira, and Monday.

That said, some of the more applicable positions you may be qualified for include project manager, event manager, marketing manager, project management specialist, and healthcare project manager.

Project managers can work in a variety of environments, including an office setting, on a job site, or traveling if the project requires it.

Industries where project management skills may be most useful include marketing, construction, engineering, finance, and healthcare.

Here are a few specific jobs you may be interested in that utilize project management skills, with their required levels of education and salary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):

Project management specialist

Project management specialists coordinate all aspects of a successful project. This typically includes budgets, staffing, logistics, timelines, and environmental considerations. To become a project manager, you will need a bachelor's degree in a related field.

• Required education: Bachelor's degree
• Median annual salary (2024): $100,750

Event planner

Event planners help plan and execute events for individuals, businesses, and organizations. Using project management skills, they typically synchronize deliveries, coordinate people on the day of the event, manage budgets, and communicate with clients.

• Required education: None or bachelor's degree
• Median annual salary (2024): $59,440

Marketing manager

Marketing managers help lead initiatives that generate interest in a business's products or services. Typically, these initiatives are treated as projects, and the marketing manager helps to oversee all aspects, such as messaging, budget, rollout schedule, metrics, and feedback.

• Required education: Bachelor's degree
• Median annual salary (2024): $161,030

Your next steps on edX

Start building the skills you need to transform your career. Learn about project management with edX's online course programs today:

1. Earn a project management certificate from leading industry professionals on edX: IBM Project Manager Professional Certificate
2. Find a degree program that offers relevant skills for project management on edX: University of London's online BSc Business and Management
3. Become an expert project manager and become an industry leader with Executive Education programs on edX: University of Cape Town: Advanced Project Management

Last updated July 8, 2025