I’m excited to be teaching Project Management again this year at William Jessup University. A few weeks ago, someone asked me a great question: “Is project management really necessary if I never plan to become a project manager?”
My answer? A resounding yes.
Let me explain. Even if you never step into a formal project
management role, learning how to manage projects is one of the most valuable
skillsets you can develop in your career. And I don’t mean that in some vague,
“nice-to-have” kind of way. I mean that mastering the fundamentals of project
management will genuinely change how you work, how you lead, and how others
perceive your value.
Here’s why: no matter what field you’re entering: healthcare, marketing, engineering,
education, business, or nonprofit work your ability to plan, organize,
communicate, and follow through is what drives results. That’s the heart of
project management.
At some point, you’ll be the one responsible for pushing
something forward. It could be a new initiative, a campaign, a policy rollout,
a research study, or even just a complex task with lots of moving parts. If you
don’t know how to manage a project, chances are someone else will do it for you,
or worse, the project will run you instead of the other way around.
I’ve seen incredibly talented people struggle, not because
they lacked intelligence or creativity—but because they didn’t know how to
align timelines, manage expectations, or stay calm when things didn’t go
according to plan. That’s where project management becomes a game changer.
It’s not just about charts or software tools. It’s about
learning how to think clearly when things get messy. It’s about being able to
communicate your ideas in a way that gets people aligned. It’s about leading
even when you don’t have a formal title. And most importantly, it’s about
finishing what you start.
I remind students that college is the perfect time to build
this skillset. Students are already managing deadlines, group projects,
research papers, and maybe even a job or family responsibilities. Every class
assignment is a mini project. Every group presentation is an opportunity to
practice real-world collaboration and time management.
So, if you’ve ever thought that project management is
“someone else’s job,” think again. It’s not just for project managers. It’s for
anyone who wants to make an impact and lead effectively in any professional
environment.
Think of it as your secret weapon. The more comfortable you
become with managing projects, the more doors will open and the more confident
you’ll be in every challenge you take on.
Happy Thursday all,
-srt