Life is all about problem-solving, time management, and efficiency. Professional success is often found for those who understand how to manage the nuances and functions surrounding these issues.
Enter: the project manager.
Navigating the Landscape of Time Management
Many companies across many different industries incorporate project managers into their day-to-day operations and business models. They need a jack of all trades—someone who can analyze a problem, effectively strategize how to solve it, skillfully manage a team to execute the plan, and communicate efficiently to all players involved. “Project management is a pretty broad field. It deals primarily with being able to identify a set of requirements that various stakeholders in the company might have, then being able to take those requirements and build a program or project to address or solve those requirements,” said Amberton Business Associate Faculty Dr. Blair Stephenson.The Role of Project Managers
When you’re deciding where you want to pursue a degree in project management, keep in mind the importance of practical application. You need to be able to prove you have the capacity to achieve, as much as you have the knowledge and academic understanding of it. Your technical skills are equally important as your cognitive abilities.Practical Application
“Amberton has such a focus on being practical in the delivery and the content of the courses that we try to provide. As you move through the courses, you don’t really have to wait until you have the degree to gain value from what you’re studying,” Dr. Stephenson said.Flexibility Beyond Graduation
A Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Project Management does provide you with some degree of flexibility. Basic principles and applications can be adapted across many industries. Don’t be afraid of being pigeonholed after graduation. Take the experiences and testimonies from your instructors and peers, and modify them to your own needs and success. Check out what Amberton’s professors have to say about the Project Management degree program here. If you think Amberton’s BBA in Project Management could be the right fit for you, contact our advisors at advisors@amberton.edu or by phone at 972.279.6511 now!My Personal Wake-Up Call
During the early days of the pandemic quarantine, like many of you, I found myself confined to my home. At first, it seemed like a welcome break from the daily commute and office hustle. However, it didn't take long for me to realize how stressed I truly was prior to the worldwide call to hunker down to reduce the spread of COVID-19. For years prior, I had been keeping a fast pace of meeting deadlines, networking, and working on my professional goals. Because this was my norm, I hadn't noticed how my anxiety had silently crept in, subtly affecting my well-being (poor sleeping habits, weight gain, and minimal quiet time). It wasn't until I was forced into a slower pace of life that I recognized the toll it had taken on me.The Anxiety Awakening
As the weeks turned into months, I found myself grappling with heightened anxiety levels as a frontline worker supporting employees, clients, and community members through the emotional and cognitive challenges that accompanied the pandemic. It was a relentless battle, and my body was sending unmistakable signals. My sleep was disrupted, my heart raced, I persistently gained weight, and I couldn't shake the constant feeling of unease. It took nearly six weeks of gardening and small DIY projects around the house to finally bring my cortisol levels under control. It was during this period of going through the same crisis that my clients were experiencing that I realized we all need to take a closer look at just how overpowering stress and anxiety can be even when think we are “handling it.”Prioritizing Mental Health for Professional Success
My experience taught me a valuable lesson: stress and anxiety can manifest silently, impacting our personal and professional lives. As a clinician, I can't stress enough the importance of prioritizing mental health. It's not a sign of weakness; it's a fundamental component of our well-being. Just as we tend to other areas of our healthcare; physical, dental, and vision, we need to tend to our emotional and cognitive well-being. In order to effectively manage workplace stress and anxiety, it's essential to begin with self-awareness and recognition. This involves paying close attention to both the physical and emotional signs that indicate stress and anxiety might be taking hold. These signs can vary from person to person but often include symptoms like muscle tension, an increased heart rate, irritability, or difficulty concentrating. By recognizing these signals within yourself, you can take proactive steps to address them. If you are unable to reasonably regulate your stress response with these techniques, seek out professional help through your employee benefits program, community resources, or private practitioners.- Regular Breaks
- Schedule short breaks throughout your workday
- Mindfulness and Meditation
- Time Management
- Healthy Lifestyle Choices
- Social Support
- Effective Communication
- Time Off and Vacation
- Set Realistic Expectations