careers

Some interesting statistics form the recent “PMI Job Growth and Talent Gap” report:

• By 2027, employers will need 87.7 million individuals working in project management oriented roles.
• The talent gap could result in a potential loss of some US$207.9 billion in GDP through 2027 for the 11 countries analyzed.
• Anderson Economic Group (AEG) and PMI analyzed project-oriented employment opportunity in 11 countries on five continents that represent developed and/or growing economic powers. Project-related job growth is expected to be 33 percent collectively (see Figure 1).

Figure 1

• GDP contributions from project-oriented industries forecast for 2027: US$20.2 trillion.
• GDP at risk due to the project management talent shortage: US$208 billion.
• PMI’s original projections in 2008: 52.4 million PM jobs worldwide by 2020.
• PMI’s actual estimate of worldwide PM jobs in 2017: 65.9 million jobs.
• On an annualized basis, employers will need to fill nearly 2.2 million new project-oriented roles each year through 2027.
• In the U.S. in 2017, wages of project management-oriented workers in projectized industries were far higher on average than wages of non-project-oriented professionals—a premium of 82 percent.

So, if you ever wondered whether to consider project management as your next profession, the time to make the decision is now! Oh, and check out my new online learning platform that can help you to become a project manager, business analyst or a portfolio management expert.

I recently had a very interesting conversation with my much younger colleague. He is also in the project management field but has only five or seven years of experience in our domain. Bob (let us call him that) had his first interview for a PM position at one of the local government organizations. He has been subsequently shortlisted for the second round of interviews and called me up to get some advice.

Bob: (enthusiastically) Jamal, this company is great! I really hope I land a job there!

Me: (apprehensively) And what is so great about it?

Bob: (even more enthusiastically) Listen, they told me a story how they had a problem project that had all kinds of missed deadlines …

Me: (skeptically) And?

Bob: You wouldn’t believe hat happened! One of their vice presidents drove to the construction site and helped unload the trucks. He stayed there for five days straight to assist the workers!

Me: (to myself) Oh, dear God, please take me now! (aloud) Did you ask them WHAT they did wrong to end up in a situation like this?

Bob: (somewhat confused) Oh, yes … it had something to do with improperly calculated lead times … But, as they have indicated, that was not the point of the story! It is the “just roll up your sleeves and work hard” attitude!

Me: (sarcastically) You want my advice, Lord Commander?

Bob: (smiling) Yes!

Me: (using Darth Vader’s voice) Run! Run for your life!!!

So here is my question:

Do you think I gave this young man the right advice?

Please leave your comments below.