The right project management certification can do a lot for your career. One certification can help you earn a promotion, land a better job, even deepen your earning power.
Let’s explore the concept of a project management certification — what it is, how it helps and what it could mean for learners like you, on the cusp of a meaningful six-figure career.
What is a project management certification?
A project management certification is an official credential that demonstrates your credibility in successfully implementing and executing project management strategies. Project Management Professionals, also known as PMPs, represent the gold standard in project management certification.
In order to become a PMP, you must first pass an exam administered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). The best project management certification prep programs help students like you prepare to nail that exam on their first try.
To earn your PMP, you must first meet experience and education requirements, and then pass an exam.
The PMP exam isn’t easy; most students study for months in anticipation. Fortunately, our Essential Project Management Exam Preparation course can help you prepare for your upcoming examination.
Who is a project management certification for?
A project management certification is beneficial for anyone who wants to pursue a career in project management. The same certification can help non-certified project managers deepen their earning power and improve an existing skillset.
Today, many employers prefer to hire candidates who hold an active project management certification.
What will I learn as part of a project management certification?
As part of our exam preparation course, and in anticipation for your PMP exam, you will learn to:
- Define project management fundamentals within your organization;
- Structure your organization’s project management methodology;
- Initiate and develop a project management plan and its individual components;
- Plan a project schedule, resources and procurements;
- Forecast potential project costs and risks;
- Execute project details;
- Monitor project work, scope, risks, stakeholder engagement and communications;
- Control project changes, schedule, costs, quality and resources;
- Close a project and report on its initial and ongoing results.
These skills are project management essentials, whether you’re managing your first project or leading a large, complex initiative.
Understanding and applying these concepts will help you successfully deliver projects on time, within budget, to the satisfaction of any executive project directors.
The right project management certificate preparation course can give you the edge you need to succeed in this highly competitive field.
What are the benefits of having a project management certification?
A project management certification can provide a wide variety of benefits. The right certification can deepen your enjoyment of an existing career, or help catapult your career toward the project management position you’re looking to fill.
Let’s explore a few of the more notable benefits to a project management certification below.
Improved marketing skills
A project management certificate can help you improve many of the skills you leverage on a daily basis. You'll learn about the latest project management tools and techniques, and how to apply them to real-world projects.
Enhanced job opportunities
A project management certification will open up new job opportunities that may not have been available to you before. Companies are always looking for qualified project managers, and a certification will help you stand out from the crowd.
Higher salary potential
Project managers with a certification can command a higher salary than those without one. In fact, the median salary for certified project managers is $91,000 per year according to the Project Management Institute.
Elevated project success rate
Projects that are managed by certified project managers have a higher success rate than those that are not. From start to finish, certified project managers understand exactly how to work alongside project teams to reach consistent deadlines.
Access to in-demand careers
Project management is one of the most in-demand career fields in today's job market.
According to the Project Management Job Growth and Talent Gap Report, there will be nearly 22 million new project management jobs created globally between 2017 and 2027.
In the United States alone, there will be a need for nearly 700,000 new project managers during that time period.
With those kinds of job growth projections, it's no wonder that more individuals are pursuing project management certifications.
Amplified earnings
Project management certifications do more than simply provide job security. They can also lead to salary increases and promotions.
Project management is already a very paid profession, with top project managers earning more than $130,000 in certain sectors. A project management certification and boost this already impressive pay cheque.
The median salary for project managers is $91,000 per year, but certified project managers can earn up to 20% more than their non-certified counterparts.
If you're looking to boost your earnings potential, a project management certification is definitely worth considering.
Better career advancement opportunities
With a project management certification, you'll have the skills and knowledge to be able to manage projects of all sizes successfully.
Pursuing a project management certification can also give you a leg up on the competition when it comes to landing a job. In today's job market, employers are looking for candidates who have the right mix of technical skills and soft skills.
A project management certification demonstrates both your technical expertise and the people skills you need to find long-term success in a project manager role.
How can I prepare for my project management certification?
If you're looking to move into a project management role or want to improve your job prospects and earning potential, then pursuing a certification is a great idea. Of course, this means you’ll need to start preparing for that certification soon.
That’s exactly why we’ve built a Project Management Certification Preparation course: to help students like you prepare for long-term success in the project management field, first by passing their upcoming exam.
Taught by renowned project management professions, this exam preparation course is only seven days long, and teaches you all the information you’ll need to know on the day off the exam.
Connect with our Admissions team to reserve your spot in our next PMP exam prep course. We’ll see you in class!
