Workplaces are being disrupted dynamically, and Human Resource (HR) professionals must adapt quickly. Market growth is fueled by adopting HR technology to automate operations, run analytics and store data securely. According to an IMARC report, the Indian HR technology market was valued at US$850 million in 2021.
Recent workplace trends such as hybrid work, flexible work policies, a people-first culture, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives have led to a seismic shift in how the HR function is viewed. It is no longer just the department that manages the entire life cycle of an employee. In a time of mass layoffs and resignations, it is an integral part of the organisation that helps companies hire top talent and nurture them to retain them.
As a potential MBA in HR candidate, you are preparing to step into an exciting world of people management bolstered by predictive analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML).
Let us look at the top MBA in HR career options currently trending:
Internal Career Options
After you complete your MBA in HR, you could take up any of these internal company roles:
1. Distraction Prevention Coach
A distraction prevention coach helps employees focus their attention inward to align their intuitions and values and outward to make sense of the world around them. They help employees understand and manage stress and thus improve their effectiveness and productivity.
2. Director of Well-Being
The COVID-19 pandemic has placed the focus firmly on physical and mental well-being. As Director of Well-Being, you will be responsible for devising and executing wellness programs that align with the organisation’s vision and values. Your focus will be on integrating physical and mental wellness into the organisation’s culture.
3. Talent Acquisition Manager
Talent is a vital asset in any organisation’s workflow that impacts productivity. As a talent acquisition manager, you will handle recruitment through consulting agencies, at college campuses and internally.
4. Training and Development Manager
Regular training and development sessions keep the organisation’s engine well-oiled to meet employees’ short-term and long-term needs. You will plan and execute training and development programs as a training and development manager. You need to hone your technical and social skills to get the most out of these programs.
5. Labour/Employee Relations Manager
Every operating geography must adhere to statutory rules and compliances related to labour laws, work environment, work ethics, wages, health benefits, pension and retirement benefits. Managing these aspects is the responsibility of the labour/employee relations manager. It requires you to keep up-to-date with developments in all these aspects and implement them in the organisation.
6. HR Analytics Specialist
An HR analytics specialist requires a fresh and trained mind to research and analyse HR information and deliver new insights. Identifying areas of improvement can be a rewarding responsibility in this role. Examples are:
- Increasing per-employee cost efficiency
- Identifying training needs
- Recommending changes to HR managers
7. Gig Economy Manager
Following companies like Google that work on an internal talent marketplace model, many companies will soon move people around in projects, teams or roles. A gig economy manager liaises with various internal and external stakeholders to handle day-to-day tasks and queries.
8. Work From Home Facilitator
With remote work here to stay, a work-from-home facilitator’s job is crucial to keep the cogs of the business running smoothly. Their job is to ensure that remote workers have the tools and technology they need to put in their best. Among their key responsibilities are assessing, budgeting and adopting digital collaboration tools for remote employees.
9. Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO)
HR covers all internal employee resources, associated assets, processes, training, rules and regulations. It also encompasses socio-economical, legal and technological aspects associated with people. Thus, the HR function impacts an organisation’s overall performance.
A CHRO role oversees each of these HR responsibilities and works closely with other departments like finance, sales, manufacturing and services to deploy HR strategies, policies and goals.
External Career Options
Companies also hire external consultants to fill an internal gap in expertise. Some of these roles include:
10. Executive Recruiter
Executive recruiters help organisations identify and hire senior management talents such as CEOs, Directors and C-level executives.
11. HR Consultant
An HR consultant delivers services across a variety of HR functions. These services can be as diverse as implementing HRIS (Human Resource Information System) to expert consulting for HR strategy.
12. HR Counsellor
A specialised role that combines expertise in psychology (industrial, counselling, etc.) and HR, the HR counsellor provides group and individual counselling and consulting.
13. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Consultants
CSR consultants work with government schemes, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and corporate CSR teams. They design CSR programmes, define messaging, identify main partners, and gather support to make their CSR initiatives effective. Driving social initiatives amongst communities is at the heart of this role.
Conclusion
You can choose among the wide variety of MBA in HR career options depending on what sort of role appeals to you. An MBA in Human Resource Management is a great launch pad for individuals who want to make a difference to people in organisations and communities. Since you can also pursue the program via the ODL mode, you can add value to your resume and skills without putting your career on hold.
