Not Planning to Be a Project Manager? Read This Anyway

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