Hot Job of the Month: IT Project Manager
by Joel Milani
If you're ready to decide on a career path, you can't go wrong specializing in information technology (IT). The average modern business is inseparable from technology, and that's not a bad thing. Advances in IT have allowed for faster, more efficient exchanges of information, which has in turn made many business more profitable. This article will discuss how to become an IT project manager, what the career involves, and the projected growth of careers in information technology.
IT Project Managers: What Do They Do?
The main responsibility of a project manager is to monitor and coordinate the completion of various tasks, while delegating specific duties to other members of a team. Project managers who specialize in information technology work with local and wide area computer networks, and may also manage web- and software-related projects. Throughout the process of completing a project (building a website, for example) the IT project manager will determine priorities, monitor progress, delegate responsibility, check quality/functionality and report to a senior manager. It's a fascinating career that is ideal for the natural leader who is also interested in the quickly evolving technology field.
How Do You Become an IT Project Manager?
Most IT project management positions require a bachelor's or master's degree in information technology, project management or other similar field. You can contact schools that offer IT project management degree programs by filling out the form on the right side of this page.
There are various levels of IT project management, and beginning in an entry-level position and moving up after gaining experience is common. Visit our site's section on IT Project Management for more information on other possible career paths for this degree.
What Can I Expect From a Career in IT Project Management?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, graduates with a degree in IT project management have an excellent career outlook. IT project management careers are among the fastest-growing in the country, and should continue to increase over the next ten years. Not only is the profession expected to expand significantly in the coming years, the expected median salary for a computer and information system manager is over $100k per year.
In addition to the excellent career outlook, an IT project management position comes with the opportunity to work in a variety of industries. If networking is your specialty, you may choose to work for a large corporation, managing an enterprise-level computer network. If you're interested in using your IT skills in a creative environment, a digital media company such as Pixar may be the perfect fit. Information technology is such an essential part of most business that no matter what your interests are, there is an IT project management career out there for you.
I'm Interested in an IT Project Management Career—What Next?
If you'd like to receive more information on degree programs that can lead to a career in IT project management, then fill out the form on the right side of this page. We'll connect you with a career college admissions advisor who can go over your options and help you decide on the best way to achieve your career goals. For additional information on IT project management degree programs, check out our site's IT project management degree pages. There you'll find a list of the degree levels offered, a sample list of courses you can expect to take while earning your degree, and a few of the careers you'll qualify for with a degree in IT project management.