Becoming a project assistant is a great way to get into Project Management. The Project management sector is a huge employer and there are a great many contract roles available for experienced Project Managers. As an assistant you will be responsible for providing administrative support to directors and project managers to help ensure the project is completed in a timely and satisfactory manner. Tasks will often include things like creating reports, proofreading documents, conducting research, and collecting data. Although starting salaries for a project assistant aren’t huge, the position allows you to get valuable experience in the sector of your choice and once you become a project manager, the earnings are potentially lucrative. Project managers only tend to be contracted for the duration of a particular project. Therefore due to the risk factor involved with sort term contracts, they are able to command extremely high salaries.
How To Become A Project Assistant
What skills/experience do you need?
A project assistant is an entry level job so you don’t necessarily need to have a degree in order to obtain a position, however you will need to show you have the skills and experience necessary to do the job. A good project assistant should have excellent people and written communication skills as well as being able to demonstrate proficiency in computer programs such as Word and Excel. They should also be highly organized and able to work under pressure in order to meet deadlines/targets.
One thing to be aware of is that the entry level criteria for a project assistant can vary depending on the industry you’re in. Nearly every job sector needs project assistants, whether you’re in HR, Marketing, Planning, Construction etc, and they will all have their own sets of criteria you’ll need to meet. In order to be successful in your application, you will need to be able to demonstrate you have the right skills and experience required to work in that particular field. Find out about Project Assistant Courses in London here.
What qualifications do you need?
As discussed already, the qualifications you will need could vary from one industry to another, however there are specialist courses available for people looking to become qualified specifically as a project assistant. Project Assistant Diplomas/courses are widely available and can be studied in a condensed two day format. The best courses are those that have been accredited by the CPD (Continuing Professional Development) institute, as these are recognized internationally as being high quality professional training programs.
If you wish to become a project manager then you will need to study either a PRINCE2 or AGILE qualification. These are the two most proven methods of project management. PRINCE stands for projects in controlled environments and courses teach you how to utilize the PRINCE method of of project management. AGILE qualifications teach you how to run and manage an AGILE method of project management.
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