Career of the European project manager

Ireneusz Żuchowski

doi:10.5604/01.3001.0013.2555

Authors

Ireneusz Żuchowski University of Agribusiness in Łomża, Faculty of Economics and Agriculture, Department of Economics and Management, Poland https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3998-1892

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5604/01.3001.0013.2555

Keywords:

manager, professional career, project

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the article is to present the nature and specificity of the professional career of European project managers.
Material and methods: The study was of qualitative character. The aim of the study was to learn about the career development and opinions of EU project managers on the evolution of their careers. During the interview three main thematic areas were covered: 1. The beginning of the EU project manager's career? 2. Career development of the EU project manager? 3. Experience to provide people planning a career in the field of EU project management? The research was carried out among 100 people, who were the project managers financed from EU funds under the financial perspective 2007-2013 and the 2014-2020 outlook. The research was carried out in the period from 01-09/2018 using the interview method.
Results: Among the respondents, 60% were people who worked in public institutions and were directed to trainings in the 1990s that were related to political transformation and they implemented reforms and aid programs realised by the World Bank and pre-accession programs preparing Poland for inclusion in structures of the European community. These people gained experience working as specialists, experts, administrative employees in projects. Gained experience and knowledge means that they continue their careers by implementing projects financed from EU funds. People who have been working on the implementation of projects of this type since the beginning of their careers accounted for 9% of respondents. Most respondents (77%) before becoming project managers participated in the implementation of 4-6 projects performing administrative tasks. On the other hand, 18% of the respondents obtained this position after the implementation of 2-3 projects and 5% of those surveyed became project managers, having no such experience.
Conclusion: The professional career of the European project manager, as the research results show, is not straightforward, and professional career in this area is often a coincidence. This is partly related to the specificity of Poland associated to the processes of political and economic transformation. The creation of such jobs has intensified as a consequence of Poland's accession to the European Union.

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