Gone are the days when the Personnel Department managed the payroll and administered the company’s leave policy. On the contrary, the purely administrative functions of human resource management have to a large extent been outsourced in many companies, large and small. Even the name has changed. In short, the HR function today has more important things to do.
What’s in a Name?
As companies began to recognize the centrality of qualified and experienced people to their success, more time and effort were invested in attracting and retaining the right talent. Until that time, the “personnel manager” was regarded as being a few rungs down the ladder when it came to influence and status in the boardroom.
But organizations couldn’t walk the talk of “people are our most important asset” until they acknowledged the value of their human resources – including those managers who sourced, recruited, trained, and developed those very resources. HR Management had taken its rightful place at the table in the C-suite.
More recently, a former HR executive at Google, Laszlo Bock, has introduced the notion of People Operations (PO) to describe a more human-centered approach to HR management.
“There is too much conversation about engaging and exciting employees. We believe that we need to empower individuals, empower teams, and put the individual at the center of efforts to drive company performance and employee happiness. That is what we do.”
All this talk about empowering people might not sound revolutionary, but put another way, HR is about the company policies, and PO is about the people, their happiness, and well-being.
But does an MBA help you to navigate these turbulent waters?
Educational Requirements
- Most HR management positions require at least a bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field. EU Business School has the business-oriented degree that you’re looking for, starting with a BA (Hons) in Business (HR Management), a three-year full-time program designed to provide students with a solid grounding in business concepts and skills as well as specialist knowledge in human resources.
- Post-graduate professional certifications such as SHRM-CP (Society for Human Resource Management – Certified Professional) or PHR (Professional in Human Resources) can also enhance career prospects.
- Masters in Human Resource Management (MHR) programs focus on HR functions, such as talent acquisition, employee relations, employment law, training and development, and compensation and benefits. It’s a specialized master’s degree for those who want to focus on that particular area.
- A human resource MBA program, on the other hand, has a broad curriculum that includes human resources and business management coursework, such as finance, economics, marketing, and accounting. In other words, a much broader business education but with an HR specialization.
- MHR graduates usually find employment opportunities in HR departments, whereas graduates with an MBA in HR have more diverse career prospects, including management positions in a range of industries.
- The EU Business School MBA is a one-year full-time program designed to provide students with a critical understanding of core business functions as well as strategic business management, while also enhancing their innovative capability and practical, transversal and practical skills.
Benefits of an MBA
- Broad Business Knowledge: An MBA provides a comprehensive understanding of business operations, including finance, marketing, and management, which can be valuable in HR leadership roles. Functional and operational members of the management team will respect the knowledge and insight that your MBA provides when recruiting and developing talent for their teams.
- Leadership Skills: MBA programs often focus on developing leadership and strategic thinking skills, which are crucial for higher-level HR positions. These skills also provide access to advancement outside of HR into general management positions.
- Networking Opportunities: MBA programs offer extensive networking opportunities with peers, professors, and industry professionals, which can be beneficial for career advancement in the global business world.
- Increased Job Opportunities: Some senior HR roles, especially in larger organizations, may prefer or require candidates with an MBA. Through the acquisition of a skillset in business management and business strategy in a global context at EU Business School, students acquire skills and competencies in dynamic leadership development and strategic decision-making.
Alternative Pathways
Extensive experience in HR, along with professional development courses and certifications, can lead to senior HR roles without an MBA.
Final Thoughts
While an MBA provides a competitive edge in today’s job market and may be preferred for senior HR management positions, it is not strictly necessary. A basic business degree, relevant experience, specialized HR education, and professional certifications can also lead to successful careers in HR management. For more information about studying a business program specializing in HR to boost your career at EU Business School, click here.
