Whether you're a skilled leader or just learning about project careers, find tools to help you advance.
New here? Scroll to learn more about project management and PMI. Or, go directly to recommended career tools and content by experience level.
What is Project Management?
Great ideas don't make themselves. It starts with projects—temporary efforts to achieve a goal. Projects are initiatives to drive change, and project management is the skillset that leads project success.
More relevant than ever
Organizations center on project work when they need to evolve and execute new ideas, instead of routine operations. That's why today — due to technological advances, globalization, and disruption — people are working in projects more than ever before, and demand for project managers is high.
A leadership role
Project teams are made up of all types of professionals, but all projects need leadership to take them from start to finish. Project managers are the people who work to ensure that a project team meets its objectives. They have not only the mindset to make a difference, but the skillset to actually do so.
Vision + execution
Strong project managers are visionary, analytical, organized and driven. They combine business acumen, people skills, and knowledge of different ways of working to create a project plan, keep teams on-task and on-budget, communicate updates and navigate roadblocks. They make sure any initiative meets its goals.
Transferable to any industry
The world runs on projects — and we use them in every part of our lives. For this reason, project management opens enormous career possibilities. It's a set of capabilities that applies across all professions, from technology to transportation, energy to the environment, sales to social impact, and so much more.
new project leaders are needed globally by 2030.
About Project Management Institute (PMI)
As the world’s leading authority on project management, PMI empowers people to make ideas a reality. We serve the roughly 3 million project management professionals working in just about every country and help set the standards for the entire profession by providing certifications, community, education, research and advocacy.
PMI is built around the passion and purpose of thousands of volunteers, who shape our standards and care deeply about helping others succeed. We drive our work out of hundreds of local chapters to foster community. Regardless of industry, geography, or profession, we're committed to connecting early-career individuals with the skills, community, and opportunities they need to thrive in today's economy and create a better world.
Build Skills
Develop your abilities on-demand with online courses and thought leadership. Boost your resume with LinkedIn badges or certifications.
Explore opportunities
Get guidance from over 650,000 peers and mentors and learn more about project leadership careers across the globe.
Take action
Prove your capabilities, show leadership, and drive real-world impact through volunteering, global events and local chapters.Exploring projects? Get inspired by this month's features.
Oceanix Busan | Selected For PMI Most Influential Projects 2022
Oceanix Busan | PMI's 2022 Most Influential Projects | #MIP2022
Oceanix Busan was founded in 2018 to design and build floating infrastructure for people to live sustainably on the ocean. The goal? To be, from an energy, water, waste, and food perspective, 100% sustainable—and as a result, offer solutions to challenges caused by the global climate and housing crises.
The next generation of leaders has arrived.
Some people hope for change — others go out and drive it.
Meet PMI's Future 50, the newest set of next gen leaders who dare to push ahead with bold initiatives.
They don’t brace themselves for what tomorrow may bring. They envision the future they want and build it. Fearlessly.
Career Resource Library
Whether you're a project professional, rising entrepreneur, or just discovering project careers, PMI's early career resources can help you accelerate your progress, gain credibility with employers, and prepare you to drive change. Browse them by experience level.
Project Beginners | Discover Project Management
Discover Projects That Are Changing The World We Live In — And The People Who Drive Them
PMI's 2022 Most Influential Projects celebrates the projects and project leaders pushing innovation forward to drive societal change today. From space telescopes to vegan sushi, find out how 2022’s top project entrepreneurs are making an outsized impact and driving positive change across the globe.
What Could You Earn As A Project Professional?
Students across the globe are taking the reins and stepping up to make an impact through project leadership. Thinking about how a project career could fit into your plans? Calculate your potential salary using our interactive tool, and check out what the average leader makes near you in PMI’s salary report.
These Projects Made Our World Stronger. You Can, Too.
Poverty, education, climate change—today's big problems require big solutions. If you're like most future leaders, you're looking to build skills that turn your ambition into impact. Find out how innovators across the globe are leading projects that tackle today's hardest challenges.
Article | Is Project Management the Right Career for You?
Curious about project management as a career option? What does this job entail? Is it for you? Experts with 20+ years experience answer questions you might have before deciding, including what project managers really do, skills needed, and opportunities.
Listen to the Projectified® Podcast
Looking to learn more about project management topics? Check out Projectified®, a lively, forward-looking series of conversations about hot topics and emerging trends impacting the world of project managers, from digital transformation to artificial intelligence to career development.
Test Your Project Skills
Our world revolves around projects — and you manage them every day at home, at school and in your daily life. Prove your skills with Kickoff™, a free online course from PMI that teaches you the basics of project management in just 45 minutes. Take it now to earn a LinkedIn badge.
Career Starters | Activate Your Passion
Thinking About Studying Project Management?
Are you pursuing or considering a degree in project management? Get the most out of your education. Learn more about project management courses, find a list of universities, and discover the benefits of attending a globally accredited degree program on the Global Accreditation Center (GAC) website.
Smart Start: 6 Tips To Launch A Project Management Career
So you want to be a project manager? The good news is that you don't have to have “project” in your title or work at a project-centric organization to gain experience. Here are six ways aspiring project managers can develop relevant skills, launch their career, and chart their own path.
Free Career Navigator
2.3 million — that’s how many new project leaders the world needs every year until 2030, according to the PMI Talent Gap report. See an opportunity? Time to get involved. Use Career Navigator (it’s free!) to get actionable next steps to build your skills and boost your project career.
Digital Academic Resource Library
This interactive digital flyer is made with you in mind! It helps project management students and professors find resources offered by PMI. Browse the virtual library and get information on funding opportunities, learning tools, certifications, and awards.
Give Back with PMI
As project leaders, protecting our planet and improving lives around the world is more than just a passion — it's a responsibility. Join a community of thousands of project professionals across the globe volunteering for the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Virtual Event | Join us at PMXPO (it's free!)
Looking to learn about how project management can help you make an impact and meet your career goals? Want to connect with a global career network? Join us 3/23 to hear our expert speakers on how to prepare for the future of work and make a difference in your career.
Ready for a career that drives change? Prepare with PMI.
Interested in project leadership? Build the skills, recognition, and network you need to make an impact. Join our community to get the courses, tools and certifications you need to magnify your abilities and the network to connect your ambition to action:
- A global professional network of over 650,000, including peers, advocates, and mentors
- Exclusive access to PMI's global industry job board
- Thousands of tools, templates and resources on ProjectManagement.com
- Free and discounted courses and certifications to advance your career
- …and much more!
Student membership costs just $32 a year. (Your university might offer it for free—ask your advisor!)
Current Project Leaders | Accelerate Your Career
PMI Professional Learning Hub
Advancing your career and professional development requires time and effort. PMI's Learning Hub gives you the tools, resources and programs to keep you in the know in today’s ever-changing world. View additional materials, like webinars and games, at ProjectManagement.com.
PMI Thesis Grants: Get Awarded Up To $25,000
Doing project management research? PMI is empowering leaders who build the future of the profession. Get awarded a grant of up to US $25,000 for research that advances ideas in the field of project, program and/or portfolio management. Apply in March when programs open.
Awards and Scholarships
PMI invests in rising leaders by funding scholarships for undergraduate and graduate study in project management or project management-related fields of study, as well as recognizing individuals and published works that are advancing project management with awards.
PMI Certification Framework
Looking for the next step in your career? With requirements for each phase of your professional development, PMI certifications show employers that you have the practical knowledge, insights, and professional expertise to meet project demands. See which one is the best fit.
Join The Pros Turning Blueprints Into Bridges And Wireframes Into Creations
The world needs project leaders — and project leaders need a global community. PMI student members get access to tools, courses and a global professional network. The best part? Join one of our 300+ local chapters to attend meetings, collaborate on ideas, get mentored and give back.
Prove Your Skills To Employers
You know you’re ready to turn big ideas into impact— it’s time for your résumé to show it. Passing the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® certification exam proves your credibility and helps you stand out to employers. PMI student members get discounts on the CAPM® and other courses and certifications. Get certified and join our community today.