Connor Klentschy, who works as a project manager at Starbucks, has noticed the company always has a demand for project managers but finding quality candidates is difficult because many lack the full range of skills needed. Klentschy (pictured at top) earned his master’s degree in Information Management (MSIM) in 2022 from the University of Washington.
While many programs equip project managers with skills like risk assessment, communications and leadership, Klentschy said there is a difference between what he learned at the UW and what he sees in many job candidates today.
“You can’t just raise issues. You have to know which risks are important and be able to explain that to executives,” Klentschy said. “I think the core skills of a project manager apply to any functions of management."
As Klentschy notes, the job market for those with project management expertise remains strong. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates a 6 percent increase in project manager jobs, outpacing the average job growth for all other occupations. Although short-term certifications can provide a foundation in project management, an MSIM helps both aspiring and experienced project managers strengthen and expand their leadership and analytical skills.
In today’s workplace, successful project managers not only oversee timelines; they lead teams, integrate data into decision-making, and drive strategy across functions. The MSIM from the UW equips professionals to take on greater challenges and transition into advanced roles in areas such as operations, product management or consulting.
What is the job description of a project manager?
A project manager plays a vital role in coordinating all elements of a project including budget, schedule, client communication and guiding the work of key staff.
Key responsibilities of project managers include:
- Project planning: Defining project scope and goals; then outlining the tasks, resources and budget needed to complete the project.
- Budgeting: Estimating costs, managing the overall budget, tracking spending and adjusting to meet financial objectives.
- Coordination: Directing the team involved in the project, assigning tasks based on team members’ strengths, promoting collaboration while also resolving conflicts.
- Stakeholder communication: Conferring with clients and stakeholders, providing updates and making adjustments based on client input.
- Risk management: Identifying potential risks early on, analyzing impacts and devising a mitigation plan.
Project managers’ success increasingly depends on data literacy, adaptability and cross-functional leadership.
What is the demand for project managers?
With steady job growth predicted across North America, demand continues to rise for professionals with project management skills. In 2024, project management specialists held 1 million jobs in the United States across multiple sectors including professional, scientific and technical services; construction; manufacturing; finance; and insurance. That number will continue to grow with new entry-level and remote job opportunities becoming available.
As organizations adopt new technologies, including AI, many professionals find their roles expanding from project oversight to strategic positions that blend analytics, communications and innovation. The UW MSIM offers paths for aspiring and current project managers to add to and strengthen their skillsets while positioning themselves for broader advancement across industries.
Durable skills that set MSIM graduates apart
The world could see a shortfall of nearly 30 million project management specialists by 2035. Professionals hoping to capitalize on this trend are looking to strengthen their durable skills including communication, adaptability, critical thinking and collaboration — all of which are woven into the MSIM curriculum.
Starbucks project manager Klentschy noted that the core skills he learned in his MSIM — risk management, communication and leadership expertise — will continue to be ones that even AI can’t eclipse. “Managing people is not something that is easily learned. How you play on a team is really important to managing a team,” he said.
Like many other MSIM students, Klentschy completed a Capstone project, which pairs students with local companies and organizations to determine solutions for a real-world information problem. That provides an advantage when graduates apply for jobs, Klentschy said. “Seeing that you’ve had experience working with Microsoft is a great thing to have on your resume.”
Careers related to project management
Many MSIM graduates enjoy success in the field of project management, while others use their skills as a launchpad to broader leadership roles. The MSIM helps students build analytical and strategic skills that prepare them for adjacent paths, including program management, product strategy, consulting and operations.
MSIM students can focus their elective coursework in one or more areas of specialization to tailor their degree to their goals in project management. Specialization options available to both online and residential students include Business Intelligence and Program/Product Management and Consulting, which helps to expand students’ ability to lead cross-functional teams and apply project-based thinking to larger organizations.
The UW’s MSIM program is designed to meet students where they’re at in their careers with three tracks to choose from, all of which are available to both residential and online students. Recent college graduates, for example, may pursue the Early-Career track in which they can complete two specializations, a capstone project, and an internship. This track can be completed in as few as six quarters if enrolled full time. The Early-Career Accelerated track allows students to complete one specialization and a hands-on project or internship. This track can be completed in a year for full-time students. And, finally, the Mid-Career track is designed for those who have at least five years of professional experience. This track is designed to be completed part-time, regardless of modality, to support working professionals, though some students opt for a faster pace.
Klentschy chose the one-year Early-Career Accelerated MSIM after wrapping up his bachelor’s degree at the UW. “I didn’t want to delay my career that much,” he said. The consulting class that Klentschy took for his MSIM prepared him both to start his career as a consultant to Starbucks and to work closely with outside consultants now as a full-time employee.
MSIM outcomes: real-world success stories
The mid-career track is the one Josiah "Josh” Balanay pursued, noting that it “really caters to professionals.” Balanay wanted the chance to increase her skills without taking time from her job.
Balanay picked the Business Intelligence specialization because she “wanted it to be valuable to what I was already doing.” The specialization gave Balanay skills with organizing data and understanding clean data. Balanay worked in UW’s service desk prior to completing the program. Her MSIM allowed her to advance her career and secure a job as IT Project Manager for the Washington Department of Health. “I think project management is something applicable to any organization,” Balanay said. “You have to have an efficient network in an organization to drive it. Project managers drive it, document it and report it.”
Like Balanay and Klentschy, many other MSIM graduates and students are using the durable skills they acquired at the UW to either jump-start or advance their careers.
Take the next step: Earn your MSIM at the University of Washington
Whether you’re early in your career or more seasoned, the UW’s MSIM program will help you hone the leadership, analytics and cross-functional collaboration skills needed to take your project management career to the next level. Review the admissions requirements and apply today. Still not sure? Reach out to an enrollment advisor to discuss your goals.
