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What's a good major for hopeful human resource managers?

I am transferring to a four-year school with an associate's degree in liberal arts and I think I want to be a human resources manager? I don't know what the best major would be that would give me the skills and experience to do that.

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Sabrina’s Answer

Congratulations Emilia!! I took this path myself and have been working in HR for almost 20 years now! You've received a lot of good advice here on majors and I agree that all of these are applicable. I'd also add Organizational Effectiveness and Sociology as options as well. I'd encourage you to look at getting HR type experiences while getting your degree. Volunteer to be a recruiter for an organization at school. Look for programs at school that will give you work in the field of HR. HR is a giant field so think about if you want to focus on one area - like recruiting, benefits, compensation, development, etc - or if you'd like to be a generalist and have a handle on it all. I'd also encourage you to look at SHRM and HRCI. Both are accrediting bodies for HR and have student memberships available which is good for networking and knowledge building. Best to you in your studies!!
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much Sabrina! I really appreciate your insightful advice. I will have to look into SHRM and HRCI. I haven't heard of those before- there's so much to learn! Emilia
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Sara’s Answer

Hello! I think business is the best major for Human Resource Management, but it ultimately depends on what college you will be attending. Some colleges have a specific Human Resource major, while some do not. However, if that is the case, I think business management will be the best route to take. Also, try getting involved with organizations that pertain to human resource management! I hope this helps. :)
Thank you comment icon Thank you for answering my question, Sara! I will look into getting involved in different organizations. Emilia
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Stephanie’s Answer

Hi! I would suggest business management and a minor in psychology. I have many friends in HR and its a great field to be as it has both the business side component and very interpersonal (depending on which area - such as recruiting or development). Best of luck!

Stephanie recommends the following next steps:

College advisor and confirm best -r most appropriate path school has to offer condidering which field of HR you'd like to get into.
Thank you comment icon Thank you for your insight, Stephanie! I am currently looking into getting a degree in management and potentially picking up a minor as well. Emilia
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Gloria’s Answer

HI Emilia,

I would have to agree with my fellow HR peers on a business degree being a great program for an HR professional in general. However, I would challenge you to think about what you want to do in HR and maybe focus a bit more based on that answer. For example, I am considered an HR professional as an Instructional Designer. That requires a focus on Learning and Development. My degree was in Instructional and Performance Technologies, which is very specific. Peers who do my same job also have degrees in English, Computer Science, Graphic Design, and Education. As you can see, this one subset of Human Resources can allow for a wide variety of degree options. I would say that Psychology is also very beneficial since Human Resources has a very emotional element to it. A high Emotional Intelligence is a critical skill for Human Resource professionals in most roles.

Gloria
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Diana’s Answer

Hello, the best major is business in my opinoin. HR is a critical role in all organizations and therefore understanding how business works will really help. I also believe in business major there are alot of courses that relate to HR as well as a major.
Thank you comment icon Hi Diana! Thank you so much for your insight. I will definitely look into applying as a business major at my four-year school. Emilia
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Natalie’s Answer

Hello! I have found that many HR managers have many different degrees. Some popular options are Psychology, Business Administration, Human Resources, Organizational Development.
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Alfredo’s Answer

Hi Emilia,

While I agree with most of their recommendations, I would also suggest to get a minor in a non-traditional business path so that you can add more value to the business you will be in as it will give you a broader perspective. By this I mean accounting, finance, marketing, economics, and so on. Only by strengthening your knowledge in these areas you will become a more complete professional.

Best of luck!
Thank you comment icon Thank you for answering my question, Alfredo! I will definitely look into a non-traditional minor when I move onto my four-year school. Emilia
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Elena’s Answer

Hi! It depends on the programs your school offers. A couple of good options would be:

Business
Human Resources Management (some business programs may offer this as a focus)
Psychology
Industrial Organizational Psychology

I would personally recommend doing something more broad like Business and a lot of places offer Human Resources Certificate courses which you can do in additional that way you have a lot of business knowledge and the certificate program teaches you job specific knowledge!
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Laura’s Answer

Hi Emilia, that is a great question! I have been in the HR profession for around 5 years now. I received my degree in Communication Studies along with a minor in Psychology. I believe a degree in business, communications, along with taking classes in Psychology will be important if you want to get into the HR field. Taking some public speaking, conflict resolution, and arbitration courses could be useful as well since you will be put into situations and potentially have to mediate between an employee and a manager.

Another great resource is to ask a school counselor what courses or routes you can take. I hope all works out for you!
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Kevin’s Answer

Good Morning Emilia!

That's great that you are looking for a career in HR! I would suggest a few different routes. First a major in business. It will give you a solid understanding of how corporations work so when you get into HR who have a broad understanding of the ins and outs of what your employees do. Second, communications. Effective communications is of the utmost importance in HR. Third, some schools actually have HR programs; you may want to check out if the schools you are interested in do! Have a great day.
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Laura’s Answer

Hi Emilia! I personally think majoring in business or psychology would be suitable for a role in HR. There should be multiple courses related to human resource management offered in business schools. I also recommended Psychology as the skillsets you would obtain in this major relates to those desired for an HR role.
Thank you comment icon Thank you Laura! I really appreciate you taking the time to answer my question! Emilia
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Kristen’s Answer

Hi Emilia! I have been in HR for about seven years and had no idea that this is where I would land. I majored in Business Administration and I feel that that major had prepared me greatly for a role in HR as it helped me understand the way companies and businesses work since I work so closely the business. One major, I wish I had taken alongside my business major was communications. In HR, you do a lot of communicating and I feel this would have helped me greatly! Some schools also offer HR programs/courses which I would recommend. Good luck to you!
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