Reasons to be a PM

⭐Skill Set: If you have the natural skill set for being a PM, and feel energized by using it, this is a great job for you. You'll also find that this skill set naturally transfers to many different roles and industries. I've used my PM skill set to work on digital games, websites, process improvement projects, construction projects, traffic/resource management, internal training programs and most recently developing a covid plan for a sorority facility.
⠀
💭Represent the Customer: Everyone should consider and represent the customer throughout their work, but I especially believe the PM should be the voice of the customer throughout. Other team members may get lost in the details and propose solutions that unintentionally complicate the customer experience. The PM gets to be the champion for the customer and consider every step from an outside perspective, which is really fun.
⠀
👥Work Across Multiple Disciplines: What I really mean by this is, PMs get to work with team members and stakeholders across multiple disciplines. This is so exciting and fun! Every day as a PM, there is so much to learn from each and every person you interact with.
⠀
What's your favorite part of being a PM?

I've seen many people make the transition to PM (project/product/program manager) from another role who didn't end up liking the switch, and these were their reasons for the career change. Overall, I think a lot of people look at the PM they're working with and don't see all of the work they're doing- if they're doing it right, their job seems easier than it actually is.
⠀
💵More Money: Chances are, if you are in a specialized role (designer, developer, researcher, etc), you're probably making more money than the PM you're working with. This is especially true considering you may need to level down if you're switching to a new job family (PM).
💪Power/Control: PMs who are great at influencing others and leading meetings may give the illusion of having full control over the project/program/product they're working on. As a PM, you may actually feel like you have much less control because it's up to you to establish the foundation, pitch in where you can, but ultimately up to your team members and peers to create the actual outcome. You need to collaborate with your teammates- if you try to control them, you will fail.
🚦"Just Tracking Projects": Some people think that being a PM is just tracking projects, marking them green/yellow/red, and nagging their team members to get things done. This is part of the role, yes, but if it's the entire role for you, you aren't doing it right.