You walk into a startup office where the marketing team is launching a campaign next Tuesday, the developers are three weeks behind on the app update and the sales team just promised a major client features that do not yet exist. The hero who steps in and transforms this chaos into on-strategy, on-time and on-budget results is a project manager.
If you dream of leading teams, creating budgets, establishing timelines and taking ownership of meaningful outcomes, project management could be your ideal career path. The online Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a Concentration in Management program from Arkansas State University (A-State) provides the foundation to help you excel in this field.
The Engine That Powers Every Major Business Achievement
Project management is the discipline of organizing people and processes to achieve project objectives. Projects are divided into manageable tasks and placed in five work phases:
- Initiation: Defining goals and feasibility
- Planning: Creating detailed roadmaps and budgets
- Execution: Performing the work
- Monitoring and control: Tracking progress and quality
- Closing: Finalizing deliverables and evaluating results
Without this structure, projects can quickly fall apart. Even promising initiatives can spiral into costly disasters without proper management. This is why effective project management requires training to ensure efficient use of resources, which stakeholders demand.
What Project Managers Actually Do Every Day
A project manager is responsible for planning and managing execution from start to finish and is ultimately responsible for a project’s success or failure. This responsibility requires mastering six critical aspects: scope, schedule, finance, risk, quality and resources.
On any given day, you might find yourself juggling multiple responsibilities that span every aspect of project delivery:
- Budget management and cost control
- Resource allocation and team coordination
- Quality assurance and deliverable review
- Risk assessment and mitigation planning
- Timeline development and deadline management
Project management skills are transferable from one field to another because the tools and techniques are universal. A good project manager can add value in any industry, including healthcare, technology, construction or finance.
Is Project Management a Good Career? The Numbers Speak Loudly
Smart professionals are choosing project management because it offers high demand, excellent compensation and genuine career security. The financial rewards are substantial, and certification can significantly boost earning potential. Those with PMP certification earn 33% more than those without, per Forbes.
Project management career outlook:
- Average base salary: $94,206 annually
- PMP certified professionals earn over $122,000 annually
- Fast-growing employment with about 2 million related job openings projected annually
The career advancement opportunities are extensive. You can specialize in specific industries, pursue senior management roles or transition into program management where you oversee multiple related projects. The field rewards both technical expertise and leadership capabilities.
How to Become a Project Manager and Build the Skills That Matter
Most project managers hold a bachelor’s degree in business administration or management, and you can leverage your existing background while building project management experience. A marketing manager transitioning into project management can draw on campaign experience, while an engineer can leverage technical coordination experience.
You can strengthen your credentials through hands-on practice. Consider volunteering to lead initiatives within your organization, taking on cross-functional projects requiring department coordination or shadowing experienced project managers. Practice strengthening organizational abilities by setting deadlines for yourself and creating budgets for personal projects.
While self-directed learning provides valuable experience, formal education dramatically accelerates your development and provides the comprehensive business foundation that separates project coordinators from project leaders.
Professional project management requires mastering complex methodologies, advanced risk assessment techniques and strategic business thinking that goes far beyond basic coordination skills. This is where  specialized MBA education becomes essential for serious career advancement.
Your Strategic Advantage Starts With the Right Foundation
The MBA in Management Online provides the business education and leadership development you need to excel as a project manager. This AACSB-accredited program includes specialized courses such as Fundamentals of Project Management, giving you hands-on experience with project planning, execution and control. The flexible, 100% online format allows you to advance your education while gaining the professional experience that makes you a stronger project management candidate. You can tailor the degree through three specialized electives, ensuring your education aligns perfectly with your career aspirations.
As a graduate, you will be prepared for advancement into high-level roles such as project manager or business unit director. More importantly, you will gain the strategic thinking abilities and leadership presence that command respect in boardrooms and enable you to drive meaningful change within organizations. You will also be ready to pursue the certifications that place you among the highest-earning professionals in the field.
Learn more about Arkansas State University‘s online MBA in Management program.