I am a non-traditional student with a full time job as a project manager. I am currently working on my Bachelor’s degree and I’m having trouble selecting a concentration. I have 6 classes remaining before I graduate so I need to be sure of my path forward so I don’t waste time taking classes that I don’t need. My question is which concentration would benefit a project manager and why? I’ve narrowed my options to Management Information System, Business Analytics, Operation and Supply Management and Organization Management.
Anonymous
Choosing a concentration that aligns with your project management career is a great way to supercharge your skills. All of your options are great choices, and only you can choose what’s right for you and your goals. However, we can help by giving you a quick rundown on your options and the career benefits you’ll gain with each:
- Management Information Systems (MIS): Focuses on using tech and systems for organizational goals. It'll help you understand how tech can boost project management, like data analysis and decision-making support.
- Business Analytics: Uses data analysis for smart business choices. It'll help you make better decisions, spot trends affecting projects, and improve overall performance.
- Operations and Supply Management: Manages production and delivery of goods/services. It'll give you insight into project delivery processes like resource allocation and quality management.
- Organization Management: Focuses on how organizations work and leading/manage people. It'll boost your leadership, communication, and management skills, vital for project managers.
Another thing you could do is look up internships in each of these areas and see which skills are being sought after for these roles. That could give you a good idea of what skills you need to build and courses you should take. You also might want to talk to an advisor or pros in the field for extra insights.
Ultimately, each concentration offers unique benefits, and all of them would help hone your career in different ways. Think about what excites you most and what skills would amp up your current strengths for roles you want in the future. The choice is yours!
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