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. 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. 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. Would it be a risk to take a loan of 17 lacs for an Operations PGDM from SPJIMR if I have a job at a good company like Tata Steel?

● Top Answer By Advait Joshi on 09 May 23

Ans. Ultimately the decision is yours but below is a table showing the current fees (as of 2023, because it is not INR 17 Lakhs anymore), the highest salary package, the average salary package, and the median salary package. Particulars SPJIMR Stats PGDM Fees INR 20.42 Lakhs Highest Salary INR 77.8 LPA Average Salary INR 33.02 LPA Median Salary INR 32.89 LPA So, considering the RoI, it is really good, as it is a one-time investment of 20.42 Lakhs and you will be getting anything around 33 LPA (more than that as well) if you can keep yourself in the top 50 percent of the batch or placement numbers. Apart from that you can try for the sabbatical as well if you are not that confident and would love to work in TATA only as it assures of stability of the job. TATA recruits from SPJIMR as well so, don’t worry much and go for it if the opportunity is available.Read more
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Ques. Is NMIMS Mumbai famous for an MBA in operations?

● Top Answer By Advait Joshi on 06 May 23

Ans. MBA in Operations is not something that NMIMS is known for, but MBA is. Most MBA Core students choose either Marketing or Finance, so Operations has a small number of students. (This could be a good thing or a bad thing.) The case method is the main way that the School teaches. It uses real-world business situations that offer interesting possibilities in difficult situations. The focus here is on practical information and learning that fits each person's needs. It has a lot of intellectual capital in the form of professors who are well-known in their areas and work hard to make the school a dynamic place to learn. Aside from the classes, placements in the operations field are also pretty good, and companies offer operations management students a wide range of jobs.advRead more
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Ques. What are the companies that hire PGDM in operations management from TAPMI?

● Top Answer By Hitesh Takran on 27 Apr 23

Ans. The institute has a strong industry connection, and several leading companies recruit from TAPMI for their operations management roles. Some of the top companies that hire PGDM students in Operations Management from TAPMI include Amazon, Asian Paints, Cognizant, Deloitte, EY, Flipkart, HCL, Infosys, KPMG, L&T, Mahindra & Mahindra, PwC, Reliance, Tata Motors, and Wipro. These companies offer roles such as Operations Manager, Supply Chain Manager, Logistics Manager, Production Manager, Materials Manager, and more. The average salary package for PGDM students in Operations Management at TAPMI is around INR 9-10 lakhs per annum, while the highest salary package offered is around INR 16-17 lakhs per annum.Read more
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Ques. How is operations as a PGDM branch in BIMTECH Noida?

● Top Answer By Meghamollar Roychowdhury on 19 Apr 23

Ans. BIMTECH is a reputed B-school with a focus on experiential learning and industry interface. It has a strong alumni network and offers good placements to its students. BIMTECH is known for its focus on sustainability and social responsibility and has won several accolades for its initiatives in these areas. Placement of BIMTECH  Final Placement process for 367 students pursuing PGDM courses from the batch of 2021-23 to 100%. More than 92 organizations participated in the recruitment drive across sectors like Consultancy, Financial Services, FMCG/FMCD, Insurance, IT & ITeS, Marketing, Market Research, Manufacturing, Retail, and Automobiles among others. BFSI, IT & ITeS, and Consulting sectors, with 75 % of the total offers. Average of the Top 10% is 15.86 Lakh per Annum Average of the Top 25% is 14.31 Lakh per Annum Average of the Top 50% is 12.80 Lakh per Annum Even if operations is not BIMTECH as the core program, they still have superb faculty and a strong placement record in Operations. Read more
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Ques. How good is it to do PGDPM from NITIE for a fresher?

● Top Answer By Aditi Roy on 24 Mar 23

Ans. The course offered by the National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE) is designed to cater to the needs of both freshers and experienced professionals. The course curriculum is carefully crafted to provide a comprehensive understanding of the industrial engineering domain to students from diverse backgrounds. Whether you are a fresher who has just completed your undergraduate degree or an experienced professional looking to enhance your skills, NITIE's course can offer you valuable learning opportunities. The institution's faculty members are experts in their respective fields, and they bring a wealth of industry experience and academic knowledge to the classroom. As a fresher who is currently pursuing the course at NITIE, I can attest to the fact that the course offers excellent exposure and learning opportunities. The coursework is challenging yet rewarding, and the hands-on training and practical sessions have helped me gain a deeper understanding of industrial engineering concepts. One of the key advantages of the course is its emphasis on practical learning. The institution offers several industry-focused programs and projects, which help students apply the theoretical concepts they learn in the classroom to real-world scenarios. This practical approach helps students develop their problem-solving skills and prepares them for the challenges they may face in their future careers. In addition, NITIE has a vibrant student community, with several clubs and societies catering to a range of interests. The institution also hosts several cultural and technical events throughout the year, providing students with ample opportunities to showcase their skills and talents. Overall, NITIE's course in industrial engineering is a well-rounded and comprehensive program that can offer valuable learning opportunities to both freshers and experienced professionals. The institution's focus on practical learning, industry exposure, and student life makes it an attractive choice for those looking to pursue a career in the industrial engineering domain.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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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. 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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