Project Management is a unique and valuable skill set. It’s required in virtually every type of career you can imagine because it’s the glue that holds together so many pieces. It is especially important in dynamic, fast-paced environments where there are many people working together on a project with various details, deadlines, and work styles to account for.

This career path can be very rewarding for someone who enjoys keeping things organized, people motivated, and tasks on deadline. And you get the satisfaction of seeing ideas turned into reality - with your help to make it happen! If this peaks your interest, keep reading to learn about the five common personality traits of project managers. If one or more of these align with your own personality, you might have just found your professional calling.

Organization:

This trait is the backbone to any great project manager. Organization should be more than just something you’re capable of, but something you’re passionate about. This means actively seeking and identifying new and better ways to organize your team and its projects. In the tech field, a project analyst is often the equivalent of a project manager. In this role, you are responsible for managing multiple tasks, timelines, and deadlines. Strong organizational skills are essential for staying on top of everything and ensuring that projects are completed on time and within budget.

Communication:

Good communication skills are foundational skills that apply to every job, but they're especially important in project management. Project managers must be able to clearly and effectively communicate with team members, stakeholders, and clients to inform, motivate, and understand one another. Often projects have numerous people working in tandem on efforts that impact one another. A project manager is the hub for all communication, questions, and concerns. This role helps keep everyone on the same page and find solutions to problems as soon as they arise.

Flexibility:

Nothing ever goes exactly as planned, even in a professional setting, and you'll need to adapt to changes and unexpected challenges no matter what role you play. But for project managers, flexibility is not only an important skill, it’s a lifeline to navigating the ever-evolving needs of a project. The most effective project manager has a flexible attitude and maintains a willingness to pivot when necessary to ensure the success of the project and team.

Leadership:

Project managers, or project analysts as they are often called in the tech world, serve as the point person for a project, so strong leadership skills are key. This means being proactive in your approach to organizing and assigning tasks, motivating peers, detailing tasks and deadlines, and communicating with stakeholders. Exceptional project managers stay one step ahead of everyone else to prevent and mitigate issues before they become bigger issues. They also lead with their actions and maintain a willingness to roll up their sleeves and help whenever and wherever necessary.

Problem-Solving:

In project management, unexpected issues and roadblocks are par for the course. Being able to think creatively and come up with solutions to problems is essential for keeping a project on track. While things may get derailed sometimes, it doesn’t have to turn into a complete trainwreck so long as the project manager has good problem solving skills. And this doesn’t mean finding the fastest or easiest solution. It can be researching and considering many options and being to discern the best option for the situation, team, and purpose of the project. Great problem-solvers get the fulfillment of knowing a situation that could have gone far worse was mitigated just in time and a favorable outcome was achieved. Disaster averted!

What does the career of a project manager look like?

Project managers in the tech space can expect to earn a competitive salary. According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a project analyst in the US is around $70,000 per year. Plus, the employment outlook for project analysts is strong, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting a 5% increase in employment between 2019 and 2029.

The culture in project management tends to be fast-paced and dynamic. You'll work closely with a team and have the opportunity to develop your skills and take on new challenges. And because project management is such a crucial role in many industries, there are often opportunities for advancement and career growth.

If you’ve read this far and have grown even more interested in pursuing a career in project management, it’s time to take the next step to learn more. NuPaths has helpful information to get you started. First, check out our Project Analyst program. We have classes starting soon! If you have questions, one of our friendly career advisors would be happy to speak with you further.