SPEAKER 1: To start, I've got a question for you.
How many open roles do you think are
out there for project managers?
Hint-- the answer is a very big number.
Project managers are in high demand.
In 2017, a study by the Project Management Institute
found that by the year 2027, employers
will need 87.7 million people filling project
management aligned roles.
According to that same study, the industries
with the most growth are manufacturing and construction,
information services and publishing, management
and professional services, finance and insurance
utilities, and oil and gas.
Project management plays a big part
in helping all of these industries grow.
In some industries, you'll find the term project
manager grouped with a more industry-specific qualifying
word.
For example, construction project manager or IT
project manager or engineering project manager.
Don't worry.
These are all still project manager roles.
They're just specific to an industry.
And it's important to keep in mind
that the skills you learn in one industry
can be applied to another industry.
New projects are popping up every single day.
Across all industries, we notice that new technology
is introduced, which leads to processes changing and a need
to manage those processes.
So all kinds of companies need people like you
who can tackle a variety of projects
from start to finish to help them navigate these changes.
By now, you might have noticed that you already
have some of those skills, like organizing or planning
an event, problem-solving or even managing a budget,
and you use them effectively in your everyday life.
Reflect on some of those skills we mentioned earlier
and ask yourself, what are some of the parts
of project management that you're drawn to?
While you may not have the answer just yet,
thinking about these things can help
you find suitable roles later.
As you keep going in this program,
try to keep track of the lessons and activities you prefer
and the ones you didn't like as much.
This will help you narrow your choices as you search
through job boards later.
The beauty of project management is
that you don't need to be an expert on a focused technical
topic.
You just need to be able to manage projects.
You could be a construction or technology project manager,
or you could enter the health care industry
and work in patient management.
You could also enter the energy sector
and act as an environmental project manager.
The possibilities are almost endless.
What's equally exciting is that you could even
end up with a completely different title altogether.
For instance, there are roles that
entail a sequence of ongoing projects
that are considered programs or operations in the industry.
In this case, the role may not be
described as a project manager, but instead something a little
more evergreen, like operations manager or program manager.
Other titles that might make sense for you
could include operations assistant, project assistant,
project coordinator, and program assistant.
When it comes to job duties, your responsibilities
might change depending on the type of company you choose.
For example, the workload and specific tasks
at a small agency will be different from those at Google.
It's also important to keep in mind
that as the world continues to change and evolve,
so do industries and the job opportunities
you'll find there.
So be sure to cast a wide net.
You'll be able to find more and more jobs you're qualified for.
In addition to being qualified for project
management-related jobs, there's plenty of other roles or paths
that may interest you.
Internships can sometimes be a good place to start.
An internship is a short-term way
to get hands on experience in an industry.
Plus internships are a great way to help boost your resume
and set yourself apart from other candidates.
One of the key benefits of internships
is that you get real work experience
while simultaneously networking with people in that industry.
It's a win-win.
Now, some internships in your field
might not technically be project manager roles,
but a lot of roles are easily transferable.
For example, something like an events manager intern role
can become a full time project manager position later on.
Internships aren't great for everyone's lifestyle,
but if you can make them work, they're a fantastic option.
Another path you can take is contract work.
Working for companies on a contract
means you'll work with them on a project by project basis,
but you won't be a full time employee.
This kind of work is a great way to get your foot in the door
and build your portfolio, plus it gives you the flexibility
to try your hand at a few different projects at once,
depending on the commitment level required for that.
Another benefit of contracting is
that it lets you explore different kinds of companies
and project types.
Since it's a temporary position, you
can explore what type of company is the best fit for you.
Maybe you find you like working with a large or a small team,
or you find you enjoy specific types of projects.
And if you find a situation that suits you and the organization,
your contract position might just
lead to a full time position.
As you keep charging forward, try
thinking about the type of job you
might be interested in going after.
When we're done here, every new topic you discover
brings you one step closer to your first role in project
management and one step closer to where you want to be.
SPEAKER 2: Congratulations on finishing this video
in the Google Project Management Certificate.
Access the full learning experience, including
job search help, and start to earn your official certificate
by clicking on the icon.
To view the next course in this video, click here.
And subscribe to our channel to learn more from Google Career
Certificates.