Why Study Human Resources Management?

We often think of an organization’s assets in terms of cash, inventory, buildings, equipment, and other tangible assets. However, another intangible ‘asset’ can make or break the success of today’s businesses. We’re talking about employees. This is where human resources management comes in. This discipline “involves the effective use of personnel, aimed at improving the organization’s performance,” according to Management Study HQ.

Thinking of pursuing a career in this vital field? Read on for a roundup of four reasons to study human resources management, along with one great school to study the subject.

1. You will face new challenges everyday

A hallmark of human resources management is diversity. According to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), “Numerous varied challenges confront HR professionals, who must be capable of handling situations that arise daily in the workplace. If you choose HR as your profession, patience and flexibility will be necessary as you interact with people of widely differing levels of experience, intelligence, emotional intelligence, education, knowledge, skills and abilities. In the early stages of your career, you also will be involved in compliance-related work that demands close attention to detail, a strong knowledge of business and well-developed communication skills.”

So if you are looking for variety in a career, you will find it in HR management. Human resources management studies, meanwhile, can help you learn the skills and tools you need to navigate the diversity of human resources-related issues which arise.

2. You will be an advocate for employees

The phrase “human resources” may sound technical and uninteresting, but in a sense, it is merely a fancy way of saying “people” -- and most HR managers would agree that people are anything but uninteresting. If the prospect of working with many different people while helping to devise solutions for a variety of challenges sounds exciting to you, then studies and a career in human resources management may be a perfect fit.

These are more than challenges, though -- they are opportunities. HR expert Aadil Bandukwala adds, “Everyday we’re given a chance to create meaningful and lasting relationships, learn new things, live our passions and solve complex problems that can impact the lives of millions of people.” Meanwhile, Gemma Dale, co-founder of The Work Consultancy, says she loves “the opportunity to make people’s working lives better [...].”

3. Your skills will be in great demand

Experts are anticipating increasing demand for human resources managers. In the US, for example, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts a growth rate of nine percent between the years of 2016 and 2026. The BLS’ Occupational Outlook Handbook explains, “As new companies form and organizations expand their operations, they will need more human resources managers to oversee and administer their programs. [...] Human resources managers also will be needed to ensure that firms adhere to changing and complex employment laws regarding occupational safety and health, equal employment opportunity, healthcare, wages, and retirement plans.”

This promising outlook is not limited to the US. The global human resource management market size is projected to skyrocket to $30 billion by 2025, with a 10.4 percent growth rate over the same time period, according to Grand View Research, Inc. “Increasing need for managing widespread workforce and growing demand for replacing legacy systems with improved human capital management platforms are anticipated to fuel market growth,” proposes the report.

Also positively impacting the global human resource management market? Technological proliferation and increased cloud deployment.

Not only that, but this growth is anticipated across all sectors, including healthcare, financial services, automotive, government, technology, manufacturing, and energy. In short, all companies -- no matter how big or small -- need people with HR management expertise.

While job opportunities will be abundant, so will the competition for the best positions. One way to gain an inside edge? Advanced studies. “Candidates with certification or a master’s degree -- particularly those with a concentration in human resources management -- should have the best job prospects,” says the BLS.

4. You’ll enjoy a high earning potential

Given the high demand for HR managers, it follows that salaries are high, as well. According to data from Payscale, the average global human resources manager salary is $82,952. Most can also expect additional cash compensation in the form of everything from cash bonuses to profit sharing. Opportunities for career growth and advancement add to the list of reasons why HR management has the potential to be as lucrative as it is fulfilling.

5. Rome Business School is waiting

So a master’s degree in HR management can be a key differentiator for aspiring leaders in the field. This is where Rome Business School’s Master in International Human Resources Management comes in.

Designed to offer world-class training to human resources professionals who aspire to excel in the international job market, this innovative degree program comprises an understanding of general management issues. Available in online, on-campus, full-time, executive and professional formulas, this English-taught master’s degree has six months of lectures and six months of final project work and an internship.

Rome Business School

Depending on your unique wants and needs, the full-time on-campus track constitutes an especially compelling and immersive option. Alongside students from 152 different countries, you will have the opportunity to participate in many enriching experiences -- from classroom lectures to case study analyses to company visits. The face-to-face networking opportunities are second to none.

Full-time students also gain access to guaranteed internships all over the world. Lasting at least three months, these internships give students the chance to get an up-close-and-personal view of management models in some of the world’s leading business cities, including Dubai, New York, London, Paris, Berlin, and countless others across the globe.

Today’s multinational companies are more complex than ever, as is today’s evolving HR landscape. The best way to position yourself for success at the international level? Studies in International HR management.

Article written in association with Rome Business School.