Recently, we discussed what human resource management is, how to get into the field, and whether or not it's a good career.
Here, we'll explore the widely held belief that human resources is a difficult major and difficult industry to work in.
Like many other disciplines, human resources is often thought of as being overly challenging, and some people give up on pursuing a degree in it before they’ve looked into this question. The thing that’s important to realize is that human resources may have challenges, like any other profession, but it’s not more difficult than other similar fields.
In this article, we'll talk about why people might think of human resources as being uniquely difficult, we’ll dispel those concerns, and we’ll explain why you should think about considering a degree and career in human resources.
After learning everything you need to know about whether or not human resources is worth studying, we think you’ll agree that it’s a great option. If that's the case, fill out our information request form to receive additional details about our 100% online Bachelor's Degree in Human Resource Management or our online Master's Degree in Human Resource Management.
Ready to get started now? Submit your application today!
Why Do People Think Human Resources is Difficult?
Just like any other field, the main reason that many people consider human resources to be hard is that they don't know much about it yet.
They assume that HR is overly complex, technical, and difficult, but without actually looking into what human resources is and what human resource professionals do, they’re forming an opinion that isn’t based on fact.
As with any subject or degree program, HR might be more difficult for someone who isn’t particularly interested in it, or who lacks some of the basic foundational skills needed to achieve success in the industry, but these obstacles are easy to overcome by getting your degree in HR!
The topics you’d study during an HR degree program will train you on everything you need to know in regards to human resources itself, as well as where HR intersects with finance, technology, law, and decision-making best practices.
If you have an interest in or aptitude for any of these skills, then working in human resources may not be overly difficult, and it’d likely be something that you’d enjoy!
With that in mind, let’s look at what it takes to become an HR professional.
What Do You Need to Learn to Become a Human Resource Professional?
As with any field, there are a variety of skills that you will need to learn before you can launch a successful career in human resources.
Some of the most important pieces of knowledge, skills, and abilities that you should focus on developing include:
- Financial Management - Human resource professionals are responsible for compiling and analyzing reports and data related to employee statistics. They also must be capable of planning out salaries, workplace tools, and programs according to official departmental and organization budgets.
- Technology - Various technologies and software systems are used to complete HR tasks, including hiring, training, payroll, and other important responsibilities. A human resource manager should be up to date and well-versed in applicable technology.
- Employment Policies and Laws - HR professionals must be up to date with current labor laws and policies. Keeping abreast of changes and updates is crucial for planning company policy and strategy to ensure that your HR team upholds industry rules, regulations, standards, and ethics.
- Strategic Decision Making - Human resource professionals play an important role and are often in charge of hiring, firing, and disciplining employees, so they have to be capable of making strategic decisions. They must know how to evaluate performance and determine when employees are fitting in with the organization's culture, mission, and values, and where they need to intervene if there’s a problem. Knowing how to address these tasks relies heavily on excellent decision-making skills.
These are just some of the skills you will need to learn to become an effective human resources expert, but they’re also one of the reasons why HR has a reputation for being difficult.
It will take time, effort, and training to develop these abilities, but you’re likely to find the investment worth it because HR offers an excellent career opportunity.
Who Should Consider Becoming a Human Resource Manager?
It's worth taking some time to find out if human resources might be the right field of study and career path for you.
If you're on the fence because you’re concerned that HR may be too difficult, then you might find your fears allayed by the following details.
Anyone who is naturally good at the following skills, who has these personality traits, or who is interested in cultivating them, is likely to be uniquely suited to studying and working in HR:
- Great Communicators - A primary part of any position in HR is communication. Communication skills come in handy for an HR professional when interviewing candidates, relaying policy changes or information from upper management, resolving conflicts, or facilitating interactions between employees. Other HR activities like onboarding, training, giving presentations, and discussing company culture also require excellent communications skills. If you’re a great communicator, or interested in developing your communications skills, HR might be the perfect field for you to study.
- Conflict Managers - Have you always had a knack for being the "peacekeeper" in a given group? If so, you might be uniquely suited to succeed in HR. Conflict management is a crucial part of retaining employees, improving morale, and building effective teams, which preserves the organization's bottom line. Since workplace conflict often leads to an employee departure, managing conflict is of the utmost importance. If you’re interested in helping maintain positive relations then this could be a great opportunity to deploy those skills.
- Organizers - HR professionals work with employees in every department and are often responsible for coordinating, planning, and conducting meetings, establishing training regimens, scheduling events, and handling other organizational tasks. HR employees also keep track of documents related to applications, finances, discipline, and other critical processes that require a great deal of attention to detail. If you’re a detail-oriented person who is well-organized, then HR could be the perfect field for you.
- Trustworthy People - HR managers are responsible for holding sensitive conversations related to firing, suspensions, conflict, and other personal information. The manager is expected to keep this information safe and private.
If you feel that you possess one or more of the above characteristics, then you might be well-suited for a position in human resources.
Don't forget that this is just a small sample of skills and traits that indicate you could make a great human resources expert. In reality, there are many other desirable traits not listed here that would make you a great candidate.
And while we’ve explained that HR may not be as difficult as some people think, that doesn’t mean it’s “easy”. If you’re serious about breaking into the industry, then it’s important to invest the time and resources needed to develop the skills you’ll need to succeed in human resources.
Getting your degree in HR is the best way to ensure that you can do just that.
Do You Need a Degree to Break Into the Field?
It is possible to find a position in HR without a degree, especially in an entry-level role, but this could be challenging considering how competitive it is.
If you're aiming to launch your HR career in a traditional corporate setting then you’ll almost certainly be able to achieve better results by obtaining an HR degree, as this is likely to be a requirement for major corporations.
Of course, obtaining a degree also provides another significant benefit, which is to ensure that you will be thoroughly prepared to serve as an effective employee from your first day on the job.
If you’re serious about working in HR, then the best way to improve the chances of launching a successful career in the industry is to first obtain your degree.
Which Type of Degree Should You Get? Bachelor's vs. Master's Programs
Knowing that getting a degree may be vital to landing a great job in HR, you might be wondering which type of degree you should pursue.
To pick the right degree, review your current education credentials, you’ll need to review and consider your:
- Current academic credentials
- Industry experience
- Long-term career goals
If you don’t already have a bachelor’s degree (in any subject), then you should aim to complete our Bachelor’s Degree in HR Management, as this is the perfect place to start building your career.
However, if you already have a bachelor’s degree, then you’d be a better fit for our Master’s Degree in HR Management instead.
This program will improve your understanding of human resources best practices, while also preparing you for a more senior, leadership-level role in the industry.
If you’re having trouble choosing between a bachelor's or a master's degree, please contact one of our Enrollment Counselors by calling 1-800-462-7845 or emailing enroll [at] csuglobal.edu for assistance, as they can help steer you in the right direction.
Whatever degree you choose to pursue, you can rest assured that completing new academic credentials with CSU Global will help advance your career in human resources.
Should You Get Your Degree in Human Resource Management Online?
Yes, you should consider getting your degree in human resource management online, especially if you have work or family responsibilities that you'll need to manage alongside your studies.
Getting your degree online means you'll be able to do your coursework at a time and place that suits you. You'll be able to make your own schedule and work around other duties, all without having to worry about missing out on important information from in-person classes.
Our 100% online programs were designed specifically for online learning, and offer several benefits, including:
- No set class times or physical locations
- Monthly class starts
- Accelerated eight-week courses
If you're ready to develop the skills needed to launch or advance your career in human resources, then you won’t find a better option than studying online with us.
Why Should You Consider Studying Human Resources at CSU Global?
Our online degrees in human resources were designed to deliver the knowledge, skills, and abilities you need to launch or advance your HR career.
Whether you’re new to the industry or looking to land a more senior-level position, you can rest assured that your HR degree from CSU Global will be respected as both programs are regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and ACBSP Accredited by the Council of Business Schools and Programs.
Furthermore, both programs also feature curriculum aligned with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates.
Reasons to Choose our B.S. Degree in Human Resource Management
Our online Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resource Management program will provide you with the chance to develop all the foundational knowledge you need to serve as a training development specialist, HR coordinator, or human resources manager.
This program is well-respected, as it currently holds several excellent rankings, including:
- A #1 ranking for Best Human Resources Degree Programs of 2022 from Intelligent.
- A #2 ranking for Best Online Human Resources Degrees 2022 from The Best Schools.
- A #4 ranking for 20 Best Affordable Online Human Resources Management Degree Programs (Bachelor's) 2020 from Affordable Schools.
Obtaining your degree from CSU Global ensures that you’ll get the chance to develop the skills and abilities needed to launch a successful career in HR.
Reasons to Choose our Master’s Degree in Human Resource Management
Our online Master’s Degree in Human Resource Management program will train you in all the skills and abilities needed for a variety of HR management roles.
Earning your Master’s Degree in HR Management will help advance your career by preparing you for the most challenging, complex, and lucrative jobs in human resource management.
Choosing to study with CSU Global is sure to impress potential employers, as we currently hold several excellent rankings, including:
- A #1 ranking for Best Online Colleges & Schools in Colorado from Best Accredited Colleges.
- A #1 ranking for Best Online Colleges in Colorado from Best Colleges.
- A #10 ranking for Best Online Colleges for ROI from OnlineU.
Finally, to help reduce the total cost of your education credentials, we offer competitive tuition rates and a Tuition Guarantee that promises your affordable tuition won't increase while you remain enrolled with us.
For additional details on our fully-accredited, online Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in HR Management, please give us a call at (800) 462-7845, or fill out our Information Request Form.
Ready to get started right away? Apply now!