Project Management Careers: Opportunities for Graduates in Ghana

Pursuing a career in project management can be very promising. In fact, there is a wide range of job opportunities once you complete your studies at university. Career opportunities abound both in the private and public sector of the economy. A career in project management can lead you to prolific job opportunities.

If you have a natural flair of being in charge of scheme, resources and people motivates you, and you can work under pressure to tight deadlines, a career as a project manager in Ghana may suit you.

As a project manager, you’ll need to keep track of completed works, set deadlines and delegate tasks to your project team, identifying any potential risks. Ultimately, you’re responsible for completing the project work in line with the plan and will often report progress to senior managers.

What is Project Management?

Project management is the process of defining, planning, organizing, leading and controlling the development of an information system. Its main objective is to deliver an information system that is acceptable to users and is developed on time and within budget.

A project is a temporary endeavor designed to produce a unique product, service or result with a defined beginning and end (usually time-constrained, and often constrained by funding or staffing) undertaken to meet unique goals and objectives, typically to bring about beneficial change or added value.

A project manager could also be known as:

• Assistant project manager
• Business change manager
• Junior/senior project manager
• Project coordinator
• Project officer.

Industries Where a Project Manager Can Work in Ghana

As a project manager, you can work across a variety of sectors such as:

• Construction
• Engineering
• IT
• Marketing
• Architecture
• Retail
• Manufacturing

Responsibilities of a Project Manager

As a project manager, you will need to:

• Follow a standard process in project initiation.
• Initiate the project – check feasibility and work out budgets, teams and resources
• Carry out planning – this will include setting goals and objectives, defining roles and producing schedules and timelines for tasks – in accordance with the needs of your client. Some tools, such as Gantt charts, can be used to create a visual project plan
• Select, lead and motivate your project team from both internal and external stakeholder organisations
• Manage the project – which includes coordinating the project team to keep them on track and keeping the project on budget
• Carry out monitoring and control activities in order to track the progress of the project
• Identify and manage risks to ensure delivery is on time
• Implement any necessary changes throughout the process
• Report regularly to management and the client
• Close the project – including evaluating successes and challenges to enhance learning for your next project.

Qualifications to Become a Project Manager

You can get into project management with a degree in any subject. However, studying towards a foundation degree, HND or degree in business or project management will provide practical knowledge about the commercial aspects of projects.

As a new graduate you’re unlikely to go straight into project management. Some graduate schemes may start you off in a junior or assistant project manager position, with the opportunity to progress to management as you develop experience.

In some sectors, such as IT and engineering, your subject knowledge will be more important than a business or project management degree. You can move into project management from technical roles after gaining experience in a project team or in a supporting administrative role.

Work Experience with Project Management Jobs

Work experience in managing resources, costs and people will help you to get into project management. Look for opportunities in supporting roles, such as administrator, coordinator and scheduling positions. From a supporting role, it’s possible to undertake professional qualifications to progress into management.

Extracurricular clubs and societies, including the international organisation Enactus, can help to develop your project skills. Technical work placements will develop your sector knowledge and skills, increasing your credibility as a project manager.

You can join a professional body as a student member. This can provide you with opportunities to network with other professionals, keep your skills up to date through training, events, news and publications and point you towards job opportunities.

Skills to Include in Your CV for Project Management Jobs

During your degree, you develop specific skills that employers look for including analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills. Besides, you can also learn some other skills like:

• Excellent organisation skills, to plan the use of people and resources to meet deadlines
• Strong interpersonal skills, to motivate and lead your project team
• Ability to monitor and control budgets
• Good communication and negotiation skills, to manage expectations
• Ability to use your initiative and make decisions under pressure
• Technical knowledge related to the project may also be required.

Universities in Ghana Where You Can Study Project Management

• Wisconsin International University College, Ghana
• Institute for Professional and Executive Development
• Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration- GIMPA
• Entrepreneurship Institute of Training
• Kumasi Technical University
• University of Ghana.