Project Managers are professionals tasked with overseeing the planning, coordination and timely execution of various projects. Project Managers are in charge of preparing the budgets of different projects, allocating resources and manpower to the different projects and keeping the Investors and Stakeholders in the loop about the progress of the projects.
Some of the essential qualifications required to become a project manager after 12th include candidates having cleared their class 12 board exams with a minimum aggregate score of 50% and above followed by pursuing Project Management courses across various certificates, diplomas, undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Some of the most popular project management courses that can be pursued by candidates aspiring to become Project Managers in India are PMP Certification, Post Graduate Diploma in Project Management or MBA in Project Management.
Apart from the IIM’s, some of the Top Management Colleges offering courses in Project Management are the National Institute of Industrial Engineering, and Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies. Admissions to these colleges are usually based on various Management Entrance Examinations such as CAT, XAT, SNAP, NPAT, SET etc followed by GD and PI. However, some colleges grant admissions on the basis of merit as well.
The average time taken to become a Project Manager includes, having successfully completed 3+2 years of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, along with a relevant experience of 2.5 years. Thus, the total time taken to become a Project Manager comes up to approximately 6 – 7 years.
The average salary of Project Managers in India ranges between INR 4.90 LPA – 15 LPA. This however rises with gradual experience and exposure to the profession. The salary of a Project Manager also varies on the types of Project Managers they are or their designations. Read More: Project Manager Salary
- How to Become a Project Manager: Quick Facts
- Who is a Project Manager
- Types of Project Managers
- How to become a Project Manager in India
4.1 How to Become a Project Manager After Class 12th
5.2 PG Diploma in Project Management
5.3 Certificate Course in Project Management
6.1 Canada
6.2 UK
6.3 USA
6.4 Australia
- Pros and Cons of Being a Project Manager
- Skills Required to Become a Project Manager
- Top Recruiters for Project Manager
- Project Manager Salary
10.1 Average Annual
10.2 Specialization wise
10.3 Experience wise
How to Become a Project Manager: Quick Facts
| Industry | All |
| Eligibility | 10+2/equivalent with PCM |
| Job Opportunity | Construction Sector, IT Sector, Healthcare Sector |
| Average Starting Salary | INR 3.35 LPA – 4 LPA |
| Highest Salary | INR 13.35 LPA |
Who is a Project Manager
A Project Manager is an experienced, skilled and qualified professional who is responsible for planning, organizing and directing the completion of projects for an organization while ensuring that the projects are handed within the deadline, budget and scope.
Project Managers are also termed Change Agents. Project Managers use their own skills and expertise to influence a sense of shared purpose within a team. project Managers adapt their working style and approach according to the demands of the various projects that they work on.
Types of Project Managers
A career as a project manager can be challenging but offers a lot to learn. Professional certification post bachelor’s degree can help your career to boost start directly as a Project Manager.
Some of the major classifications among the Project Managers are listed below,
- Assistant Project Manager: The assistant project manager title doesn’t mean that you will be stuck with the assistant work. You won’t be able to make decisions but you will be assigned specific tasks to perform, manage, report on progress and issues, and provide solutions accordingly.
- Project Manager: A project manager leads a management team, takes all the important decisions, and handles the entire project. A project manager delegates tasks to assistants; analyzes budgets and comes up with successful conclusions to achieve business goals.
- Senior Project Manager: The senior project manager handles multiple projects at the same time and also looks after the manager’s work and decisions.
How to Become Project Manager in India
Becoming a Project Manager in India is a challenging job before and after. Students who wish to pursue this career must train their minds to face challenges and start preparing after qualifying for secondary class (10th). Thereafter they need to choose the right subjects, and prepare for Graduation, followed by a Diploma course in Project Management.
- School Level Preparation: To become a project manager in India, one must have preferably commerce subjects like Maths, Finance, Accounts etc at a senior secondary level. After qualifying 10th, while pursuing your senior secondary classes (10+2) with PCM subjects, start preparing for the entrance exam like CAT, MAT, XAT etc to take admission to a top university/college.
How to become a Project Manager After Class 12th
Students right after clearing class 10th can pursue subjects preferably in the Commerce field like Finance, Accounts, Maths, Entrepreneurship etc that would help them get the correct ideas right from the ground level. However, students from any discipline can pursue Project Management.
- Graduation Preparation: After qualifying for 12th standard, candidates have to clear the entrance exam and complete a 3 years graduation degree. It is recommended that after graduation, candidates should enrol themselves for a project management certification like Professional Project Management (PMP), Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), etc from the Project Management Institute (PMI).
- Post Graduation Preparation: After completion of the UG course and before opting for a job or higher studies, you must gain a professional project management certification along with some work experience to secure a better designation and salary package.
Project Management Courses
After a 3-year bachelor’s degree, to jump-start, your career goes for an MBA in Project Management.
MBA Project Management
MBA Project Management is a two years postgraduate degree course that focuses on the decision-making and leadership skills of the candidates. The MBA project management course allows the candidates to develop the strategic planning and coordination necessary to carry out a project. Admission to the top MBA Project Management course is done on the basis of Entrance Examination such as CAT, MAT, XAT, and SNAP. The top MBA Project Management Colleges are NIMS University, Sikkim Manipal University, CMJ University, etc.
MBA Project Management Eligibility Criteria
The following is the list of eligibility criteria for the course
- Candidates are required to score at least 55-60% in their graduation or equivalent level.
- A 5% relaxation is provided to the candidates belonging to the reserved categories.
- There is no upper age limit to the course and the candidates need to qualify for any one of the entrance examinations.
Entrance Examination
The following are the list of entrance examinations that the candidates can appear for.
| Exam Name | Conducting Body | Registration Dates (Tentative) | Exam Date (Tentative) |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAT | IIM Ahmedabad | August 3 – September 14, 2023 | November 26, 2023 |
| CMAT | NTA | Last week of January – Last week of February, 2023 | Last week of March, 2023 |
| MAT | AIMA |
PBT: Till February 14, 2023 CBT 1: Till February 21, 2023 CBT 2: Till February 27, 2023 |
PBT: February 19, 2023 CBT 1: February 26, 2023 CBT 2: March 4, 2023 |
| SNAP | Symbiosis International University | 2nd week of August – 3rd week of November, 2023 | 2nd week of December, 2023 |
PG Diploma in Project Management
PG Diploma in Project Management is a 1-year course that allows the candidates to comprehend the various aspects related to project execution such as initiation, planning, Controlling, coordination, execution and termination of projects. The PG Diploma in Project management course also allows the candidates to find employment in various industries such as Manufacturing, Engineering, IT, Healthcare, etc. The top PG Diploma in Project Management colleges are the National Institute of Industrial Engineering, Career Point University, etc
PG Diploma in Project Management Eligibility
The following are the eligibility criteria for the PGD Project Management Course
- Candidates from a non-engineering background who have completed their graduation require 3 years of experience.
- Candidates having a diploma in engineering/architecture/technology should have at least 4 years of experience
-
Candidates who have graduated in Engineering are required to have 2 years of experience.
Certificate in Project Management
Certificate in Project Management is a 6-month course that allows the candidates to understand the nuances required for the proper execution of a project. The duration of the Certificate in Project Management Courses varies from one institute to another. The Syllabus of the project management courses includes subjects such as Introduction to Projects, Project Selection, Project planning, etc. Admission to these courses is generally done on the basis of a merit list.
The top Certificate in Project Management colleges are IIM Indore, IBS Hyderabad, Loyola Institute of Business Administration, etc.
Certificate in Project Management Eligibility Criteria
- The minimum eligibility criteria for the course are that the candidates are required to pass their 10+2 level examination with a minimum score of 50%.
- In some cases the candidates are required to pass the diploma, undergraduate, or postgraduate program from a recognised board, university or institution. In this case, the average mark required is 50%.
- The candidate needs to have prior work experience of 2 years to be eligible to pursue this course.
- In the case of IIMs the candidates must be nominated by their own corporate office.
Some of the top colleges enrolling students for Project Management courses are tabulated below,
| Name of the Colleges | Average Annual Fees (INR) | Average Annual Salary (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Sikkim Manipal University, Sikkim | 5.5 L | 5 - 7 L |
| Institute of Management & Research | 1.8 L | 5 - 7 L |
| Institute of Business Management & Research | 2.35 L | 4 - 7 L |
| Dibrugarh University | 1.04 L | 3.5 - 6 L |
| Kanpur Institute of Technology | 1.6 L | 4 - 7 L |
How to Become a Project Manager Abroad
Becoming a Project Manager comes with many challenges but when it comes to becoming one Abroad the difficulty level increases. But you must not worry about the level of difficulty as the career in this field is impeccable. Most of the career opportunities as project managers are in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and some parts of the US.
How to Become a Project Manager in Canada
- Canada has become one of the most known countries to study abroad among Indian students.
- MBA in Canada is offered for a duration of 12-20 months with a fee of INR 18,00,000
- Eligibility for Indian students, a bachelor’s degree/equivalent from a recognized university or college with 3-5 years of work experience in the relevant field.
- GMAT score/ IELTS score of 6.5 or above is required to be eligible for admission to a Canadian university.
Top Colleges
| University | Course | Average Annual Fees |
|---|---|---|
| University of New Brunswick | MBA in Project Management, 1 year | INR 20.27 L |
| University of Calgary | MBA in Project Management, 20 months | INR 17.05 L |
How to Become a Project Manager in the UK
- MBA in the UK is offered for a duration of 10-60 months depending on which institute you are choosing.
- Eligibility for Indian students, a bachelor’s degree/equivalent from a reputable institute with 3-5 years of work experience in the relevant field.
- An IELTS score of 6.5 or above/ TOEFL score of 7 or above is required in English to be eligible for admission to the UK institute.
- The fees to pursue MBA in the UK varies between INR 2,00,000 – 2,40,000
| University | Course | Average Annual Fees |
|---|---|---|
| University of London | Global MBA, 12 - 60 months | INR 15.64 L |
| University of Bradford | MBA, 24 months | INR 23.66 L |
| MBA (Executive) 24 - 48 months | ||
| University of Glasgow | MBA, 12 months | INR 16.34 L |
| ESCP Business School | MBA in International Management, 10 months | INR 41.14 L |
| London School of Business and Finance | Global MBA (Project Management), 18 - 36 months | INR 9.20 L |
| Geneva Business School | MBA- Major in International Relations, 18 months | INR 8.18 L |
| Edinburgh Napier University | MBA (Project Management), 21 - 33 months | INR 10.57 L |
How to Become a Project Manager in USA
- MBA in the USA is a postgraduate degree offered for a duration of 1-2 years depending on which institute you are choosing.
- For Indian students, a bachelor’s degree/equivalent is required from a reputable institute with a minimum of 3 years of work experience in the managerial role.
- To be eligible for admissions to the USA institute, you need an IELTS/ TOEFL score.
- The fees to pursue MBA in project management in the USA varies between INR 6,62,000 – 10,00,000
Top Colleges
| University | Course | Average Annual Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Meredith College | MBA- Project Management, 2 years | INR 30.98 L |
| Pebble Hills University | MBA in Project Management, 1-3 years | INR 11.15 L |
| Columbia Southern University | MBA with Concentration in Project Management, 1-3 years | INR 6.87 L |
How to Become a Project Manager in Australia
- The duration of an MBA offered in Australia is 1-2 years depending on the university you choose.
- Indian students are required to have a bachelor’s degree/equivalent from a recognized university.
- Some Australian universities require a minimum of 3 years of work experience.
- To be eligible for admission to an Australian university, IELTS/TOEFL/GMAT/GRE score is required.
- The fees to master’s- MBA in project management in Australia vary between AUD 25-70K.
Top Colleges
| University | Course | Average Annual Fees |
|---|---|---|
| University of Southern Queensland (USQ) | MBA- Project Management, 18 months | INR 18.08 L |
| Deakin University | INR 34.01 L | |
| Chifley Business School | INR 25.26 L | |
| University of the Sunshine Coast | INR 20.31 L | |
| Edith Cowan University (ECU) | MBA- Project Management, 24 months | INR 13.46 L |
| University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) | INR 41 L | |
| Bond University | MBA- Project Management, 12 months | INR 31.14 L |
Educational Requirements
- More than 43% of international project managers have a bachelor's degree and more than 41% have a master's degree.
- Other degrees that have often been seen are certified degrees (7%), associate degrees (3%), or high school diploma degrees (6%).
Pros and Cons of Being a Project Manager
There are both the positive and negative sides of becoming a Project Manager. Some of them are tabulated below,
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Interacting with professionals from diverse backgrounds | Being fully accountable for the entire project |
| Making a plan from scratch to seeing it become effective | Managing Stakeholders |
| Create something from nothing | Dealing with uncertainty |
| Empowering teams and members | Estimation Guesswork |
| Delivering Business Value | Being a professional cat herder |
Skills Required to Become a Project Manager
In order to become a Project Manager in India, candiadates must upscale themselves with required skill sets as tabulated below for
| Critical Thinking | Good Communication | Creative, Strong, and Strategic Mindset |
| Analytical Skills | Problem-Solving Skills | Strong Organizational and Management Skills |
| Negotiation Skills | Strong Leadership Quality | Ability to Monitor and Control Budgets |
| Risk Taker | Attention to Detail |
Top Recruiters for Project Manager
The following are the top recruiters in India that are hiring project managers.
| Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) | Infosys |
| HDFC Bank | Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) |
| Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) | ITC Ltd |
| BG India | SGC India Private Limited |
| Telford International | IBM BTO Business Consulting Services |
Project Manager Salary
The starting salary of a project manager in India varies from INR 3,00,000 to INR 4,50,000. The salary value will also depend on the sectors and how much experience an individual has.
Average Annual Salary
| Name of Organisation | Starting Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Government | INR 3.50 – 4.50 L |
| Private | INR 5 – 5.50 L |
Specialization Wise
| Specialization | Starting Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Assistant Project Manager | INR 3.60 – 4.50 L |
| Project Manager | INR 4 – 5 L |
| Senior Project Manager | INR 6 – 7.50 L |
Read More: Project Management Courses on Udemy
Experience Wise
| Experience | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Fresher | INR 4 – 4.50 L |
| Experienced |
INR 12 – 16.50 L |
Read More: Salary of a Project Manager
How to Become a Project Manager: FAQ’s
Ques: Is it hard to become a project manager?
Ans: A project manager career comes with a lot of challenges but if you are the right person to do it, can handle and have a mindset to overcome those challenges then you are good to go.
Ques: What qualifications do you need to be a project manager?
Ans: A 4-year bachelor’s degree holder is eligible to become a project manager. But for an expert thinking process, it is recommended to have a professional project management certification from PMI along with some experience in the same field.
Ques: Where do I start to become a project manager?
Ans: Earn a bachelor’s degree, learn managerial skills, start managing projects, apply for a project management certification and lastly if you still feel like getting higher education go for a master's degree.
Ques: Do project managers get paid well?
Ans: Project Managers earn a very satisfying salary even at the starting of their career. Across various industries, in India, the average starting salary varies from INR 4,00,000 to INR 4,50,000, and in the US, the average starting salary varies from $90,000 to $ 1,20,000.
Ques: Is project manager a good career?
Ans: Yes, a Project Manager is a good career selection. Each project will help you grow not just in your career but also from a knowledge perspective.
Ques: What are 3 critical skills a project manager needs to succeed?
Ans: If you are good with people not just convincing them but also reading them then you can be a project manager. But the 3 most critical skills that are needed to succeed are commitment & negotiable skills, communication & interpersonal skills, and resolving conflicts while keeping the team together.
Ques: What does a Project Manager do?
Ans: The day-to-day activities of a project manager are planning, handling budgets, assigning tasks to team members, managing, reporting on progress, providing solutions, taking risks, and mainly achieving business goals.
Ques: Do project managers travel a lot?
Ans: Yes and No. It depends on what the project wants. Not every project requires travel but surely, some projects require traveling to attend meetings, monitoring the progress, discussing further activities, meeting stakeholders, and taking decisions on some serious matters.
Ques: Can I become a project manager without experience?
Ans: Without any prior experience, it’s a bit difficult to land a project manager job. But with the help of professional project management certification, you can get a head start in your career.
Ques: What training does a project manager need?
Ans: A four-year bachelor’s degree along with a minimum of 4,500 hours of work experience (more than 2 years). A PMP certification will be an added advantage.
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