subject: Is it Worth Getting an MBA in HR Management? [print this page] Is it Worth Getting an MBA in HR Management?
These days, almost any major company or corporation has a need for human resource personnel. However, not everyone might be cut out for such work. It may sound like a relatively easy role to act as a human resource manager, however there is often quite a bit of skill involved. Work in human resources may call for honed interpersonal skills, the ability to communicate clearly and in high-pressure situations, and a vast knowledge of employment laws, motivational methods, teaching and training techniques, and numerous other skills. Whether it's assisting with recruiting, interviewing, hiring, attending unemployment hearings, training employees, or assisting with benefits explanations, an extensive educational background can be beneficial in your human resource management role.
Human Resource Management
A management position in human resources will often call for a well-rounded individual that can deal with and adapt quickly to a variety of situations, personalities, and attitudes. While your individual personality will likely play a large part in your success as a human resource manager, so will your educational background. While you may feel that working in human resources revolves largely around being able to work effectively with others, and part of it does, there are other significant roles to be played as well. Understanding the laws as they relate to the workplace, various communication and motivational techniques, as well as diversity, legal, and ethical issues, many of which will be taught or supplemented in your MBA coursework, will likely all play a part in your work.
Type of Coursework
Being skilled and knowledgeable in a variety of subjects pertaining to human resources can make your work easier and more effective. The courses you take during your Human Resource MBA work can further your ability to succeed and advance within human resource management and provide a strong background to rely upon during your work in the field. Here is a list of subjects to which you may be exposed in your MBA work.
* Employment law
* Organizational leadership
* Legal and ethical issues
* Effective communications
* Negotiating
* Organizational development
* Training and development
* Diversity
Human Resources Salary
The salary and benefits associated with roles in human resources can vary significantly depending on the type of position and particular employer. Here are some averages from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics' May 2008 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates that might provide a better idea of what average salaries may be for various human resource related roles.
Employment, Recruitment, and Placement Specialists -- $53,870
Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists -- $57,060
Training and Development Specialists $54,830
Human Resource, Training, and Labor Relations Specialists, All Other -- $58,230
Management Positions
Compensation and Benefits Managers -- $93,410
Training and Development Managers -- $93,830
Human Resource Managers, All Other -- $103,920
If you're ready to take on the challenges of management education, take a look at all the schools that offer an online mba degree and get started by requesting more information from them.