How to Become a Project Manager after 12th: Career, Courses, Eligibility, Top Colleges, Skills, Benefits, Salary

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Ahana Bhaduri

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Project Managers in India are professionals responsible for planning, executing, and overseeing projects to achieve specific goals within constraints. They lead teams, allocate resources, manage timelines, and budgets, and ensure successful project delivery.

Candidates who aspire to be project managers can study courses like BMS, BBA, MBA, PGDM, or PMP certification. The utmost time required to become a project manager after 12th is 4 to 4.5 years. Candidates who choose to pursue MBA need to clear entrance exams like CAT, MAT, or CMAT to get admission into top management colleges in India.

A Project Manager with an experience of 2 to 5 years has the potential to earn between INR 4 and INR 6 LPA. However, this increases gradually as you gain exposure to and expertise in the field and can earn more than INR 18 LPA. Also Check: Project Manager Salary

How to Become a Project Manager after 12th: Quick Facts

Eligibility Class 12, Project Management certification
Qualifications A degree in Project management
Starting Salary (INR) INR 4 LPA
Average Salary (INR) INR 5-6 LPA
Highest Salary (INR) INR 15 LPA

Eligibility to become a Project Manager after 12th

Becoming a Project Manager typically requires a higher level of education and relevant experience. Some of the general eligibility criteria required to become a Project Manager are given below.

  • Candidates must have successfully completed 10+2 from a recognized board.
  • Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree in any field, including architecture, planning, engineering, and technology.
  • The candidate must be in possession of well-recognized certifications such as Project Management Professional (PMP).
  • Candidate must have experience in entry-level roles in industries related to the chosen field of project management.

Steps to Become a Project Manager after 12th

Usually, a candidate needs to complete graduation, develop skills, pursue optional higher education, gain experience, earn certifications, showcase leadership, and build networks to become a Project Manager. Some general steps required to become a Project Manager are listed below.

  • Select a Degree or Certification that Is Relevant: Candidates need to enrol on a bachelor's degree program in a project management-related discipline, such as business administration, engineering, information technology, or another one or can choose from recognized project management credentials like the PMP (Project Management Professional) issued by the Project Management Institute (PMI).
  • Obtain Work Experience: Real-world experience is essential for becoming a project manager. Therefore, candidates can start off by taking on entry-level jobs in the sector of specialization. You will have a better understanding of project workflows and procedures by playing roles like project coordinator, team member, or assistant.
  • Networking: Candidates need to create a credible network inside the sector. This can be done by attending conferences, signing up for project management organizations, and networking with seasoned experts.

Project Management Courses after 12th

Project Management Courses after Class 12th offer a structured path to develop skills in planning, leadership, and organization, preparing individuals for successful careers in managing diverse projects effectively. Some of the courses required to become a Project Management are listed below.

Course Certificate in Project Management PG Diploma in Project Management MBA Project Management
Eligibility Class 12 Graduation Graduate with 50% marks
Basis of Admission Merit-based Merit-based CAT, MAT, CMAT, SNAP, XAT, ATMA, NMAT
Top Colleges IIT Delhi, IIM Calcutta, IIM Lucknow, etc. Symbiosis Institute of Management studies-Pune. National Institute of Industrial Engineering Mumbai, etc. Sikkim Manipal University, Institute of Management and Research, etc.
Course Fees INR 10,000 - INR 1,00,000 INR 10,000 - INR 1,00,000 Upto INR 10,00,000
Average Salary INR 2 - INR 10 LPA INR 3 - INR 5 LPA INR 4 - INR 20 LPA
Top Recruiters NDSC, Telford International, SGC India Private Limited, IBM BTO Business Consulting Services, etc. Reliance Industries Limited, HDFC Bank, Tata Consultancy Services, ITC ltd, ONGC, etc. Accenture, IBM, Hitachi, Telford International, Epsilon India, BG India, UnitedHealth Group, NDSC, etc.

Entrance Exams

Entrance exams required during admission into an MBA course are CAT, MAT, and CMAT. For other certification and diploma courses, no entrance exam is required. The details of the mentioned entrance exams are given below.
Name of the Exams Application Deadlines Exam Dates Result Declaration
CAT September 13, 2023, November 26, 2023, To be announced
MAT September 12, 2023, September 17, 2023, To be announced
CMAT March 13, 2023 May 4, 2023, Third week of May 2023

Top Project Management Colleges

There are many project management colleges and institutes in India. These distinguished institutions in India provide exceptional education in project management, equipping students with knowledge and skills to excel in their careers. Some of the top management colleges are listed below.

Skills Required to Become a Project Manager after 12th

The role of a Project Manager demands a blend of abilities like effective planning, communication, team leadership, and problem-solving in diverse project scenarios across industries in India. Some of the skills are mentioned below.
Communication skills Decision Making Conflict Resolution
Organization skills Team management Adaptability and flexibility
Time management Risk management Budgeting skills

Benefits of Becoming a Project Manager after 12th

Project Management career offers opportunities for leadership, diverse industry exposure, skill development, and lucrative growth prospects. Some of the benefits that a person can reap after becoming a Project Manager are listed below.

  • Learn on the Job: A lot of project management training comes from practical experience. This job helps in developing problem-solving and leadership abilities, which are highly valued in many sectors.
  • Job Advancement: This role helps in advancing to more senior roles over time, such as Senior Project Manager, Program Manager, or Director of Project Management.
  • Opportunities in a Variety of Industries: From IT and construction to healthcare and banking, project managers are required in practically every sector. This provides freedom to work in a field that most interests you.
  • Greater Earning Potential: Project managers often receive competitive pay, especially as they advance in experience and knowledge. Project management positions at a higher level may pay competitively.
  • Job Stability: Project managers are in high demand, and their positions are less susceptible to economic swings than certain other occupations.

Project Manager Salary

A project management job is a very responsible role which ensures the smooth functioning and completion of a project. Hence, Project managers earn a handsome salary based on their skills and experience. The salaries of a Project Manager are listed below.

Designations Average Annual Salary
0 - 1 year INR 2 L to INR 3 L
2 - 5 years INR 4 L to INR 6 L
6 - 10 years INR 8 L to INR 10 L
10 - 15 years INR 12 L to INR 14 L
15 - 20 years INR 16 L to INR 18 L
20 years and above INR 18 L & above

How to Become a Project Manager after 12th: FAQs

Ques. What is the most beneficial project management course?

Ans. According to employment chances and career prospects, an MBA in project management is the top project management education. Project managers, project analysts, general managers, and other managerial positions can all be obtained with an MBA in project management.

Ques. What are the top 3 essential qualities a project manager must possess?

Ans. You can become a project manager if you are strong at understanding people as well as convincing them. However, dedication and negotiable skills, communication and interpersonal skills, and managing disagreements while maintaining the team's unity are the 3 most important abilities required to succeed.

Ques. What distinguishes the MBA from the PGDM?

Ans. PGDM stands for postgraduate diploma in management, while MBA stands for master of business administration. PGDM is a diploma program, whereas an MBA is a degree program. As a result, only institutions affiliated with certain universities may provide MBA programs. On the other side, independent colleges also offer PGDM programs.

Ques. How valuable are Google Project Management certifications?

Ans. Students will be able to comprehend the practices and abilities necessary to advance in an entry-level project management career with the Google Project Management certification. Making a project plan, strategic communication, learning the principles of agile project management, and other skills and roles are among those that a student will acquire through the Google Project Management certification.

Ques. What can I learn in a course on project management?

Ans. Project management courses educate students on how to manage risks in business projects by equipping them with useful tools and approaches. You may learn about budgeting, time periods, and resource estimation in a solid project management course.

Ques. Which course should I do after the project management course?

Ans. There are continual courses available that teach new abilities in project management, which is a huge area. A project management course might be followed by another one or a PMP certification application. You can seek specialization in both classic plan-driven project management and agile project management.

Ques. What distinguishes BMS from BBA in project management?

Ans. BMS stands for Bachelor of management studies, whereas BBA stands for Bachelor of business administration. Management studies are covered in both BBA and BMS curricula. However, BMS concentrates on the actual application of these disciplines and logical approaches to them, whereas BBA places more emphasis on theoretical and fundamental areas.

Ques. What are the main tasks a project manager is responsible for?

Ans. The answer is that project managers are in charge of starting, planning, carrying out, controlling, and finishing projects. They define timetables, manage resources, oversee teams, and make ensuring that projects are completed on time and on budget.

Ques. Which professions typically use project managers?

Ans. There is a demand for project managers across a range of sectors, including marketing, IT, manufacturing, construction, healthcare, and finance.

Ques. Is project management a lucrative career in terms of pay and fulfilment at work?

Ans. Yes, project managers are often well paid, and job satisfaction comes from finishing projects effectively and seeing how their work affects the organization.

Post Graduate Diploma in Project Management : 20 answered questions

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Ques. Is it worthy to take admission for PGDPM at NITIE, Mumbai? What are the placement opportunities for it?

● Top Answer By Juhi Gill on 18 Aug 21

Ans. PGDPM program is for those students who want to make their career either in the business or technical field or in a new field of expertise and move into project management. This course is suitable for both students with or without work experience.  This course provides the necessary skills that blend with other management skills.  Its focus is to provide professional techniques to the students for executing projects and programs.  This course also provides the students with methodologies and systematic approaches, required for solving industry-related problems.  The placement opportunities available for this course are excellent as a lot of companies visit the campus for interviews.  Categories PGDPM at NITIE Mumbai Course Fee 12.53 lakhs Highest CTC 29 LPA Average CTC 16 LPA Recruiting Companies Deloitte, ICICI Bank, Aditya Birla, P&G, etc. The PGDPM graduates get many career opportunities from industries like Manufacturing, Oil & Gas, Construction, Utilities, Finance & Insurance, Information Services, and Business Services. Hence, PGDPM is a very good course to pursue, and the placement opportunities available in this field are really good. Read more
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Ques. What should be preference order of IMT Ghaziabad courses- PGDM, PGDM marketing, PGDM finance, PGDM DCP, PGDM banking, insurance and financial services?

● Top Answer By Dhruv Chatterjee on 25 Jan 23

Ans. IMT Ghaziabad offers a variety of courses that cater to various specializations. These courses have been listed and explained in their order of preference PGDM Marketing/PGDM Full Time (Marketing): This is the most coveted program among IMT students mainly because today its alumni have acquired top positions in big firms. Other major reasons include top-notch faculty, great internship and placement opportunities in terms of role and CTC, IMT’s eligibility, and excellent performances in recognized marketing and strategy B Schools competitions. PGDM Finance/PGDM Full Time (Finance): This one is most suitable for aspirants who are interested in Finance. However, this program offers lesser opportunities than the Marketing program in terms of role and CTC.  PGDM Full Time (Operations): This program offers opportunities similar to that of Finance. But the batch size of PGDM Operations is smaller than PGDM Finance, so it may be easier to secure an internship/final placement, but the opportunities come less compared to Finance. PGDM DCP: DCP or the Dual Country Program is for those who are keen to get international exposure. Compared to an MBA from a foreign university, this program is cheaper and yet offers an opportunity to explore a different culture and learn to make decisions in an international context. This is best suitable for those who are in the Marketing domain. PGDM Banking and Financial Services (PGDM-BFS): This program was launched in 2019 and is relatively newer. It targets the core Banking and Finance sector. While the MBA program aims to provide a holistic view of management, this program solely focuses on Banking and Finance. PGDM Full Time (HR): This is the least taken course and offers very less in terms of opportunities. The courses have been arranged preference-wise so will make it easy for you to choose one.Read more
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Ques. Which is the best among IMT G, SIOM, TAPMI, great LAKES, KJSOM and Fore school for operations MBA?

● Top Answer By Bidita Ghose on 16 May 23

Ans. Operations management MBA programs at these schools: IMT Ghaziabad: India's one of the oldest and most esteemed business schools. The institute's MBA in Operations Management covers production, planning, control, project management, and supply chain management. Symbiosis Institute of Operations Management, Nashik is a dedicated Operations Management institute. Supply chain management, logistics, distribution, and quality management are included in the institute's MBA in Operations Management. TAPMI Manipal, provides an MBA in Operations Management. Operations strategy, quality management, supply chain management, and operations research. Great Lakes Chennai offers an MBA in Operations Management. Supply chain, quality, and operations strategy. KJ Somaiya Mumbai provides an Operations Management MBA. Supply chain, logistics, and quality management. FORE School of Management provides an MBA in Operations Management. Operations strategy, quality management, supply chain management, and operations research are taught. Our ranking for these colleges would be IMT G SIOM FORE KJSOM TAPMI Reason for putting IMT-G on top stop. Alumni: 1980-founded. Over 9000 alumni—many CXOs and industry leaders. B-Schools benefit from STPs and insightful guest talks. Faculty: Top-notch nationwide. They guide you throughout the year, using case studies to teach marketing, HR, and other disciplines (P.S. Dr. S.R. Singhvi is the marketing god, and his classes are amazing!). New Director is also adding industrial expertise (Marketing, Finance, Operations, etc.) to the faculty. Your academic learning will always be outstanding. Students: The college accepts CAT/GMAT/XAT. The entrance exam cut-off wasn't announced until last year, but most students get 90/92%ile+. The profile, scores, and CT+GE+PI procedure determine the ultimate pick. Placements: Top HR, marketing, finance, and operations org. visit school for summer and final placements.  Institute excels in B-School competitions. Students have won several national and international contests, including Mahindra War Room, Deloitte Mavericks, RB Mavericks, HUL Carpe Diam, Reliance UltimatePitch, and Hult Prize. They have also won B-school competitions: IIM-Ahmedabad, IIM-Lucknow, MDI, IIM Raipur. Committees: The administration encourages student-led campus activities. They have committees for every activity, including IMTeamPRISM, MarkUp, RACE, ALCOM, SportsCom, CulCom, Finnacle, Finniche, Operations Committee, and 31 others.Read more
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Ques. Which programme is better in terms of placement amongst PGDPM and PGDMM at NITIE, Mumbai?

● Top Answer By Nitin Kumar on 16 Aug 21

Ans. These courses were first inaugurated in the year 2014, and ever since then, students undeniably acquired satisfactory placement offers.  The seats in NITIE Mumbai depend upon which category you belong to. The current seat availability is about 304, considering each course. This is one reason why both the courses are equally good to pursue.  Both PGDPM and PGDMM offer better results in terms of placements. Talking about the scope, it is almost the same for both the courses. The opportunity either course will bring is similar and has less to no difference at all.  Both the subjects will allow students to sit for summer internships, as will be brought in by different firms.  Also it will permit all of them to sit for the final placements likewise. The average salary offered for PGDPM is 12-15 LPA while for PGDMM, it is 11-12 LPA The only separate piece of information this has is that in PGDPM, students are preferred by recruiters if they come with a minimum work experience of about 2 to 3 years. Read more
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Ques. How good is PGDM with Oprations at IMT Ghaziabad or TAPMI?

● Top Answer By Shubham Arora on 27 Jan 23

Ans. My friends passed out from IMT Ghaziabad and said that your specialization does not really matter. What matters is the institute. She was in a dilemma about choosing IMT and TAPMI and later went for IMT Ghaziabad and is very proud of her decision. She thinks it has many advantages over TAPMI like IMT Ghaziabad has a better reputation and brand name than TAPMI Most recruiters consider IMT a top B School of the country and give it preference to TAPMI IMT does not instill unnecessary rigor and has a calm relaxed environment. It’s up to you to grab the necessary opportunities and climb the ladder The campus life is usually student driven so it helps in overall personality development The Operations faculty at IMT Ghaziabad is a notch above TAPMI All these points clearly show that IMT Ghaziabad is better than TAPMI.Read more
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Ques. What is advisable, to join the PGDMM/PGDPM at NITIE or get a job?

● Top Answer By Krishna Mehar on 20 Aug 21

Ans. It's a subjective question and mostly depends on your profile. PGDMM would be advantageous, if you are a fresher, especially with a mechanical or manufacturing background. It is better in terms of securing a good profile, a good package (Avg. 12 LPA), and robust manufacturing domain command. A few years of work experience would be preferable for the PGDPM course, but it is not required. It's a safe option to play for both freshmen and those with a little experience because it improves your profile, package, and adds the rich experience of a top MBA school - NITIE.Read more
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Ques. What are the placement prospects of doing an MBA in IM from SPJIMR?

● Top Answer By Aarzoo Shah on 02 Mar 23

Ans. The IM Major at SPJIMR, Mumbai provides a diverse range of career opportunities that are categorized into several different tracks. These include: General Management Roles - As the name implies, these roles are in the general management sector of companies and are open to all, regardless of specialization. Consulting Roles - Consulting roles are further divided into several sub-categories. Management consulting involves working with clients to solve their general business problems. Roles in Mergers and Acquisitions, Deal Value, and Technology Consulting, specifically in Technology Strategy, are available and open to all. There are also niche roles in procurement and supply chain consulting. Product Management Roles - Product management is one of the most in-demand roles for IM students. This field includes product management, technical product management, and program management, and is available in industries such as e-commerce, banking, and supply chain. Technical Sales/Pre-Sales - These roles combine sales and technical skills to sell technology products and/or services. Corporate IT Roles - Corporate IT roles are internal consulting roles within companies, especially in the FMCG sector, and focus on delivery management and project management. Project Management Roles - Some companies also offer roles in project management, making this a niche field.Read more
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Ques. In NITIE which program among PGDIE, PGDMM and PGDPM is best suitable for computer and IT related person?

● Top Answer By Sangita Roy on 26 Aug 21

Ans. Among the mentioned programs PGDMM and PGDPM are comparatively newer and provide some really good courses for students with computer and IT backgrounds. If you want to take the GATE exam and get into NITIE through PGDIE then in the 2nd year of your course you will get a wide range of electives available. Here are some of the electives.  Advanced IT for Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Business Process Integration and Management Computer Integrated Manufacturing Data Analysis and Decision Making Data Analytics Data Communications and Networking Data Mining for Business Intelligence Decision Support Systems and Expert Systems E commerce E customer Relationship Management ERP, etc.  Most of the courses here are Computer sector-related and related to the programming and software side whereas some of them are related to the IT sector and mainly deal with the hardware side.  But make a note that IE is not an M.Tech course. It is a management course. So, you will get placed in management roles post your degree. Read more
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Ques. Which one should I choose: MBA at IIT Kharagpur (operations) or IMT Ghaziabad (finance)?

● Top Answer By Akriti Banerjee on 06 Oct 23

Ans. IIT Kharagpur for operations would be better than IMT Ghaziabad (finance). As IMT Ghaziabad is more famous for its marketing course than finance. IIT Kharagpur is known for its operations management program and has a strong reputation as an institution of the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). A few key aspects of IIT Kharagpur are as follows: In 2023 IIT Kharagpur secured 14th rank among all top management schools in India. This does reflect its academic excellence, infrastructural abilities, faculty strength, and placement records.  The faculties are adequately skilled and helpful while imparting quality education. The hostel's amenities include triple and double sharing, as well as all the essentials. The food is of high quality, and you will have four meals. The admissions procedure includes signing up for the hostel. Accommodation in a hostel is required for all students. IIT Kharagpur placements 2023 have been concluded. IT Kgp highest package stood at INR 43.37 LPA whereas VGSOM IIT Kharagpur's average package stood at INR 22.13 LPA. So based on these aspects IIT Kharagpur is a better option for pursuing an MBA in operation management.Read more
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Ques. Is Goa Institute of Management good for a PGDM in operations?

● Top Answer By Subhashree Meher on 02 Mar 23

Ans. One of my friends is majoring in HR but has opted for numerous positions in IT Operations. According to her, the course is very well designed and is industry relevant. Speaking specifically about Operations, the electives under it are directly related to the industry such as Business Analysis Big Data Analytics (now a specialization in itself at GIM) Project Management Supply Chain Management  The pedagogy comprises a case-based approach with special emphasis on recent trends in each specialization. The faculty is very experienced and has had enough exposure to the corporate world. On average, around 30-40 students specialize in Operation every year at GIM. The most common roles offered to students who are specialized in Operations are Business Analyst Consultant Project Manager  So Goa Institute of Management is a very good option for PGDM in Operations.Read more
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