How to Become a Project Manager Without a Degree(7 steps) -

How to Become a Project Manager Without a Degree: Around the world, more than half of project management jobs (57.41%) don’t need a college degree. But it’s important to know that this can vary from country to country.

Here’s a strong suggestion: consider making it a long-term goal to get certified by the Project Management Institute (PMI) with CAPM and PMP certifications.

Even if you don’t have a college degree, you can still build an impressive resume for a project management job. How? By taking charge of volunteer and freelance projects and getting the necessary certifications. This way, you can show your skills and expertise in managing projects without needing a college degree.

No matter what job you have now, choosing a career in project management is a smart move. Project managers not only get some of the highest pay in the US right now but the number of project manager jobs is expected to grow fast.

By 2027, it’s predicted there will be 88 million project manager jobs, and the industry is set to increase by a huge 33% in just ten years. Because there aren’t enough qualified project managers right now, the pay for project managers will likely go up a lot shortly. It’s a good time to consider a career in project management.

The pay for project managers has already gone really high! In the United States, the Project Management Institute (PMI) says the average pay for project managers is $115,000, and in Australia, it’s $113,664. [How to Become a Project Manager Without a Degree]

With all the great things mentioned earlier, now is definitely a fantastic time to become a project manager. But what if you don’t want to spend years getting a four-year degree?

Good news! You can start your career in project management without spending years in college. Many successful project managers never went to college, and I’ll show you the same way to do it.

Also read: How to Become an Ethical Hacker Without a Degree(10 skills needed)

Sure, let’s talk about what project managers do and what skills they need:

What is the Role of Project Manager?
Is a degree necessary to pursue a career as a project manager?
What skills does a project manager need?
Steps to becoming a project manager without a degree
What do I need to become a project manager?

What is the Role of Project Manager?

It totally makes sense that project managers are super important because, guess what, project management is a big deal.

We really believe that a good project manager has a lot of power. Now, there are different types of project managers.

Some are the regular ones with a fancy title like “project manager.” They might have special training like PMP or a PRINCE2 qualification.

Then, there’s another group called “non-project managers.” These are people who didn’t start with a fancy title but ended up doing a project manager’s job. They take charge and handle projects as part of their work. [How to Become a Project Manager Without a Degree]

No matter what kind of work they do, all project managers need to have some basic skills and do certain things.

Generally, the responsibilities of a project manager include

Setting goals and deadlines.
Managing resources for the project.
Overlooking project quality control.
Creating a project plan.
Organizing and assigning tasks.
Monitoring progress and budget.
Communicating with stakeholders.
Coordinating with different teams and departments.
Solving various problems that come up during project execution

In any project you’re a part of, there will always be someone playing the role of a “project manager.” Even if they don’t have the official title, they’re doing the important job of keeping things on track. So, even if you’re not officially a project manager at the start of your career, you can still learn a lot and get valuable experience by taking on those responsibilities. It’s like getting a sneak peek into the world of project management.

Is a degree necessary to pursue a career as a project manager?

You don’t need a college degree to work as a project manager. Whether you’re taking the PMP or CAPM certification tests, having a degree is not a must. And guess what? Most project management jobs around the world don’t ask for a degree. So, you can dive into the exciting world of project management without worrying about having a college degree. [How to Become a Project Manager Without a Degree]

Here is a chart that outlines the distinctions among different countries.

The job outlook for project managers without a degree. Data: LinkedIn Job Search (2022).

And, here are the exact figures in written form:

Out of the 248,070 project management positions available worldwide, 142,426 are for non-degree holders. Therefore, a degree is not required for 57.41% of project management employment worldwide.

Out of 148,355 jobs, 73,095 are available for project managers without a degree in the United States. Therefore, a degree is not required for 49.27% of project manager positions in the United States.

Out of 20,819 jobs in the UK, 16,400 are available for project managers without a degree. Therefore, a degree is not required for 78.77% of project manager positions in the United Kingdom.

In the European Union, out of 30,036 project management jobs, 20,989 don’t need a degree. So, for almost 70% of these jobs, you can work as a project manager without a degree.

In Australia, out of 4,243 project management jobs, 3,135 don’t require a degree. That’s around 74% of these jobs where a degree is not necessary.

Moving to Canada, out of 9,360 project management positions, 5,552 don’t ask for a degree. So, for about 59% of these jobs, you don’t need a degree.

Now, in India, out of 8,230 project management jobs, 5,639 don’t require a degree. That’s approximately 68% of these jobs where having a degree is not a must. [How to Become a Project Manager Without a Degree]

So, in these places, you have a good chance of becoming a project manager without needing a college degree.

The information tells us that the importance of having a degree changes a lot from one country to another. In some places, like the US and Canada, many companies still prefer people with a degree. But in other countries, such as the UK and Australia, most project manager jobs don’t ask for a degree.

So, if you’re thinking about working in Australia or the United Kingdom, it might be a good idea. They pay salaries almost like in the US, and you don’t really need a degree for many project manager jobs there.

here’s some good news for project managers in the US who don’t have a degree. More than half of the project management jobs are still available for you, even without a degree. Sure, there might be a bit fewer options, but you can still find a job without going to college.

In many cases, whether you need a degree or not depends on the type of job and the industry. For example, if you want to be a project manager in construction, they might want you to have a degree in civil engineering because you need to understand construction really well. But for jobs like marketing project managers, having a degree is not as common. [How to Become a Project Manager Without a Degree]

So, to sum it up, the data clearly shows that there are plenty of job opportunities for project managers even if you don’t have a degree. You can still find good positions without going to college.

What skills does a project manager need?

Being a good project manager means you need to be really good at the kind of project you’re handling. Now, let’s forget about the specific skills for a moment and talk about the general talents that all project managers should have.

Leadership
Good Communication
Organizational
Time management
Problem-solving
Creativity.

Leadership

Being a project manager means you have to lead and inspire a team to achieve a common goal. It’s not easy – you’ll need really good people skills. You have to manage a group of individuals with different personalities, backgrounds, and ways of working.

Good Communication

Being a project manager means you have to be great at talking to people. You need excellent communication skills to share information with different team members, stakeholders, and clients. Good communication is super important to make sure everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goal.

Organizational

Being a project manager means you have to be super organized. You need to keep track of all the different tasks that need to be done for a project. If you’re not naturally organized, no worries! Just try a bit harder to be more organized in your work life. [How to Become a Project Manager Without a Degree]

Time management

Being a project manager means you have to be good at managing your time and your team members’ time. It’s important to avoid delays and make sure you meet deadlines.

Problem-solving

Being a great project manager involves handling resources and people, and sometimes things might not go as planned. In those moments, you need to be like a crisis manager – someone who can handle unexpected situations and find solutions that still work.

Creativity

Everything we talked about before is connected to this. A good project manager is always ready to use their imagination when needed. Big projects are not always straightforward because there are so many things to consider. To get the best results, you have to know when to be creative and think outside the box, and when to follow the rules.

These are just a few of the basic skills a project manager needs. If you know the industry where you want to work as a project manager, it’s a good idea to learn more about the specific knowledge and skills needed for that field. Even if being a project manager feels far away right now, it’s totally possible with some learning and effort. [How to Become a Project Manager Without a Degree]

Also read: How to Become a Network Administrator without a degree(Skills needed)

What do I need to become a project manager?

You usually need a bachelor’s degree in management or a related field, along with at least three years of experience in a leadership role, to become a project manager. However, some entry-level positions may not require formal project management education. Getting a Project Management Professional (PMP)® certificate can be beneficial for your career.

Steps- How to become a project manager without a degree

Here are the steps to becoming a project manager:

Choose a project management career path.
Recognize your areas of improvement and begin working on them.
Take advantage of self-guided learning.
Begin to gather hands-on experience in managing projects.
Obtain CAPM and PMP certification.
Learn how to use project management software and apps.
Apply for project manager positions that don’t require a degree

1. Choose a project management career path.

To make it easy for you, here is the list of some common career paths for project managers:

Construction project manager.
IT project manager.
Healthcare project manager.
Marketing project manager.
Digital project manager.
Creative project manager.

Different project management careers come with varying job duties, and some may rely more on degrees than others. For example, in the United States, about 46.35% of construction project manager jobs don’t need a degree. On the other hand, a larger number, around 59.78%, of digital project manager jobs don’t require a degree.

Choose a path that suits you, and let it be the starting point for your project management journey.

2. Recognize your areas of improvement and begin working on them.

I’ve talked about some important skills for any project manager. While certain skills are specific to the industry, others are crucial no matter the project management path you take.

There’s always room to get better, no matter your career choice. If you notice areas where you can improve, you can become a fantastic project manager in no time.

For example, let’s say you’re really good at your job but haven’t led a team before. In that case, you might consider taking online leadership classes, reading about leadership, or even watching free YouTube videos.

It’s essential to learn about all the skills that matter for project managers, like communication, team organization, and time management. Most projects you handle in your career will need a mix of both technical and people skills, so it’s good to be ready for anything. [How to Become a Project Manager Without a Degree]

Even if you don’t need these skills right now, it’s still a good idea to understand them. Always keep in mind that becoming a project manager is your ultimate goal, even if you’re starting in a basic position

Also read: How to become a substitute teacher without a degree (4 Steps)

3. Take advantage of self-guided learning.

Even though I don’t believe in formal degrees, I still want to highlight the importance of getting a great education in project management. To be a respected project management professional, education is a must, and working in the field means you need to be ready to keep learning throughout your career.

In project management, continuous learning is crucial. The Project Management Institute requires you to earn Professional Development Units (PDUs) regularly, regardless of the certification you’re pursuing. So, education remains an essential part of staying on top of your game in the world of project management.

I believe the best way to earn PDUs is by using online learning and self-guided study. There are many online courses available to gain PDUs and improve your project management skills simultaneously. These courses cover everything from the basics of project management to more advanced topics like stakeholder communication and risk management. [How to Become a Project Manager Without a Degree]

Some of the best online project management courses that provide Professional Development Units (PDUs) include:

While not all courses are free, they’re usually quite affordable. If you can’t find an affordable course, there are plenty of free online resources available. However, when using free resources like YouTube videos, ensure they are of high quality and come from a trustworthy source.

One thing to keep in mind is that learning project management through free resources, like YouTube, doesn’t count for PDUs. So, if you’re looking to earn PDUs, it’s usually better to invest in a reputable course.

4. Begin to gather hands-on experience in managing projects.

If your current job doesn’t involve project management, try taking on more responsibilities within your team. This could range from supervising a small project to guiding new team members.

Volunteer to assist with tasks outside your usual job duties. For instance, if you work in an office, see if you can help plan office events by asking your manager. If you’re a coder, offer to assist a group of inexperienced developers with a particularly challenging project.

There will definitely be opportunities for you to take the lead at work and stretch beyond your comfort zone in any field. Your supervisors will appreciate and respect you for doing this. Moreover, you will demonstrate that you can handle more responsibilities than what your current position entails. [How to Become a Project Manager Without a Degree]

By taking on more responsibilities, you will start building the actual skills needed to work as a project manager. Initially, handling more responsibilities may seem like a lot, especially since you might not receive extra pay, but in the long run, it will be highly rewarding.

Look for opportunities to lead projects outside of your regular work duties. This could involve managing a team of volunteers in your community or organizing a fundraising event. Engage in charity work, take on freelance projects, and embrace any other small initiatives that come your way. Check out this helpful post from GVI for advice on using volunteer work to gain real-world project management experience.

Obtaining real-world project management and leadership experience is crucial in this scenario. While your job responsibilities may expose you to some limited aspects of this, they usually won’t be enough on their own.

So, look for chances to get involved in personal projects. Not only will this give you valuable experience, but it will also show potential employers that you can lead a team, even without a degree.

5. Obtain CAPM and PMP certification.

Project managers can pursue various certification programs, which, while not strictly necessary, can be an excellent way to showcase your commitment to the role. As a result, I strongly recommend including project management certification in your long-term goals. [How to Become a Project Manager Without a Degree]

We’ve narrowed down the options to two certifications that are highly valuable for individuals across different industries to simplify the process of finding the right certificates. There is NO degree requirement for these two certifications. You can take the exams as long as you have your high school diploma. However, as mentioned earlier, to be eligible for these tests, you must engage in project management education and earn PDUs.

CAPM Certification

One of the most popular project management certificates globally comes from the Project Management Institute (PMI). It’s a widely recognized credential that shows you understand the basics of project management.

PMP Certification

Once you’ve earned your CAPM certification successfully, I recommend going for the PMP certification. The PMP is the gold standard in project management certifications and is also offered by PMI. Having a PMP certification significantly boosts your earning potential and job opportunities, making it a valuable addition to your resume.

Moreover, these two certifications are recognized globally. While there may be specialized project management certifications for your specific industry, it’s essential to prioritize obtaining your CAPM and PMP certifications first.

6. Learn how to use project management software and apps

Technology plays a big role in project management nowadays. If you want to be a project manager, it’s a good idea to learn about the tools you’ll need. [How to Become a Project Manager Without a Degree]

You can start by trying out these tools on your own projects. If you don’t have any official tasks, you could organize a small event, like a family reunion or birthday party, to practice using these programs and apps.

Some of the most popular project management software include:

Microsoft Project

Microsoft Project is a handy tool for planning, keeping an eye on, and doing projects. It’s full of useful features and easy to use, making it great for project managers.

ProjectLibre

ProjectLibre is a free, open-source alternative to Microsoft Project. Even though it’s free, it does everything Microsoft Project does.

GanttPRO

GanttPRO is a cloud-based project management software that helps you create and manage Gantt charts. It’s designed for teams and small to medium-sized enterprises.

These three programs—Microsoft Project, ProjectLibre, and GanttPRO—are widely used for project management. They give you a good understanding of how such tools work.

7. Apply for project manager positions that don’t require a degree

When you’re ready to become a project manager, you should apply for positions, especially in a company where you already work. If that’s not an option and there are no suitable opportunities in sight, it might be time to explore opportunities elsewhere.

To find a project management position, you can use different job search websites like Monster, Glassdoor, and Indeed. However, my top recommendation is LinkedIn because it makes it easy to find project management positions that don’t require a degree. You can filter your search specifically for project management jobs without needing a degree. [How to Become a Project Manager Without a Degree]

When you’re job hunting, be sure to tailor your resume for each position you apply to. Include all your relevant skills and experience in managing projects. Excellent organizational and attention-to-detail skills are highly valued in project management. Your resume is the perfect chance to showcase these qualities right from the start.

Conclusion

In conclusion, you can definitely go for a job in project management without having a college degree. It’s a smart choice that can lead to a rewarding career. While some jobs might prefer a degree, many project management positions around the world (57.41%) don’t ask for one.

You have lots of opportunities in project management even if you don’t have a degree. With the right qualifications, skills, and experience, you can have a successful and fulfilling career in this growing field.

How to Become a Project Manager Without a Degree(7 steps)