Excelling beyond the classroom

MSUM PROJECT MANAGEMENT STUDENT GAINS REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE

Clara Derby, a project management and English major at Minnesota State University Moorhead who will graduate in 2020, has always wanted to work in event management. When she was given the opportunity to do so with MSUM’s Project Management program, she took it.

“The program is very applicable. It’s one of those programs where you can see it’s preparing you for your career,” Derby says.

The encouragement, support and opportunities the project management program and faculty offer will not only help Derby in the real world but will help all MSUM project management students after graduation.

“All project management classes blend theory with application. Students have a chance to take an industry Dale Carnegie class that focuses on communication, presentation and leadership, a project management simulation, and a capstone class where students apply their PM skills to a business, education or community project,” says Pam McGee, MSUM associate professor of project management. “They can also participate in Dragon Consulting, internships, co-ops and international exchange programs.”

“Every single one of the faculty has industry experience, so they bring in a lot of applicable real-world examples as well as valuable industry connections,” Derby says.

MSUM is just one of a few Midwest universities that offers a project management program entirely online, helping Derby earn not one, but two degrees. Taking project management courses online and with the majority of her English courses in the classroom, Derby has experienced the best of both worlds.

“Taking classes online gives you the time and flexibility to pursue educational and career opportunities while also going to school,” Derby says.

Throughout her courses in the project management program, Derby had the opportunity to gain hands-on experiences. She was the event manager for a 1 Million Cups event held on campus.

“It was fascinating. It was a lot of pressure because it was a high visibility event. I was proud to be a part of it,” she says. Derby was also instrumental in planning a Virtual Reality Certification event at MSUM this past year.

The faculty in the project management program are more than professors for their students.

“Everyone has been super welcoming and supportive and treats everyone with respect and gives value to everyone’s ideas,” Derby says. Even without taking one of her classes, Derby built a close connection with McGee.

“Pam McGee invited me to work with her. I didn’t think I could do it, but she did, and she gave me the support and confidence to go out and prove her right. That has been greatly impactful on my life, and I am deeply grateful for her,” Derby says.

“Clara is going to change the world because she is smart, kind, driven and innovative. I’m proud to say she is a Dragon and a PM student,” McGee says.

The project management job market continues to grow and expand, giving project managers entering the work force the opportunity to follow their passion based on the industry they wish to be in.

“It’s one thing to do well in school and have the qualifications on paper, but to get the opportunity to go out and apply them and prove to yourself and others that you really can do that is so powerful,” McGee says.

The project management program at MSUM is globally accredited by the Project Management Institute, making it a high-value program not only at MSUM, but around the world.

LEARN MORE about MSUM’s nationally ranked project management program at mnstate.edu/project-management.