I was recently lined up to do a live radio interview on a national broadcaster business show. As he was introducing my interview segment, the show host said, “And next we’ll talk to Pat Lucey, the man who’ll explain what makes Project Management sexy”.
And for the next couple of minutes as the ad-break ran, my mind was in a whirl. Is Project Management a sexy career? If so why? What can I talk about…
Thankfully, when the interview started the discussion went down other avenues, as I talked about Aspira’s consulting and technology business; how we help organisations deliver their technology projects so that they can reap the benefits of digital transformation, and have confidence that their Aspira colleagues will ensure their projects get delivered.
Afterwards I reflected… what is the sexiest career? I have to admit that for me the answer is to be an astronaut! Since I was a small kid, I fantasised about that career and when Norah Patten – Ireland’s prospective first astronaut – spoke at the Ireland Project Management Conference in 2018, I was a total fan-boy.
So, could Project Management compete on the sexiness scale of careers. Over to my Google search page to seek the definition of sexiness. Once I got past some inappropriate options, I found a nice definition – to be sexy something must be exciting, appealing and attractive. So let’s apply the test:
What could be more exciting than turning ideas into reality? It is the Project Manager that takes a notion, a vision, a dream, and finds a way to make that dream come true. Overcoming obstacles, thwarting opponents, and delivering the treasure at the end – the Project Manager is a modern day Prince/Princess Charming. 10/10 for excitement.
Is Project Management an appealing career? One measure is just how much in demand are Project Managers today. Aspira provide Project Management consultants to our clients internationally and we can say without fear of contradiction that the market is crying out for good Project Managers. In some market regions, the demand is 7:1 – in other words for every Project Manager there are seven roles vying for his/her attention. 10/10 for appealing.
Are Project Managers attractive? In order to be a Project Manager you must be an optimist – you must see the power of the possible, and you must have deep faith in the character of people. These are really positive and attractive qualities in any individual. Throw in the fact that all Project Managers are really handsome and good looking people, and you have to award 10/10 for attractiveness.
So there we have it. After a deeply scientific analysis, I have proven that Project Management is indeed a very sexy career choice. In fact I bet there are some astronauts who are now looking to switch to join us PM types…
Article by Pat Lucey, CEO of Aspira. For more information on how Aspira can help you with all your project management needs or to find out more about a career in project management, contact info@aspira.ie.