by Robert Gregg
Online Masters Degrees Programs Columnist

Project management is a soft skill, something that most employers have traditionally considered a value-added benefit in a technically skilled worker. With schools churning out armies of technically skilled graduates vying for the best careers, it’s important for jobseekers and people looking to climb the corporate ladder to develop soft skills in order to gain a competitive edge.

David Perry of Perry-Martel International, executive recruiting firm, puts it this way, “When you come out of school are you packaging yourself for the job market as a commodity or a value add? That’s a serious question—if 700 students come out of the same program and they all have similar work experience, what’s the differentiator? Your soft skills make the difference.” A master’s degree in project management can provide the soft skills to round out technical proficiency in your area of specialization and set you apart from the hungry hordes homing in on your dream career.

Barry Gander, author of Success, said “The things that students are missing out on when the certificates are handed out are lessons in soft skills that actually make a business person who they are. The technological skills are relatively easy to learn, but the soft skills are what make you a business leader. People don’t realize that soft skills are learnable.”

What Courses Are Included in a Project Management Master’s Degree?

Programs generally focus on topics such as how to develop projects and communicate their value; outline performance objectives; determine task, budget and resource requirements; provide effective leadership; and promote an environment that motivates team members and resolves conflicts. Some programs are part of an MBA, while others provide standalone degrees.

Advantages of an Online Degree

Most professionals can’t attend school full-time to get a master’s degree, and many don’t live close to a good school. If that sounds like you, an online program can provide an option to complete your training from almost anywhere. You can probably keep working in your present occupation. You might even be able to get your employer to pay part or all of the tuition costs for a degree, assuming you’re not trying to change careers.

Source

Ottawa Business Journal, The Hard Facts About Soft Skills

About the Author

Robert Gregg is a former public sector employee who writes about education issues.