Is a Human Resources Degree Worth it?

Is a human resources degree worth it? Is a common question posed by students who want to pursue careers in HR-related fields?

Human resources, or H.R., as it is more generally known, is a dynamic field. Human resource management undergraduate programs are frequently placed in a university's business school. This gives students the chance to expand on their general business education. They will acquire the abilities required to create the groundwork for contributing significantly to the strategic achievements of today's workplaces.

One of its main advantages is the wide range of specialization options available in the human resources industry. With a bachelor's or master's degree in H.R., you will be prepared to support your company's most valuable resource: its employees. If you are good with numbers, you might choose to concentrate on a career in payroll or benefits administration. Or, if you are good at communicating and solving problems, you can work as a recruiter or business partner in human resources.

Whatever your area of interest, obtaining a human resources degree will provide you the credentials and fundamental skills you need to stand out in a competitive work market. Your employment options are not restricted by your H.R. degree. You may be competitive in the corporate world by using transferable abilities.

With a foundational knowledge of the shifting business culture, graduates with a human resource degree are qualified to start looking for jobs right away in the H.R. departments of:

tiny businesses that are non-profits
private companies, international businesses

Is a human resources degree worth it? : Career Development Areas

Unlike majors in other business disciplines, human resources degree programs allow undergraduate students to focus their study in a curriculum closely tied to the fundamental abilities required to manage a business's human capital.

Is Human resources management a Good Major?

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Human resources degree students advance their careers in a variety of HR-related fields by learning how to:

Encourage employees, enforce laws, and handle discussions with unions
building training programs and establishing competitive remuneration and
benefits packages

These abilities support a productive workplace that continues to be successful. Most H.R. bachelor's programs include classes in the following areas:

benefits and compensation under employment law
recruitment and selection, training, and development
Students can select electives in topics like business or fundamental accounting.

According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics, Human resources management jobs typically demand a bachelor's degree and have a median annual salary of $126,230. H.R. professions were among the 100 top careers in America, according to CBS News and U.S. News Careers in 2021 and 2022.

An inquiry on why Michelle Meachem, a 2015 graduate and the director of human resources at the University of Vermont's Elizabethtown Community Hospital, thinks H.R. degrees are worthwhile.

1. Why did you choose SUNY Empire State for your Human Resources degree?

With my associate's degree, I worked as an H.R. assistant at the hospital. My boss encouraged me to continue my studies and earn a bachelor's degree. Since a bachelor's degree is typical in the industry, I realized I had to. I knew it wouldn't be simple because I worked full-time and was a full-time mom. That is why I decided to pursue my H.R. degree at SUNY Empire. Because of their adaptable degree programs, I was able to complete mine while working toward a family and earning useful experience.

2. Is working in H.R. rewarding?

Yes. That was only one of the numerous things that inspired me to complete my degree. The name is self-explanatory. Employees can use you as a resource to help them perform at their highest level. Additionally, you see that employee problems are addressed and remedied. Although difficult, you ultimately assist many people within a business.

3. How has having a Human Resources degree benefited your career?

I am so successful in my current work because I obtained a degree in human resources. It equipped me with the knowledge I needed to advance in my work. I think my SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) credential was also made possible by it. Get your degree if you want to work in human resources. It is worthwhile.

Is a human resources degree worth it? What Should I Expect from a Human Resources Degree?

A career in human resources management, business, and other fields can be started with an H.R. degree. Find out what you can do with a degree in human resources.

It's a well-known reality that few companies could survive without staff. And many business owners would find it difficult to meet their employees' needs without human resource specialists. Professionals in human resources recruit, filter, and interview job applicants. They monitor training, pay, and benefits issues while working to ensure workers are treated fairly. It's a complicated job that requires technical and people skills, many of which may be learned in a classroom or online.

Studying for a human resources degree can teach you a lot about the workplace, including hiring, employee development, and acquiring talent for a business. The field of human resources is wide, and there are many options for specialization in areas like hiring, employee development, or benefits administration. You can discover your area of interest by pursuing a human resources degree.

Is a human resources degree worth it? Human resources degree online

A career in human resources can be a good fit for you if you have a keen business sense and a desire to help others reach their full potential. A recognized university's online human resources program may offer beneficial instruction for this professional path.

After graduation, you will be prepared to work as an H.R. professional and begin gaining the skills you will need to climb to management. Additionally, you might find employment in human resources, pay, or staff development.

Is a human resources degree worthwhile? It is certainly possible because of increased employment opportunities, stable wages, and charitable opportunities. To find out more, compare the H.R. bachelor's programs offered by approved universities!

Is a human resources degree worth it? What can one accomplish with a human resources degree?

Learning the rules and regulations governing human resources might prepare you for a career that involves managing personnel in a business. You can use it to help you become ready for various other careers.

A single person or small team may be able to handle the duties of these positions in a small business. A big corporation might have a department with different employees filling each position. Jobs directly related to a human resources degree include:

Coordinator of human resources
Head of human resources
Change management professional
Organizational Development Professionals

Many individuals would agree that H.R. management is a desirable job choice given the compensation and room for advancement, not to mention the opportunity to assist others in achieving their professional objectives.

Several HR-related occupations were included in the "2021 Best Jobs" list by the U.S. News & World Report publication. This annual study considers elements like growth rate, job satisfaction, and compensation information.

Excellent job satisfaction

Your well-being depends on having work you love. The good news is that H.R. specialists are content with their jobs:

According to a Payscale.com research, human resource managers often have high job satisfaction, scoring 4.1 on a 5-point scale.
On its "20 of the Most Rewarding Careers in 2020" list, Indeed ranked "human resource manager" at number 10.
The corporate recruiter was placed first for total job satisfaction on Glassdoor's "50 Best Jobs in America for 2020" list.

Think about how you may combine your profession in human resource management with an area that has long interested you.

Numerous Possibilities

One of the most alluring aspects of working in human resources is that you may do so in almost any industry and at businesses of all sizes. You have access to opportunities previously out of your reach due to geography, thanks to the proliferation of remote businesses. You can work as an H.R. manager in various industries, including manufacturing, financial services, government, healthcare, education, and the arts and entertainment.

Space for Development & Specialization

Existing employees have various opportunities to rise within their firms as H.R. departments expand in scope and services offered. This could entail assuming managerial responsibilities, moving laterally into a newly created post, or receiving a promotion to "senior" in your present position.

Many businesses are expanding their human resource departments to encompass training and development, diversity, equity, inclusion, and data intelligence. Because of this, human resource managers have the opportunity to specialize and even assist their organizations in implementing new resources and initiatives. So keep a lookout for new developments in the H.R. field!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a degree in human resources challenging?

If a student struggles with managing and communicating with others effectively, a human resource degree program will be quite challenging for them. The courses will be less challenging but still challenge students if establishing interpersonal relationships comes effortlessly to them.

How do H.R. and HRM differ from one another?

Human resource management is HRM, while H.R. stands for human resource. The term "human resource" or "H.R." refers to the group of individuals overseeing the resources issues affecting the workers and general HR policies. When the importance of labour relations came to light and ideas like motivation, organizational behaviour, and selection assessments began in the 1960s, the word "human resources" was first used.

Is it possible to work in H.R. without a degree?

An H.R. degree can help you land a well-paying H.R. position. If your communication, planning, organizing, and management skills are up to par, you can still land an H.R. position without a degree in the field.

Which online H.R. courses are the best?

The following are some of the top online programs

Southern New Hampshire University with an H.R. bachelor's degree.
The University of Maryland Global Campus offers a degree program in human resources management.
Resources with an associate's degree from CVTC.

The delivery method for all of these courses is online. The associate programs typically last two years, whereas graduate courses often last four years.