Businesses of all kinds employ Project Managers to implement systems and processes that help the broader organization reach its goals. Their duties might look different from one company to the next, but the main purpose of the role is generally similar across industries. Whether in technology, construction, or any field in between, Project Managers guide their team through the planning, organization, and completion of important business initiatives.
There are different methodologies and frameworks used in project management such as Waterfall, Agile, Critical Chain Project Management (CCPM), and Kanban, among others. Some of these take a traditional linear approach, while others involve a more “divide and conquer” mentality with multiple steps being completed at once. A skilled Project Manager will be versed in several of these methodologies; that way, they can determine which is best for any given team or company.
Project management education alone would be valuable to many employers, but you might choose to take your training a step further by becoming certified. The Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) is often the first step as it is accessible to beginning and advanced Project Managers. A higher level of distinction comes with certifying as a Project Management Professional (PMP), but that exam also requires a bit more training and experience in the field.
Project Management Careers in Orange County
As you search for Orange County project management career opportunities, you’ll find that there are broad Product/Project Manager positions as well as specialized roles like IT, Construction, or Software Project Manager. In Orange County, several sectors could benefit from project management skills. Numerous well-known tech companies have a large presence in the area such as Blizzard, Western Digital, and Toshiba. Project Managers are necessary in tech because they facilitate development while also taking the needs of other teams and stakeholders into account.
Another local field that would benefit from project management training includes Professional and Business Services, an industry cluster that includes architecture, construction, and healthcare. Regardless of what sector you end up in, the annual salaries for project management careers in Orange County are higher than the local average at $95,000 to $120,000. However, keep in mind that the top end of the range generally goes to Project Managers who have obtained a CAPM or PMP certification; you’ll eventually need to become certified to achieve the highest level of growth potential.
In-Person Project Management Classes in Orange County
Sabio, Sonic Training, UC Irvine, and New Horizons are currently offering in-person project management courses in the greater Orange County area. There are a few classes at ONLC as well, though these are technically taught remotely with optional computer lab access. You’ll find a diverse mix of class types and lengths, from quick workshops over 1-2 days to a longer 18-week bootcamp.
Which class you choose will depend on what you are looking to accomplish. The 40-hour or 18-week immersive classes at UCI and Sabio would be perfect for beginners in the market for a foundational introduction to the field. The other venues offer shorter courses, some specialized in subjects like Microsoft Project, change management, and exam preparation for the PMP certification.
Virtual Project Management Classes
Southern California, including Orange County, is a high-traffic area. You might be looking at a congested commute, particularly if your classes are held around rush hour. One way around this would be to pursue virtual courses, which offer equal benefits to in-person training when it comes to the level of expert instruction, project-based training, and real-time feedback.
Within Noble Desktop’s course catalog, you’ll find a wide selection of live online project management classes to fit your general training and exam prep needs. You might start with Project Management Level I if you are looking for an introduction to the field, while experienced PMs would benefit from the PMP Certification Bootcamp to get ready for the big test. Both of these courses are available through Noble’s affiliate provider, NYIM Training.
Additionally, NYC Career Centers offers live online project management classes which include both broad training in the field as well as specified education such as Microsoft Project classes. You’ll also find virtual project management courses from NYIM Training, with a Project Management Bootcamp to jump-start your education if you are preparing for a career as a Project Manager.
Corporate & Onsite Project Management Classes
Project management expertise has value in almost any industry you can think of because the field revolves around meeting common business goals, which most companies have. These goals can include initiatives of all shapes and sizes such as product launches, building/construction projects, marketing campaigns, communication plans, office openings or closures, and any other instance that requires several employees or teams to work together.
Could your company improve its efficiency through project management education? Noble Desktop’s corporate project management training, available onsite or virtually, can help. If you do not currently have a Project Manager but would like to designate one, you could send a promising employee to introductory classes to see if the role would be a good fit. Otherwise, training would also be great for your existing Project Managers, particularly if you want them to stay updated on current methodologies or prepare for a certification like the CAPM or PMP. To learn more, reach out to hello@nobledesktop.com for a commitment-free consultation.