Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Job outlook for project directors in the United States
Project director job and salary trends over time
Project director jobs over time
Project director job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7,877 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 21,066 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 10,384 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 7,322 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 6,805 | 0.00% |
Average project director salary over time
Project director salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $107,396 | $51.63 | +4.2% |
| 2024 | $103,018 | $49.53 | +1.3% |
| 2023 | $101,687 | $48.89 | +1.8% |
| 2022 | $99,917 | $48.04 | +0.6% |
| 2021 | $99,312 | $47.75 | +0.1% |
Project director jobs by state
Most common states for project directors
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 531 | 77% |
| 2 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 273 | 31% |
| 3 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 871 | 28% |
| 4 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 745 | 25% |
| 5 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,619 | 24% |
| 6 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,153 | 21% |
| 7 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 267 | 20% |
| 8 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 151 | 20% |
| 9 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 866 | 18% |
| 10 | Oklahoma | 3,930,864 | 707 | 18% |
| 11 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 338 | 18% |
| 12 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,721 | 17% |
| 13 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,571 | 17% |
| 14 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,229 | 17% |
| 15 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 915 | 16% |
| 16 | Louisiana | 4,684,333 | 739 | 16% |
| 17 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,298 | 15% |
| 18 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 609 | 15% |
| 19 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 310 | 15% |
| 20 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 156 | 15% |
Most common cities for project directors
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frankfort | 7 | 25% | $97,795 |
| 2 | Annapolis | 9 | 23% | $98,958 |
| 3 | Juneau | 7 | 22% | $106,136 |
| 4 | Dover | 7 | 19% | $107,384 |
| 5 | Lansing | 9 | 8% | $90,823 |
| 6 | Hartford | 8 | 6% | $117,924 |
| 7 | Topeka | 8 | 6% | $92,440 |
| 8 | Atlanta | 21 | 4% | $86,630 |
| 9 | Baton Rouge | 8 | 4% | $95,457 |
| 10 | Des Moines | 8 | 4% | $99,290 |
| 11 | Boston | 15 | 2% | $94,439 |
| 12 | Washington | 14 | 2% | $100,484 |
| 13 | Sacramento | 10 | 2% | $135,921 |
| 14 | Indianapolis | 12 | 1% | $96,132 |
| 15 | Denver | 9 | 1% | $93,853 |
| 16 | Phoenix | 9 | 1% | $129,667 |
| 17 | Houston | 10 | 0% | $123,906 |
| 18 | New York | 9 | 0% | $104,826 |
Project Director job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of project director experts
Ohio State University
Heidelberg University
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
Oklahoma Baptist University
Auburn University at Montgomery
The Touro College
Western Carolina University
Auburn University at Montgomery
Maryville University
Davenport University
University of Minnesota Crookston
Penn State Behrend
Wofford College
University of Kansas
Northeastern University
Franklin and Marshall College
Binghamton University
Old Dominion University
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Indiana Wesleyan University
Dr. Laura Deeter PhD
Professor of Practice: Horticulture and Crop ScienceOhio State University
Applied Horticulture And Horticultural Business Services
What general advice would you give to a Project Director?
Dr. Laura Deeter PhD: Be open to learning and trying something outside of your comfort zone.
Be willing to work hard and don't expect to be project manager right out of school. Hard work will get you there fast enough.
What Project Director skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Laura Deeter PhD: There are more than enough positions out there to find one with a good starting salary. Apply for as many as you can.
Be willing to relocate to another city or state.
What will help Project Directors increase their earning potential?
Dr. Laura Deeter PhD: There are more than enough positions out there to find one with a good starting salary. Apply for as many as you can.
Be willing to relocate to another city or state.
Dr. Trish Berg
Associate Professor of Management, Heidelberg University, Tiffin, OhioHeidelberg University
Business Administration, Management And Operations
What general advice would you give to a Project Director?
Dr. Trish Berg: Being a project manager involves constant change, learning, and interaction with diverse teams in various departments of an organization. The best parts of being a project manager include working with diverse people, building relationships, creating something new with each new project, empowering and motivating teams, gaining global knowledge, collaboration, impacting organizational culture, and delivering value with completed projects. Some of the difficult parts of working as a project manager include sometimes having accountability without the needed authority to be successful, not having diverse enough skills and having to use estimation and guesswork at times and relying on others for their knowledge. Project managers deal with a lot of uncertainty and must be resilient in how they react to each bump in the road.
What Project Director skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Trish Berg: Daily, project managers create plans, create work schedules, build, and motivate teams, assign, and track work from start to finish, set project setting scopes and budgets, create workflow plans, and define what key performance indicators (KPIs) are which is how they can measure project success. Project managers must be both people focused, and task focused. Successful project managers understand what Sinek calls the power of the why in order to successfully motivate teams towards success.
What will help Project Directors increase their earning potential?
Dr. Trish Berg: One career field that is in high demand and growing is project management. With the complexity and flexibility needed in today's fast-paced culture, many organizations in diverse industries rely on project managers to complete jobs and organize teams to meet the needs of customers.
Daily, project managers create plans, create work schedules, build, and motivate teams, assign, and track work from start to finish, set project setting scopes and budgets, create workflow plans, and define what key performance indicators (KPIs) are which is how they can measure project success.
Project managers must be both people focused, and task focused. Successful project managers understand what Sinek calls the power of the why in order to successfully motivate teams towards success.
Dr. Longzhu Dong Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorUniversity of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
Management + Marketing Department
What soft skills should all Project Directors possess?
Dr. Longzhu Dong Ph.D.: The world of international business has changed a great deal in the past few years. Due to increased globalization, massive technological advances in online coordination, and the Covid pandemic, the need to develop project managers who can lead fully functioning global virtual teams (GVTs) has never been greater. Indeed, studies show that virtual teams are becoming the norm, and more and more multinational companies rely on GVTs to deal with their day-to-day challenges.
However, leading and working in GVTs poses unique challenges that traditional leadership approaches do not seem suited to tackling well. Such challenges include cross-cultural misunderstandings, lack of trust and spontaneity, poor communication, hard to focus and hold teammates accountable, all of which may result in low productivity. Therefore, to thrive in the international business world today, a manager may need an entirely different set of skills.
Perhaps the most important soft skill is cultural intelligence (CQ). CQ refers to the ability to relate and work effectively across different cultures, triggering a train reaction in GVTs. It first requires people to have an open mindset, which helps them realize that cultural differences are just differences and that every culture has its own way of defining "right" and "wrong." Just as the famous Confucius teaching goes, "all people are the same; only their habits differ." Indeed, when differences are seen as something neutral, the negative consequences of cultural bias can be minimized. CQ can also improve GVT communication effectiveness by better understanding visual and auditory cues such as body language and facial expressions so that GVT members will not form false impressions based on stereotypes. When everyone on your team is ready for open dialogue, GVTs can easily clarify shared team goals and guidelines, set clear expectations of each role, and foster trust along the way.
If CQ is the most important soft skill, then being tech-savvy would be the most important hard skill. Technological advances in online coordination/communication make global virtual teams possible and function well. As of right now, there are a lot of great online tools (e.g., Zoom, Google Meet, etc.) that integrate all key types of communication: conference call, breakout rooms, text messaging, file sharing, and online collaboration. However, simply being able to use various virtual meeting tools well is not enough because there's no one-size-fits-all tool for every team all the time. Being tech-savvy asks managers to steer the digital transformation in their teams promptly. It requires managers to constantly evaluate the emerging new technologies and make sure their choice of the tools "fits" their teams' needs over time, which may include members' network conditions, tool preferences, work style, tech skill levels, and the nature of the task/project.
Working in a global virtual team isn't necessarily only about challenges and lower productivity. It can become a valuable advantage and even build a 24/7 work cycle in teams, with proper training on CQ and technological skills.
Dr. Daryl Green
Associate Professor of BusinessOklahoma Baptist University
College of Business
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Project Director job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Daryl Green: I have been researching emerging employment trends for several years. While working for the Department of Energy as a senior engineer, I have served as a college recruiter. There were gaps in the students' skill sets compared to employers' needs. I later co-authored a book called Job Strategies for the 21st Century to provide students with the necessary tools for future employment. 2021 will be very difficult due to the pandemic. From my research, here are 2021 employment trends to consider:
-Global Market - We are connected! Since employers can tap into human resources across the world, students will compete against others across the globe.
-Students who understand this employment reality will be better prepared.
-AI and Automation - Artificial intelligence is disruptive technology. Companies can avoid the high expense of labor through automation. According to 2013 Oxford University study, nearly half of American jobs are at risk of being taken over by computers by 2033. Students need to understand AI technologies.
-New Work Model - 2020 brought in the explosion of working from home due to Covid-19. Employees already wanted to have more flexibility in life. They got it from employers. Companies responded by offering 70% of full-time workers the ability to work from home!
-Freelancing - Freelancing is part of the gig economy. It goes much further than Airbnb and Uber. In the gig economy, businesses hire independent contractors to perform individual jobs, called "gigs." The total freelancing income is almost $1 trillion. Therefore, students who have an entrepreneurial mindset will fare better.
-Digital & Ecommerce - Covid-19 ushered the digital economy. If companies did not have a digital platform in 2020 with the lockdowns, they did not exist. According to the Internet World Stats, there are currently 4,208,571, 287 internet users. Therefore, students cannot afford to miss this continuing trend of digital platforms.
Brett Lehman Ph.D.
ProfessorAuburn University at Montgomery
Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Project Directors?
Brett Lehman Ph.D.: Sociology students with research and public speaking experience will have improved job prospects. This could be developed in many courses, though some core areas for us are Research Methods and Statistics. Most employers collect and analyze data of some kind. Then they have to organize the results properly and present the findings to a variety of audiences. Any course that require students to do their own projects, make difficult decisions, justify those decisions, and then explain the results give students a leg up in critical thinking skills and much more. Students might also have similar experiences through community service, independent/supervised research projects, or an internship.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Project Director job market given the pandemic?
Jodi Smolen: Given the pandemic, new employees must be very proactive. They may be working from home--so they need to speak up, ask for advice and make sure they are delivering what is needed. They are missing out on those chance meetings in the hallway--so they may have to schedule Zoom sessions with peers or supervisors to touch base more often.
Students in marketing need to be savvy with social media. They need to be comfortable posting and following on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. Companies are looking for ways to meet their clients in comfortable spaces.
Given the pandemic, I think job trends are subject to change. Companies are still figuring out when/if they will be able to return to the office. Some firms are fully in-person while others are rotating staff in and out of the office, so they are not at full capacity. As business picks up for companies, I see they will be able and willing to hire more employees to handle the influx. At Touro College, our students receive a superior education. As marketing students, they should compile a portfolio of class projects as they move through their classes and add anything they create on their own time as well.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Project Directors?
Jodi Smolen: I think this depends on the industry. Finance students give themselves an advantage by taking the Securities Industry Essential (SIE) exam during college. The exam does not require employer sponsorship and it is good for 4 years. If students want to become a securities trader, investment banker, or financial advisor, the SIE exam is a necessary step before they take the Series 6 and 7 exams after graduation. It shows a prospective employer that the student is serious about a career in the financial services industry.
In addition, finance students should hone their advanced Excel skills. Whether they do this in college, or on their own time, knowing Pivot Tables and VLOOKUP will set them apart from other candidates.
Computer science students should know that Python is in strong demand. If they know the basics of this language, they will have more job opportunities in different industries. Similarly, many data science jobs require Python, SQL or R programming languages. Candidates who pick up programming languages easily can learn on the job, but it is always more desirable to walk into the job knowing the language they want to use.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Project Directors?
Angela Sebby Ph.D.: While jobs may be slower to return to the capacity pre-Covid, the industry and tourism employment will rebound as people still want to travel and explore diverse foods, cultures, and experiences. However, the enduring impact will be the rapid onset of technology that allowed for limited contact with employees and others has become the new norm. Although human interaction is an important aspect of service in the tourism industry, employers have found that they can reduce the number of personal interactions but still deliver an acceptable level of quality service. What would have taken years to adopt, COVID created an amplified adoption.
What soft skills should all Project Directors possess?
TeWhan Hahn Ph.D.: Writing skills including email writing, being able to work in teams, and knowing the workplace etiquettes.
Meaghan Goodman Ph.D.
Program Director & Assistant ProfessorMaryville University
Speech-Language Pathology
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Project Directors?
Meaghan Goodman Ph.D.: At this point it is hard to say. Certainly, there were immediate impacts as students and professors alike shifted to learning and teaching in a virtual world. Some students had to tackle online learning while sharing resources like Wi-Fi with parents and other siblings. Long term, it is possible that coronavirus may impact hiring for the foreseeable future. With more money needing to be shifted towards personal protective equipment, and cleaning procedures and supplies, many businesses including hospital systems and school districts will be taking a closer look at their bottom line.
I do think this pandemic highlighted a need for highly skilled Speech-Language Pathologists. For some, contracting COVID-19 meant intubation (a procedure in which a tube in inserted through the mouth and into the trachea to provide breathing support for critically ill patients). We are often consulted for patients requiring prolonged intubation. After a patient has intubation removed, we are often consulted in evaluating damage to a patient's swallow as well as their vocal quality. Because of the nature of intubation, patients aren't able to speak, so alternative forms of communication must be established, lending another opportunity for a Speech-Language Pathologists to demo
What's a day at work look like for a Project Director?
Meaghan Goodman Ph.D.: A bachelor's in communication sciences and disorders can prepare you for three different tracks. First, it can prepare you to become a licensed Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA). This is someone who works under a fully credential speech-language pathologist. Often times, they carryout intervention plans developed by a fully credentialed speech-language pathologist. If graduate school is on your horizon, a bachelor's degree in communication sciences and disorders will prepare you for acceptance into a Speech-Language Pathology program, or an Audiology program. If you are not accepted into a graduate program right away, working as a speech-language pathology assistant (SLPA) is a great way to get experience in the field!
What soft skills should all Project Directors possess?
Todd Terry: Graduates as they prepare to enter the workforce should pay particular attention to their ability to communicate with coworkers. This communication could happen through face-to-face interactions, remote meetings with the aid of technology for example, meeting by computer software, written communication through instant messaging, or emails. Also, part of communicating is being a good listener.
Graduates should have good critical thinking skills. They will need to be adaptive and able to analyze data to make good informed decisions.
In today's work environment, working on teams is a regular function. Therefore, employers are looking for the candidate who can professionally interact with other team members, have a positive attitude and a good work ethic.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Project Director job market given the pandemic?
Rutherford Johnson Ph.D.: People and companies have seen that many jobs can be done from home or remotely, and the technology exists and is improving to allow that. It also allows for more work-life balance, which is, in my opinion, important both for health and for worker productivity. I expect this trend will continue to one degree or another, even as more in-person interaction returns. The same mindset and technology also allows for more international engagement without travel or relocation. So, perhaps now we will see graduates in the USA working for companies in Germany, or from France working for Polish companies, and so on -- all without relocating. That is a great way to expand opportunities as well for those in developing countries who might not otherwise have access to such jobs.
What skills stand out on Project Director resumes?
Rutherford Johnson Ph.D.: Well, familiarity and proficiency with the technology I just described is now important. I also always promote language as a highly valuable skill -- and if you are working internationally, even remotely, it is a definite skill that makes you stand out. Even though English is now the main international language, do not just rely on that if that is your main language. Knowing the language of your clients, for example, even just a little of it, can pay off and make you get noticed. It also helps you understand the culture and people of that country a lot better.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Project Directors to find work opportunities?
Rutherford Johnson Ph.D.: With the remote working possibilities, graduates could work for a company in a big city without leaving their hometown. As for classic jobs with relocation involved, that really depends on the field. For international business, the major international and finance cities such as New York, Boston, and Atlanta are always significant -- though with definite cost of living problems. My advice is to look everywhere and be willing to give a city or region you never thought of living in a try. The less-traveled path can often lead to great success.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Project Directors?
Phil Stuczynski: Yes, and no. On the one hand, we can look back to something as recent as the "Great Recession" from a little over a decade, and in some ways we are still seeing the impact from that generation. Rather than graduates being able to step into a strong entry level position in a desired field, you had many individuals who literally would take any job that was available. And, while it was admirable for individuals to go into a job (something is better than nothing), if you find yourself in a different career path or even in a job that may not need as much training in the skills you specifically went to school for, it can make an improper fit.
Now, the good news here is that students who have been trained in economics, or many business students in general tend to understand the broader vantage point of business. In times like these, even if unemployment starts to creep up, there will be businesses climbing over one another to try and secure talent that can understand data. Certain computer skills, forecasting skills, drawing connections between differing levels of business, any every other combination of resource and household management will be useful to a business.
So, will there be an impact? Perhaps. Jobs are probably just a bit more difficult to come by right now as compared to even one calendar year ago. That being said, many universities have continued to not only have students positioned well so they can plug right in and be effective remotely, but many of those students are as good or better with the technology and software as those in the private sector.
What type of skills will young Project Directors need?
Phil Stuczynski: Hitting just a few of the big ones, computer skills are going to be as important as ever. We have seen individuals in many fields embrace the idea of technology. Supply chains are being tested, and with that comes the financial capacity to build those facilities and shipping routes. International skills including trade and negotiations will be key. And truly any of the numbers from data analysis, to software that helps understand and manipulate said data, and especially financial and accounting. The long story short is probably three major skills.
1) Communication (with people and computers / software). 2) Analysis (economic at the macro level, and business specific / financial / accounting at the micro level). and 3) Self learning. As we have seen through this pandemic, we have seen processes, systems, products, and entire operations literally change overnight in response to biological threats, supply chains being broken, or by government decree. Individuals who can adapt on the fly and go find a new solution (even if it means they need to teach themselves the system, teach themselves the technology or software, teach themselves the coding, etc.), those are the types of graduates that employers are not just going to like, but are actively looking for.
What experience really stands out on Project Director resumes?
Phil Stuczynski: Currently? I think a big one is going to be being flexible, showing you are able to adapt, and having any example of continuing to push through during these recent times.
We have had students who have literally been stuck. They have been in an apartment or a dormitory hours (or countries) away from home. And yet they still managed. They still did their coursework, they learned new software on the fly, they felt comfortable asking more questions than ever and even teaching themselves more as needed.
When we go back to something such as the great financial crisis, you had individuals who would sort of get burnt out when searching for a job. And to be fair, who could blame them. This was a strained economy and even the most qualified of candidates were hard pressed to find employment coming out of college when you had people with decades of experience competing just to continue bringing a paycheck in. However, you also had some individuals who would do what was necessary. For example I am keenly aware of an individual student I had years ago who was qualified for almost any job in a normal economy. That being said, he took a job with a bank where his degree wasn't even required. He was overqualified and knew it, but he would rather get experience than just sit around and do nothing. Fast forward a few years and he was not only at that bank only a short time before being promoted, but he used that promotion to move into yet a higher role later and has continued to enjoy success he may not have had if he was just waiting on a good job to come along.
What I'm saying is, the parallels here are through no fault of their own, students are going to enter an economy where things aren't as normal as they were just weeks before. This is going to sort itself out, but the students who push forward and adapt and just do something will stand out compared to those who sit on the sidelines and wait. Anything that highlights they are flexible and able to work in the face of disjointed operations or new limitations will not just find themselves being sought after, but because businesses need employees who can make quick changes on the fly more than ever, those students who can prove they can do it? They're going to be the ones who get ahead.
Dr. Smriti Bhargava Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of EconomicsWofford College
Economics Department
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Project Director job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Smriti Bhargava Ph.D.: This is a hard question to answer given the uncertainty that exists. One trend that is likely to stay is the possibility of working remotely or working-from-home. More and more companies are gravitating towards this trend, and this may open many exciting and flexible opportunities for new graduates and current workers. It may also take a while for the job market to heat up again and to create new jobs.
What skills stand out on Project Director resumes?
Dr. Smriti Bhargava Ph.D.: I think skills of data analysis in addition to knowledge of software programs (through prior experience in terms of a research project with a faculty member or an internship) will stand out on a resume as college graduates search for jobs. Such experience signals abilities of quantitative reasoning and critical thinking, which are highly valued. In addition, good communication skills, both written and verbal, are extremely important.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Project Directors to find work opportunities?
Dr. Smriti Bhargava Ph.D.: It depends on what the student likes doing- if they enjoy working with numbers and data, they would be well suited for industry as data analysts. They may want to work in policy think tanks or government organizations as research associates of policy analysts if they want to learn about the effect of legislations. If math is their forte, Graduate school is also an interesting path to take if they are hoping to work in academia or pursue high-ranking positions in the government, research, and policy.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Project Directors?
Milena Stanislavova Ph.D.: Along with all the obvious negatives, I feel that we were forced to experiment and innovate the way we teach and learn, and it has brought a lot of ingenuity and creativity on the part of both professors and students. This past semester I have seen so much depth of experiences and focus on what really matters, optimization of the amount of facts versus hands on problem solving techniques, and just sheer planning of the time spent in the classroom time on the part of professors. At the same time, students are forced to be more organized and self-sufficient, skills that will serve them well on the job market and beyond. This new and more focused way of teaching and learning, using every instrument in our toolbox and varying the virtual, in-person and hands-on practical will definitely remain after the pandemic is over.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Project Directors?
Milena Stanislavova Ph.D.: In today's highly technological world, strong quantitative skills are a must for every job. These come with deep mathematical foundations, but more is needed - knowledge of statistics and computational techniques or programing languages, ability to read and interpret data in various formats and familiarity with economics are all great prerequisites. Such courses and technical skills allow one to gain a deep understanding of how the world really works and to create quantitative mathematical models for it. The more we ask students to work on real world research projects that emphasize these skills, the better prepared and competitive they become.
What soft skills should all Project Directors possess?
Milena Stanislavova Ph.D.: Working and collaborating in groups, presenting to different audiences, writing technical reports, grant applications and researching new topics are all essential soft skills. Much of today's world relies on data, so collecting, summarizing, organizing and presenting data is also an important soft skill that is becoming quite fundamental.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Project Director job market given the pandemic?
Ravi Sarathy Ph.D.: Growth in global supply chain and their management, AI and cloud-based software development and solutions, in areas such as global payments, and crowdfunding, and healthcare, using remote healthcare counseling and links to healthcare monitoring devices, developed in global innovation teams, as well as home healthcare combining remote personnel with intelligent health monitoring devices. And more broadly, a significant increase in remote working, on a global scale and through global virtual collaboration.
What skills stand out on Project Director resumes?
Ravi Sarathy Ph.D.: Business analytics capability, with facility in both data gathering and data analysis; understanding of and ability to work with global supply chains; experience and expertise in using global collaboration tools and in managing global virtual teams; and skills and experience in using AI, applied in fields as diverse as healthcare, education, gaming and entertainment.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Project Directors to find work opportunities?
Ravi Sarathy Ph.D.: Given the interest and acceptance of remote working, geographic location is less likely to be of primary importance. Having said that, cities such as Boston, New York, LA, San Francisco, Austin (TX), Seattle, Miami, Atlanta, Nashville and Miami are all likely to be significant growth centers for such jobs and skills.
What Project Director skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Nicole Jones Young Ph.D.: Gap years are interesting to me. There is a difference between someone who has ample monetary resources and voluntarily decides to take a "gap" year to travel the world, as opposed to someone who involuntarily takes a "gap" year because they legitimately cannot find a job.
For students who opt not enter the workforce immediately upon graduation, I would recommend that they utilize this time in a strategic fashion, primarily expanding their network, increasing their skills related to data analytics/analysis, and reading or researching within the broader business field as well as their particular field of interest. Expanding your network is always beneficial because of the value employers place on referrals. If students do not know where to start, I would recommend they join their applicable professional organization and begin attending events (virtual events can still help build relationships).
While specific job duties may differ, the ability to understand and utilize data is in high demand in virtually every job role. Having comfort with data-both quantitative and qualitative--can be a highly beneficial skill that many in the job market may not have to offer.
I also recommend continued reading and researching, as whenever you do enter the workforce you want to know what is going on. I am never surprised, but always disappointed when I ask my students if they heard the latest job numbers or if they saw a recent news article. It is hard to articulate your value to an organization's problems if you are unaware of what they are. Stay current.
Interestingly, I would not recommend that someone enroll in a graduate program simply to take up time. If you just love school, have a clear focus, or had already planned to enroll in graduate school prior to COVID, then proceed. However, if you are unsure about your interests or future career goals, enrolling in a graduate program may be a large investment of time and money that may not result in securing a job of interest upon completion.
What general advice would you give to a Project Director?
Nicole Jones Young Ph.D.: Be flexible. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a lot of uncertainty, but has created new opportunities in others. Staying flexible allows individuals to shift focus away from industries or occupations that may be in decline, and re-focus on employment opportunities that may be more aligned with our current moment.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Project Director job market given the pandemic?
Nicole Jones Young Ph.D.: One big trend we will see is the continuation of working from home. It may not be for all employees every day, but I think that is definitely here to stay. Many employees have been asking for this benefit for years. After almost a year of working from home, many employers that were reluctant in the past have likely realized that employees can still be very productive and they can decrease expenses related to office space.
Another is related to the focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion related efforts. While the majority of the country was quarantined, we all witnessed the same horrific murder of George Floyd, and there was nothing else to distract us from finally directly addressing issues related to race in this country. Many employees of color, and particularly Black employees, are no longer interested in making everyone else around them feel comfortable. Organizations that issued statements and initiatives in the spring will likely be held more accountable than ever before.
Another trend may be the elimination of jobs in their previous iteration. Many companies that have survived, or even thrived, during COVID likely did so by adapting. As such, these organizations may not return to their prior ways of doing business, which may require employees and applicants to increase or highlight a different skill set.
Denise Lorenzetti
Director of Binghamton University's Fleishman Center for Career and Professional DevelopmentBinghamton University
Fleishman Center for Career and Professional Development
What skills stand out on Project Director resumes?
Denise Lorenzetti: Employers have been placing a large emphasis on finding candidates with skills that demonstrate the ability to utilize technology and demonstrate adaptability, resilience and taking initiative.
Tech skills such as programming, coding, and Excel continue to be valuable to employers for both tech and non-tech roles.
Employers are also interested in learning how graduates spent their time during the pandemic. If internships were not an option, continuing to build skills through online classes such as LinkedIn Learning or Coursera, virtually volunteering, and demonstrating to employers a commitment to growing during the pandemic is critically important.
Job seekers can demonstrate this by earning microcredentials and digital badges relevant to the industry they are interested in or in areas they are passionate about.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Project Directors to find work opportunities?
Denise Lorenzetti: This will vary from industry to industry.
Many organizations have seen success with the transition of jobs to a virtual environment. It is uncertain how things will progress, however we anticipate there to be less of an emphasis on geographic region as a part of the job search than pre-pandemic. The pandemic has opened up opportunities for new graduates to find opportunities that traditionally were only available in large metropolitan areas such as Silicon Valley or NYC.
Many companies are still providing flexibility with working from home and/or not needing to be physically located in the city where the position resides. Some are work-from-home indefinitely and others are offering the flexibility to telecommute more than physically being in a location every day.
Large cities will likely continue to be a major hub for industries that will continue to require in-person jobs, such as healthcare roles.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Project Director job market given the pandemic?
Denise Lorenzetti: It is likely to see a continuation of remote job opportunities even after the pandemic is resolved. Many positions that have been successfully moved to remote options may in fact stay remote, depending on the employer.
The pandemic has increased the number of jobs available in specific industries and decreased the amount in others.
Industries and fields that have and will likely continue to grow include:
Supply chain/logistics and positions related to production, distribution, and selling of goods such as e-commerce
Technology and industries that help support businesses such as software, developers, artificial intelligence.
Healthcare
Biotechnology
The service industries were affected by the pandemic, making these positions harder to come by. This would include entertainment, travel, lodging, and full-service restaurants among others.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Project Directors?
Robert Mcnab Ph.D.: Graduates will enter a workplace that is dramatically different than a couple of years ago. Remote work, which once was frowned upon by many managers, has become commonplace for many organizations. It is likely that many graduates will do most of their interviewing on Zoom or similar software and some may start their jobs remotely. We should not expect remote interviewing to go away as it increases efficiency and effectiveness. Economics graduates are likely to be in demand given the numerous economic shocks from the pandemic. Understanding how to communicate economic concepts and apply tools and techniques is of increasing importance.
What type of skills will young Project Directors need?
Robert Mcnab Ph.D.: Young graduates must be able to effectively communicate as they enter the workforce. Analytical skills are continuing to increase in importance also and graduates who are unable or unwilling to develop these skills will quickly fall behind their peers. If you are unable to work with data and cannot communicate the results of your analysis, then your value to future employers is diminished. Graduates need to realize that they must continue to learn after graduation, not only to improve their existing skills but to adapt to the demands of a changing workplace.
What experience really stands out on Project Director resumes?
Robert Mcnab Ph.D.: Young graduates need to think about the job market in terms of signaling. How do you tell a prospective employer that you have a unique set of skills? Graduates often fail to understand that there are hundreds of applicants with similar traits competing for the same job, so you need a strong signal to the employer that separates you from the crowd. One such signal is practical experience. Have you been able to apply the concepts and tools from your college experience in the workplace? Did you seek out and find an internship, externship, or other type of formative experience that shows initiative, responsibility, and the acquisition of experience? If you don't have a strong signal, then you need to develop a plan. Find more experience economists in your area, ask questions, and develop a network. Figure out what you can do to separate yourself. It may sound like a cliche, but you need to market yourself.
Mark Paquette
Principal Program CoordinatorUniversity of Colorado Colorado Springs
College of Business
What skills stand out on Project Director resumes?
Mark Paquette: Many skills standout on resumes, but I believe these are the four best: technical skills, leadership skills, problem-solving skills, and communication-specifically the ability to be concise and accurate. I think a better way to think about this is that relevant information is what stands out. Many resumes are packed full of irrelevant details, subjective statements of soft skill, and lack quantifiable bullets that show skill or accomplishment for the role to which one is applying. Recruiters lose interest in irrelevancy, and they do so quickly (average amount of time a recruiter spends on a resume is just 6 seconds).
Additionally, I've seen hundreds of resumes full of errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and even the individual's own name, yet they also claim to have "excellent communication skills" or be "detail-oriented"-so there is a disconnect. Candidates who tailor their resumes to the job, ensuring their experiences and education showcase relevancy to such position, and who do so with accuracy, demonstrate the best skill of all-that they are qualified for, and understand, the position at hand.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Project Director job market given the pandemic?
Mark Paquette: The pandemic has caused employers to assess their work capabilities and shift positions to virtual environments. As a result, I think the trends we will see are:
-An increase and shift to permanent or long-term work-from-home opportunities. Many companies are recognizing that the shift to working remotely may actually improve morale, efficiency, quality, and job satisfaction among staff. Additionally, companies are seeing financial savings with reduced need in utilities, ancillary, and auxiliary services. As a result, I believe employers will be looking at their structures and making decisions to increase remote work opportunities, which also allows the employers to access a broader talent pool outside of their regional areas.
-A demand in flexible work arrangements from employees and candidates. As companies see the benefits of remote work, so do the employees and those searching for work. Individuals are seeing benefits of commuting less, having greater flexibility with time, and the ability to have more independence. I would suspect we will see individuals asking for more flexible arrangements, including the option to work from home at least part of the time. Prior to COVID, candidates were already asking for options that allowed for, at least in part, some remote work arrangements, and with COVID, this will likely be magnified.
-Contract workers may experience more opportunities. As businesses grapple with the impacts of COVID, many are also seeing the need to have more control of time-sensitive changes that impact their business. When lockdowns and limitations are imposed on the number of people allowed in spaces, the need to have a workforce that can pivot quickly is becoming more essential. I think this will lead to more contract, or contingent, type work rather than full-time employment as it allows the employer greater flexibility.
-Expanded benefits may also be a trend, especially around mental health support services. The pandemic has forced many people to feel isolated, not in control, and questioning their value. To combat this, I anticipate employers will focus on promoting their health and wellness programs as benefits, and helping job seekers see the value in a company that has a well-rounded benefits package versus just a standard health plan or limited paid time off.
-Social distancing may be the norm for some time. As the vaccine rollout is underway, there are many months ahead of us for true results, and even then, questions linger on how many people may choose not to be vaccinated, or how many new strains there will be for which the vaccine may or may not work. This will impact business operations, and companies (and governments) may impose requirements for job seekers such as wearing personal protective equipment during the interview and onboarding process or as a standard operating practice throughout the year.
-Virtual interviewing is likely a big trend over 2021, whereby companies will focus on phone and video interviewing rather than in-person opportunities. Many individuals may onboard virtually as well. Virtual interviewing was on the rise prior to COVID, but the need was magnified. As a result candidates may also need to be adaptable to using various types of platforms and more products are coming to market, and existing products are enhancing their service options.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Project Directors to find work opportunities?
Mark Paquette: There are so many places to find opportunities in marketing that it is difficult to pinpoint specific places or sites. Of course LinkedIn, Indeed, and Handshake (if one's school subscribes) are great resources, but depending on the marketing focus and overall experience, one may find benefit in sites such as MarketingJobs.com or Krop. I would also encourage individuals to look at the professional associations relevant to their field. For example, the American Marketing Association has a job board dedicated to marketing roles. Finally, the best source for finding opportunities is by networking. Identify companies of interest, reach out to individuals you know with connections or use LinkedIn to source potential options. Networking is the best way to find opportunities that perhaps haven't yet, or never will be, posted online.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Project Director job market given the pandemic?
Joseph Snider: For IT, managing a virtual team in a pandemic where everyone is working remotely is a big trend that will likely last after the pandemic is over. Corporations are now renting out building space or selling them since they have found that their workers can be successful at home.
What skills stand out on Project Director resumes?
Joseph Snider: Experience, certifications, and degrees. Some are must-haves, and some are nice-to-have.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Project Directors to find work opportunities?
Joseph Snider: There are many opportunities in the South right now. With major tech companies moving to Texas, that is now going to be a hot spot.