A bachelor’s degree is typically required for entry-level human resources (HR) jobs, such as HR assistant and staffing coordinator. However, for those who aspire to senior-level roles such as HR manager, director of HR, vice president of HR and chief HR officer, an advanced degree may be preferred or required.

According to the 2022 GMAC Corporate Recruiters Survey, HR is one of the top 10 job functions in which employers are seeking candidates with a Master of Business Administration (MBA).

The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (TAM-CC) online MBA program prepares graduates with the business management and leadership skills to take their careers to the next level in spaces that combine business and people skills. In particular, with an MBA, HR professionals gain the business foundation necessary to serve as strategic partners in achieving organizational goals.

Why Is a Shared Skill Set in HR and Business Strategy Important?

While the roles of HR professionals and business managers may initially seem unrelated, the skill sets go hand in hand to meet financial objectives.

Consider engaged employees: a company’s most valuable resource. SHRM defines employee engagement as “the level of an employee’s commitment and connection to an organization.” Engaged employees care about their performance and work hard to achieve business goals. They are more innovative and productive, and they are likely to say positive things about their company, making them great brand ambassadors.

Employee engagement has become a strategic priority as employers struggle with hiring and retaining workers. According to Gallup, replacing one employee can cost a company from one-half to two times the individual’s annual salary. For a mid-size company, the cost savings that come with retention can add up to over $2 million each year.

Gallup also reports that employee engagement can decrease turnover by 18% to 43%. Yet, only 21% of employees report being “engaged.” What if you could keep your top performers on board? As a Chron article explains, HR and business managers with shared skill sets can work together to address and resolve employee concerns to keep their company on track with its financial goals.

How Can Artificial Intelligence Advance HR Goals?

It may seem counterintuitive to turn to technology to solve problems like employee engagement. After all, employee engagement centers on the emotional connections employees feel in their work. But artificial intelligence (AI) tools are helping HR leaders gain new insights and make smarter decisions.

As Forbes writer Anand Inamdar explains, “people analytics can help simplify the ‘human’ aspect of HR by applying the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to large datasets of people and complex business problems. From identifying issues that cause retention problems to suggesting improvements in staff engagement and management behavior, proper people analytics practices can amplify the positive effects HR can have.”

An MBA program such as TAMU-CC’s can help HR professionals strengthen technical, analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills to stand out in a job search.

Why Is TAMU-CC’s MBA a Smart Investment for HR Professionals?

TAMU-CC’s MBA program prepares aspiring HR professionals with the strategic business and leadership skills employers seek. Areas of emphasis include:

  • Using software-based business solutions to analyze and solve business problems
  • Communicating effectively with diverse audiences, including stakeholders, both orally and in writing
  • Developing strategic initiatives to reach business objectives, with attention to international, environmental, legal and ethical considerations
  • Analyzing the impact of administrative decisions on organizational outcomes
  • Applying principles of organizational behavior, such as conflict management, team building and work environment

In addition to supporting career advancement, earning an MBA typically pays off through higher compensation. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for HR managers is $126,230, with the highest 10% earning more than $208,000. Starting salaries for MBA graduates top those offered to bachelor’s graduates by 22% to 40%, according to the GMAC survey mentioned earlier.

Do your professional goals include pursuing senior-level HR roles? Earning an MBA can help you build the management and leadership skills to land the best jobs. With TAMU-CC’s online MBA, you can prepare to reach new levels in your career and increase your earning potential in as few as 12 months.

Learn more about TAMU-CC’s online MBA program.