As we venture into 2017, many people have taken the time of resolutions and new beginnings to take a look at their career. How can I earn more money? Is this the right path for me? Will this job even be here in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years? In light of these questions and an ever-changing workforce, the Project Management Institute® (PMI) has released their 2017 Jobs Report to let us know what the future of this career looks like.

“In an increasingly competitive market, organizations will have to lower their margins to win contracts. That creates a high demand for project professionals who have the skills to efficiently manage projects.”

-Brandon Lane, PMP, general manager, distributed energy projects, Duke Energy, Charlotte, NC

Over the last ten years, the economy in the United States has suffered from many trials and tribulations, but has recently began to recover. According to the Jobs Report, the unemployment rate peaked at 10% in 2009 and dropped to below 5% in the last year. This rate is the lowest it has been in 9 years. With this upswing in jobs, project management professionals have become a more valuable entity in a multitude of different industries, focused heavily in IT, construction, healthcare, and financial services. Seeing the most growth has been project managers in the IT and construction industries, with an expected growth of roughly 6% by 2024, as stated by the U.S. Department of Labor.

As the Jobs Report reads on, the emphasis of the right credentials, training, and skill set becomes evident. It states that “having the right credentials can help you get recognized- and command a better salary. The Project Management Professional (PMP) ® certification is one of the top seven highest-paying certifications.” St. Petersburg College has recognized the demand for this certification and is now regularly offering an in-person PMP Certification Exam Prep Course, available as a non-degree seeking course, designed to provide the knowledge and the educational hours required to sit for the exam. More information on the course can be found here.

To learn more about why you need a certification in project management, click here.

Additionally, SPC has added a class on Project Management Fundamentals, that is designed for those who are brand new to the world of project management or are looking to manage their current work-life challenges better. This class is recommended to be taken prior to the prep class, if you are new to the formal world of project management. More information can be found here.

In a world where the job market is facing a technological rev olution, it is important to be consistently observing the world around you and doing the planning and research you need to make sure to stay a highly valued employee. With a career outlook and career opportunity that is “outpacing other sectors”, project management could be the hidden gem of the world’s future job market.

For more information on St. Pete College’s upcoming project management certification trainings, professional development trainings, and skills upgrades classes, please visit www.spcollege.edu/workforceinstitute. The class list can he found here. Want to talk through your past work experience and future goals with one of our career specialists? Give us a call at (727) 341-4445 or email us at workforce@spcollege.edu.

Source: The Project Management Institute, 2017 Jobs Report