The following is based on experience in the Regeneration/Development industry but can be broadly applied to project management across all sectors.
1. A project manager (PM) does not need to, and cannot, know everything. The phrase that probably most aptly covers this is 'Jack of all trades, master of none', referring to a generalist rather than a specialist who is versatile and adept at many things. A PM also knows (or learns) what and when to delegate.
2. There are several routes into project management, one is not necessarily better than the other. What sustains a career is a reputation for successfully delivering projects - no one will care how you got there if you're good at what you do.
3. Every project is different so whilst developing experience helps, a PM cannot control or predict every eventuality. It's about the mitigation put in place for the known risks and how you respond to the unknown risks as they develop.
4. Most people have been responsible for a project at some point or the other and used tools to deliver it. All relevant experience if wanting to start out in project management, arguably the main differences are scale and complexity and level of budget responsibility.
5. Project management is not always 'sexy', depending on the industry it will involve a high degree of administration...but the end result, and salary, is usually rewarding.
6. Project management is often stressful so you have to be thick-skinned; the PM shares the success of a project with their team but is accountable for failure of the project.
7. Managing a team and stakeholders for the duration of a project can be challenging and it is unlikely that you will be able to fully meet everyone's wants and desires...
8. ...A PM should remember that they need to be respected, not necessarily liked. Noted that the two do not have to be mutually exclusive.
9. Not every project should or can be delivered. Whilst it is often the role of the project sponsor to take this decision, it is the project manager's role to ensure the sponsor is aware of the issues, risks, propose solutions as applicable and provide recommendation(s).
10. A PM has to have a certain level of confidence to attain and maintain the trust of the project sponsor, obtain stakeholder buy-in and lead a team. This is not to be conflated with the person who talks or is seen the most. There are different types of effective leadership styles.
11. Rarely is being a PM a job that can be completed within the contracted hours; this will depend largely on the number and complexities of the projects you have been tasked to deliver.
12. A PM's role may entail making decisions or carrying out actions that may go against your core values. If this situation occurs you have a more important choice to make.
A Tip:
Think about Project management in the context of spinning several plates, of various sizes, any one them that falls will impact the project. The key is understanding the critical path plates.
Information about starting out in Project Management can be found here: https://www.paymoapp.com/blog/the-complete-project-manager-guide/
Article caveat: Kingston Professionals is not endorsing or recommending any specific courses or products referred to in this article.