Here’s why HR professionals should consider getting an MBA

HR professionals who are looking to advance their career into senior positions that require more authority or responsibility should heed that a strong résumé is only part of the equation. Having the education to complement your experience can be an important step towards taking your career to the next level and in getting noticed by prospective employers.

An MBA can be a great way to build knowledge from an HR professional’s prior education, in addition to complementing the skills they’ve acquired over the course of their careers. It’s also a great way to boost their earnings.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that the median pay for HR managers is US$116,720 per year. But MBA graduates stand to earn much more, albeit, with factors including their MBA  specialisation, the business school they graduate from as well as the industry graduates intend to work in.

BusinessBecause notes that doing a full-time MBA may be worth an additional US$20,000 a year in the US jobs market immediately after graduation while an MBA from a top school can get graduates six figures of total compensation.

They add that the average of the 12 US business schools whose MBAs net the highest salaries is US$174,000.

Qualify for more senior positions across a range of industries

BLS projects employment of management occupations to grow 7% from 2018 to 2028, faster than the average for all occupations, which will result in about 706,900 new jobs. 

“Employment growth is expected to be driven by the formation of new organisations and expansion of existing ones, which should require more workers to manage these operations,” they said.

HR professionals who pursue an MBA will also find that they will qualify for a wider range of roles upon graduating, as MBAs typically improve one’s chances of landing a senior or top executive position across a range of industries.

For those who don’t intend to change industries or their jobs, an MBA can help improve their job security as the additional knowledge and skills can help you further add value to your current organisation. 

In addition to equipping students with managerial and leadership skills, MBAs also help students develop a broad view of managerial topics, including in areas such as marketing, entrepreneurship, accounting and economics, to name a few.

Widen your professional network

The old adage goes, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” 

One of the benefits of pursuing an MBA is also about the networking opportunities it affords to build your professional network with your classmates – who may have diverse backgrounds – in addition to your lectures as well as industry contacts. 

Many MBA programmes also offer current students a chance to network with their alumni, which can serve as an invaluable platform for students to gain advice from their seniors and potential resources for future job openings. 

It’s clear that the credential has plenty to bring to the table for HR professionals, which makes it an area worth upskilling in.