Is a Project Management Degree Worth It?
Is a project management degree worth it? The short answer is definitely yes. Whether on the bachelor’s or master’s level, it’s not a bad idea to pursue a higher education degree in project management if you’re looking to get a good start in your project management career.
However, a project management degree is not a requirement to become a project manager. Many project managers have been successful in landing a PM role based on experience, skills and certifications.
Now, let’s explore a real-world perspective from someone who has successfully walked the path. I recently had the pleasure of speaking with a NYU grad who obtained her master’s degree in Project Management.
Her insights shed light on both the advantages and challenges of taking this route to start her career in project management.
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Is a Project Management Degree Worth It?
When I asked Pascale if she thought obtaining her degree in project management was worth it, she immediately said yes. She also gave me several reasons why; One being that, because she went to NYU, she had access to a huge project management network.
For me, I knew I wanted to work in project management, but I never considered getting a degree in it. I was more concerned with earning my PMP certification because it was and is still the most sought-after qualification for most PM roles.
However, when she broke down her reason for getting the degree, it made perfect sense why we chose different routes.
Pascale Nau
She explained that she had no prior experience in project management coming from an education background. Whereas I had around 4 years of experience prior to obtaining my PMP certification and already knew the ins and outs. Basically, she needed to learn the foundation and language of project management.
Prior knowledge in project management is extremely important when it comes to deciding if a project management degree is right for you. Of course, there are many online certificates and training that you can do for a fraction of the cost and time; however, there’s something really attractive about an individual who has gone through the comprehensive journey of earning a degree.
Pros and cons of earning a project management degree.
So, the NYU grad also shared that in earning her project management degree, she learned advanced leadership and communication skills. Additionally, she highlighted the benefits of understanding how project management works across industries, specifically marketing, software development, and real estate!
Not only did she learn the fundamentals of project management, but she was also exposed to the many types of jobs you can have in project management; ultimately helping to shape her career trajectory.
To sum it all up, if you’re not pressed about the cost and have access to a school that offers a project management degree program, absolutely go for it. Especially if you’re new to the industry and have a desire to earn a higher education degree.
However, if you’re not interested in the major commitment that comes with college, opt for the Google certificate program and work on building your project management experience.
By, Airess Rembert, PMP, Member of Women Of Project Management & Blogger at The Nerd Bae
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