How to Be Project Management Intern - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Apr 29, 2022 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

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The implementation of project management internships has led to a number of positive effects, including an increase in the quality of projects, improved collaboration and communication between teams, and a decrease in project costs. By providing an opportunity for experienced professionals to mentor and train interns on the fundamentals of project management, organizations are able to develop more knowledgeable and competent project management professionals. In addition, interns can contribute fresh ideas and perspectives to the organization, helping to create innovative solutions to existing problems. Finally, by investing in the development of interns, employers are able to create a more competitive workforce and provide a greater value to their clients.

Steps How to Become

Research project management internships in your field. Look for internships that offer experience and training in the areas you would like to specialize. Contact the employers directly, or use an online job search engine to apply for positions.
Consider applying for a project management certificate program. Many universities and colleges offer certificate programs that can provide you with an introduction to the basics of project management.
Take advantage of free online resources and tools for project management. You can find a number of online courses and tutorials that can give you an introduction to the basics of project management.
Develop your project management skills through practical experience. This can include working on projects in your current job, or volunteering on projects in your spare time.
Build your network of contacts in the project management field. Attend industry events and conferences, join relevant online discussion groups, and follow project management professionals on social media.
Create a professional portfolio of your work and experience. Include examples of projects you have worked on, and any certificates or awards you have earned related to project management.
Secure references from people who can vouch for your project management ability and experience. These could include former managers, colleagues, or professors who have supervised your work.
Use your portfolio and references to apply for project management internships or entry-level jobs.
Participate in internships or job roles that involve project management duties, such as scheduling tasks, coordinating resources, and monitoring progress on projects.
Take advantage of any additional training or resources offered by your employer to build your project management skills.

Project management is an important element of any successful business, requiring careful planning and execution. When done effectively, project management can help to ensure that all project goals and objectives are met, while also saving time, money, and resources. To ensure an ideal and efficient project management process, it is important to create a well-defined plan of action that includes setting realistic goals, establishing timelines, assigning tasks, and allocating resources.

the project team must have clear communication and collaboration among its members, as well as access to the necessary tools and technologies to support their work. Finally, regular monitoring of progress and adjusting timelines and resources as needed can help ensure projects stay on track and are completed successfully.

You may want to check Project Scheduler, IT Project Manager, and Project Estimator for alternative.

Job Description

Assist in the development and implementation of project plans, including timelines, budgets and resources
Monitor project progress, including timeline and budget adherence
Conduct research and analysis to inform project decisions
Develop and maintain project documentation, including status reports, presentations, minutes and meeting notes
Work collaboratively with project stakeholders to ensure successful completion of the project
Provide guidance and support to project team members
Identify project risks and develop mitigation strategies
Facilitate meetings and workshops as needed
Develop and maintain relationships with external stakeholders
Organize and coordinate project activities
Prepare project status reports and other reports as needed
Monitor project budgets and oversee expenditure
Act as a liaison between the project team and other internal departments
Assist in the preparation of project proposals and presentations
Assist in the development of project marketing materials
Assist with the implementation of quality assurance activities
Collect and analyze data related to project performance
Participate in the development of project training materials
Provide administrative support as needed

Skills and Competencies to Have

Project planning and management
Risk and issue management
Resource allocation and utilization
Change management
Budgetary management
Effective communication
Strategic planning
Stakeholder engagement
Data analysis
Problem solving
Time management
Technical writing
Negotiation skills
Conflict resolution
Quality assurance

Project management internships provide valuable experience and skills for those looking to succeed in the field of project management. One of the most important skills to have when working as a project management intern is the ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with stakeholders. This means being able to effectively express ideas, manage expectations, and resolve conflicts.

Good communication skills also involve the ability to understand the needs of stakeholders and work with them to create a shared understanding of project goals. its important to be organized and have good problem-solving skills. Project management interns need to be able to break down complex tasks into manageable parts, prioritize tasks based on importance, and develop strategies for achieving project goals.

Furthermore, project management interns need to be able to manage risks, monitor progress against project objectives, and ensure that changes are documented and reported in a timely manner. Finally, having strong technical skills is also essential for project management interns, as they need to be able to use various software programs like Microsoft Project and other project management software. With these skills, project management interns will be well-equipped to take on the challenges of managing projects in the real world.

Senior Project Architect, Junior Project Analyst, and Manufacturing/Project Manager are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in project management?
What challenges have you faced in project management and how did you overcome them?
What methods do you use to manage stakeholders and ensure project success?
How do you stay organized and productive when managing multiple projects?
How do you define success when it comes to project management?
What tools and software do you use to manage projects?
How do you ensure deadlines are met while managing a project?
How do you measure the success of a project?
Describe a time where you had to adjust a project plan due to external factors.
How do you handle difficult conversations with stakeholders or team members?

Common Tools in Industry

Microsoft Project. A project management software used to create and track projects, timelines, and resources. (Example: Creating a timeline for a software development project. )
Trello. A project management tool for organizing and tracking tasks, due dates, and assigning tasks to different members of the team. (Example: Assigning tasks to team members for an upcoming event. )
Asana. A task management system for organizing projects and tracking progress. (Example: Assigning tasks to team members and tracking progress for an upcoming launch. )
Jira. A bug-tracking and project management tool for software development teams. (Example: Tracking progress on a software development project and identifying any bugs that need to be addressed. )
Airtable. A spreadsheet-based collaboration tool for managing projects, tasks, and resources. (Example: Creating a project plan in Airtable and assigning tasks to team members. )

Professional Organizations to Know

Project Management Institute (PMI): This is the leading professional organization for project management, with more than 500,000 members worldwide. It offers certifications, publications, conferences and networking opportunities.
Association for Project Management (APM): This is the largest professional body for project management in Europe, with over 30,000 members. It provides news, research and events related to project management.
International Project Management Association (IPMA): This is an international professional organization for project management with branches in over 40 countries. It provides training, certification and events related to project management.
Project Management Academy (PMA): This is a global network of project management professionals, providing training, certification and resources.
Project Management Institute of Canada (PMI-Canada): This is the official Canadian branch of the PMI, providing training and certification to project managers in Canada.
Project Management Association of Japan (PMAJ): This is the official Japanese branch of the PMI, providing resources and training to project managers in Japan.
American Society for Quality (ASQ): This is a global organization that provides certification and resources for quality management professionals.
International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA): This is an international association focused on business analysis and requirements engineering. It provides resources and certifications for business analysts.

We also have Project Supervisor, Business Process Re-engineering/Project Manager, and Project Implementation Specialist jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Gantt Chart. A Gantt chart is a visual representation of a project timeline, showing the sequence of tasks, start and end dates, and dependencies.
Risk Management. Risk management is the process of identifying, assessing, and managing potential risks that could adversely affect the success of a project.
Stakeholder. A stakeholder is an individual or group that has an interest in the success of a project.
Resource Allocation. Resource allocation is the process of assigning resources to tasks in order to complete a project.
Scope. The scope of a project is the set of activities that must be completed to achieve the desired outcome.
Milestones. Milestones are significant events in a project that mark the completion of a major deliverable.
Quality Assurance. Quality assurance is the process of ensuring that all products and services meet certain quality standards.
Earned Value Management. Earned value management is a system used to measure project performance by tracking the amount of work completed and comparing it to the planned budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of activities will I be involved in as a Project Management Intern?

As a Project Management Intern, you will be responsible for assisting with project planning and execution, coordinating with stakeholders, tracking project progress, and reporting on project status. Additionally, you may be involved in budgeting, resource allocation, quality assurance, risk management, and other project management activities.

What skills are needed to be successful as a Project Management Intern?

Successful Project Management Interns should have excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills. Additionally, they should have a basic understanding of project management principles such as the PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge), Agile Methodology, and Change Management. Knowledge of various project management software such as Microsoft Project, Trello, and JIRA is also beneficial.

How many hours per week does the Project Management Internship typically require?

The hours for each Project Management Internship will vary depending on the organization and the specific project needs. Generally, you should expect to work between 10-20 hours per week.

What is the typical timeline for a Project Management Internship?

The timeline for each Project Management Internship will depend on the specific organization and project needs. In general, most internships last for 1-3 months.

What is the average salary for a Project Management Intern?

The average salary for a Project Management Intern varies based on the organization and the market rate for the region. However, according to Glassdoor, the national average salary for Project Management Interns is approximately $17.50 per hour.