ICT project managers oversee and coordinate every aspect of the ICT projects that their employers or clients entrust to them. This role requires both extensive expertise and focused training — yet there is no single, set-in-stone path for becoming an ICT project manager. You have multiple choices for acquiring the skills you would need to enjoy ongoing success in this career path. The following are some of the most popular training options that could prepare you well for becoming an ICT project manager:
Undergraduate University Degrees
University is the most usual pathway for entering the field of ICT project management. If you choose this option, you’d want to be sure of completing a highly relevant course in a closely related field of study such as information technology or computer science, although there are other majors that could potentially be useful. It’s possible to pursue degrees that are offered in a traditional, face-to-face classroom setting as well as online degrees and degree programs that provide a blend of both types of learning.
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
VET training is a possible alternative to university training. This is a pathway that a minority of ICT project managers take. A couple of possibilities to consider include a Certificate III in information, digital media and technology or a Certificate IV in information technology support.
Certifications
It is quite common for ICT project managers to obtain both a university degree and one or more certifications. One viable certification to consider would be the Project Management Professional (PMP®) certification.
Advanced Degrees
An advanced degree is optional. While advanced study isn’t obligatory for career success as an ICT project manager, it could definitely prove to be helpful for securing one of the more senior-level roles in this niche. Some possible choices for advanced fields of study include a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree, a Master of Management, a Master of Business Analytics, or a Master of Science in Data Engineering. These are not the only viable possibilities.
Does It Matter If Your Degree Is Completed Online?
Liz Smith, director of UNSW online, succinctly summarized why you might want to consider studying online instead of face-to-face. She says,
“Studying online … is like studying at university in all respects other than you get to choose when you study and where you study.”
If you wish to maintain your current job while also obtaining your degree, the advantages associated with online study cannot be overestimated. Online learning allows you to manage your time efficiently in multiple ways. It empowers you to access your classes at times that would otherwise be inconvenient or impossible to use for studying. You also save commuting time.
While there are differences in the academic experience presented by each type of learning, the outcome is the same overall: You will end up with a qualification that facilitates your transition into a project management role.
Typically, your prospective employers will not easily be able to discern whether your degree was completed online or in person. Your academic records usually will not make any mention of this aspect of your coursework.
These are some of your most usual options for obtaining training to become an ICT project manager. Each type of learning, and each individual course of study, has its own distinct advantages, so it is beneficial to consider all aspects of the available programs before you make a decision about which one would be best for you.
