How an MBA prepares you for various HR functions

As a career option, Human Resources or HR can be a very exciting and satisfying choice for many. The role involves direct human interaction, employee search, retention, redressal of grievances, and much more, to drive overall organizational success. Skilled professionals are always in demand to carry out complex HR roles with utmost ease and effectiveness, especially as companies increasingly realize and underscore the importance of human resources for growth. MBA degrees in HR are therefore designed to equip students with the desirable skills in the domain. This blog highlights the importance of an online MBA in HR, stressing how it helps prepare graduates for various HR functions in the industry. 

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Overview of HR Functions

Let us begin with a brief overview of the core HR functions that are a part of the successful working of any organization:

• Recruitment and Staffing: This is one of the most conventional and primary roles that HR has been playing for decades for companies that they work for. Being responsible for the end-to-end cycle of identifying, selecting, and onboarding the right people for a specific role in the organization is what the HR department is always known for. It is a foundational step to building a strong workforce. 

• Employee Relations: This also falls under the purview of HR and revolves around ensuring healthy and productive relations among employees, between the HR and employees, and between the employees and the organization, at all times. This includes timely resolution of grievances, complaints, queries, and conflicts, and conscious efforts to make employees feel valued.

• Compensation and Benefits: The salary structure is a huge incentive for employees working at any organization. The HR designs and offers proportionate compensation to the employee at the time of joining. They also make sure that appropriate incentives and rewards are offered to the employee as a recognition of their efforts.

Core HR Skills Developed in an MBA Program

We learned above the primary HR functions that are essential to the success of an organization. An MBA in HR can help equip students with the necessary skills to function in their respective roles effectively. Listed below are the key skills that an MBA in HR can impart to graduates:

• Strategic Thinking: MBA programs are designed to teach strategic planning and decision-making skills, crucial for aligning HR practices with organizational goals. They learn how to develop strategies for the long term, analyze industry trends, and come up with solutions to solve real-world challenges. 

• Leadership and Management: Another important skill that reflects the scope of an MBA in HR is the development of leadership and management skills, essential for guiding HR teams and influencing organizational culture. HR professionals need to act as effective leaders in the organization, responsible for making critical decisions for the overall betterment of the company and its employees therein. They also need to have excellent management skills to productively lead the workforce.

• Analytical and Data-Driven Decision-Making: Analytical skills and data-driven decision-making are highly significant in HR functions, including workforce analytics and performance metrics. This helps professionals make informed decisions to improve the overall performance of the employees.

Specialized HR Courses in MBA Programs

There are specialized MBA degrees that are offered exclusively in the field of HR to aspiring professionals looking for a rewarding career in the industry. Let us take a quick look at some of these specializations:

• Talent Management: The courses focused on talent management teach the best practices for attracting and hiring the best talent in the market. They also provide the model for succession planning, preparing employees to assume leadership roles in the future and progress toward career development.
• Organizational Behavior: The study of organizational behavior enables learners to analyze how individuals and groups are impacted by people’s behavior in the organization. They further learn the impact of organizational behavior on workplace dynamics and employee performance, delving deep into how the personality traits of individuals have the potential to influence work performance. 
• Labor Law and Ethics: Specialized MBA programs in HR study the importance of understanding labor laws, regulations, and ethical considerations in managing HR functions effectively. These include protection of employee rights, regulatory compliance, and maintaining ethical practices at the workplace.

Practical Experience and Internships

MBA programs in HR also equip students with hands-on experience and practical learning to give them an authentic feel of what lies ahead of them in the job market. Hands-on learning enables learners to gain practical experience through internships, projects, and real-world case studies, which are a part of the MBA program curriculum.

The course also provides industry exposure to MBA students, giving them a chance to interact with HR professionals, attend industry conferences, and participate in networking events.

Also read: Role of internships in landing your dream job

Preparing for Advanced HR Roles

Graduating with an MBA in HR helps prepare you for advanced roles in varied industries. Here’s a glimpse of the career opportunities after an MBA in HR:

• HR Business Partner: They collaborate with business leaders to drive organizational success. They are responsible for strategic alignment, workforce planning and talent management, and employee engagement and development.
• Change Management: MBA programs prepare graduates for roles in change management, helping organizations navigate transformations and improve efficiency. As the business landscapes evolve rapidly, it is essential to have the ability to adapt quickly. Professionals learn the skills of strategic leadership and management, organizational behavior, project management, and negotiation.
• Diversity and Inclusion: Most organizations today are driven by these two elements and strive to incorporate them into their HR policies. MBA HR programs therefore equip students with comprehensive learning on ethical and social responsibility, diversity and inclusion, and social impact.

Leveraging Technology in HR

Online MBA in HR management is a step forward in incorporating the use of technological advancements in making HR principles and knowledge easily accessible to students and working professionals alike.

HR Information Systems or HRIS is used for data reporting and management. It helps HR professionals streamline work processes and, offer valued insights, and improve efficiency at work. 

MBA programs also teach the use of talent analytics to optimize hiring, performance management, and employee engagement. Students are taught how to gather, filter, analyze, and interpret collected data. Talent analytics helps use predictive models in recruiting the right talent, making decisions based on data, and offering 360-degree feedback to employees. 

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Career Advancement and Opportunities

An online MBA in HR can open a wide array of opportunities for graduates. Some of the potential career paths for MBA graduates in HR are outlined below: 

• Recruitment Specialist: Responsible for acquiring talent, conducting interviews, and sourcing candidates
• HR Generalist: Handle several HR tasks like recruiting, onboarding, compliance, and maintaining employee relations
• HR Manager: Responsible for overseeing key HR functions like employee relations, recruitment, compliance, and performance management
• Director of Talent Management: Develop and execute strategies for acquiring talent, retaining it, and developing a strong pipeline of talent

Continual learning is pertinent to professional development in the field of HR, enabling employees to smoothly transition from entry-level to advanced roles in HR.

Take your career forward with Online Manipal

Manipal University of Jaipur (MUJ) offers online MBA degree with a specialization in HR to help equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills that assist them in their career advancement. Students are taught organizational behavior, employee relations management, and strategic HR planning and management.

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Conclusion

An MBA in HR can help prepare individuals for various HR functions by providing strategic, leadership, and analytical skills, as discussed in this blog. Online MBA programs add the advantage of convenience, flexibility, and self-paced learning. Take the next step to advance your HR career and contribute to your organizational success by enrolling in Manipal University Jaipur’s online MBA in HR today.