What can you do with a Human Resource Management degree?

First, some facts. Of the Human Resource Management graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 188 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 68%, Human Resource Management graduates have a slightly higher likelihood (+1%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 68%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, only 23% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Human Resource Management graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Human Resource Management graduate and our analysis:


Relevance score: 100%

We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2022 from Illinois State University with a Bachelor's degree in Human Resource Management. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Assistant Director of Personnel
Illinois State University
Apr 2022 - Feb 2023
As Assistant Director of Personnel, this role directly involves human resource management and applies the core skills and knowledge from a Bachelor's degree in Human Resource Management daily.

Human Resources Coordinator
School of Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Feb 2023 - May 2024
The position of Human Resources Coordinator entails responsibilities specifically related to human resources, using knowledge and skills from the Bachelors degree regularly.

Human Resources Generalist
School of Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison
May 2024 - Present
As a Human Resources Generalist, this job requires comprehensive application of human resource management principles and practices, aligning perfectly with the qualifications acquired in the Bachelor's program.

ABOUT

No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Human Resource Management degree?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


The data compiled from various LinkedIn profiles reveals a diverse range of career paths for individuals with a degree in Human Resource Management (HRM). Analyzing the job roles undertaken by these graduates, it is evident that a majority tend to gravitate towards positions that are intimately associated with HR functions, such as recruitment, HR coordination, and benefits administration. Roles like 'HR Generalist', 'Talent Acquisition Specialist', and 'HR Manager' show a strong inclination towards directly applying their HR knowledge and skills. Conversely, several graduates occupy positions where HR principles inform only a fraction of their tasks or even do not pertain to HR at all, as seen in roles like 'Sales Associate', 'Customer Service Representative', or those in unrelated fields such as finance and operations.

Moreover, it's essential to recognize how relevant these roles are to the field of Human Resource Management. While many of the positions directly utilize HR knowledge—such as crafting employee relations strategies, conducting recruitment, or managing benefits—there remains a significant number of jobs that lack direct ties to HR knowledge. For instance, roles that solely focus on administrative tasks or specific technical proficiencies may not fully leverage the comprehensive skill set gained from an HRM education. This trend indicates that while a considerable portion of degree holders finds relevant positions in HR, a notable percentage winds up in roles where their degree may not play a pivotal daily role. This diversity in career paths underscores the broader applicability of skills developed in HRM programs but also highlights a critical disconnect between education and employment within specialized HR roles.

In summary, graduates of Human Resource Management programs tend to land in a mix of directly relevant HR roles and those that exploit only fragments of their knowledge or skills. The data reflects a trend where many pursue careers directly tied to human resources, yet a substantial number find opportunities in unrelated fields, suggesting that the degree provides a valuable skill set transferrable across various roles, albeit with varying relevance to HR practices. This situation presents both a testament to the versatility of HR education and a challenge in aligning degrees with career aspirations in an increasingly diverse job market.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Human Resource Management graduates:

What kind of career trajectories do Human Resource Management graduates have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

When we dive into the career paths of graduates with Human Resource Management degrees, we find a mixed bag of outcomes, but there's a clear trend emerging. Many of these graduates start in entry-level positions or internships right out of college, often finding roles such as HR assistants, administrative coordinators, or administrative interns. This makes sense since these positions provide the foundational experience they need to develop their skills in HR processes, policies, and people management.

Five to ten years down the road, the picture becomes more diverse. A significant portion of these former graduates seems to find their footing within the HR field, advancing to roles like HR generalist, recruiter, and HR business partner. This trajectory points to an ability to move up within companies and take on more responsibility, aligning well with their academic background. Notably, some even reach senior positions such as HR directors or managers, indicating strong growth potential within their careers. However, not all graduates follow a linear path; some have moved away from HR entirely, which can suggest varied experiences and personal choices that may reflect in their career satisfaction and success.

That said, there are several instances where graduates have ended up in roles that don't exactly scream "human resources." For instance, some transitioned into completely different industries or took positions like sales associates, classroom teachers, or even account managers. These deviations can mean that not all graduates are landing good, relevant roles, or perhaps they found other passions that diverted them from HR. It's essential to keep in mind that while many have successful and relevant careers, several do feel a stronger pull toward areas outside their degree’s focus.

Overall, the career trajectories of these HR graduates show promise in terms of relevance to their field. With a good chunk of them sticking to HR roles over time, it seems that those who genuinely embrace the essence of Human Resource Management often find rewarding paths in their careers. So, while there's a mix of success stories, it's fair to say that many graduates do manage to build solid careers around their passions and studies, even if not everyone sticks strictly to the HR domain.

How hard is a Human Resource Management degree?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management can be considered pretty manageable compared to some other degrees out there. It's not like you're diving deep into complex math or science, but you will have to deal with concepts related to behavior, communication, and organizational dynamics, which can be a bit tricky if you’re not into that stuff. That said, if you’re someone who's good at working with people and can handle some group projects and presentations, you’ll likely find it to be a solid fit. So, it's not the easiest degree in the world, but it’s definitely not the hardest either—kind of right in the middle!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Human Resource Management.

Do Human Resource Management graduates tend to make good money?

Looking at this list of HR graduates, it seems like most of them have been on a steady climb in their careers, which generally indicates decent earning potential. For example, many have moved from entry-level positions like HR Assistant or Coordinator to more senior roles such as HR Manager, Specialist, or even Director. This upward mobility is often accompanied by salary increases, especially in companies with structured pay bands. Additionally, being in a field like HR, which is integral to almost every business, usually results in relatively stable job positions that pay reasonably well over time.

However, there are a few profiles that indicate more non-traditional paths or roles that may not bring in as much income. For instance, some graduates took roles as administrative assistants or entry-level HR personnel for extended periods before transitioning into more specialized HR jobs. While those roles can provide valuable experience, they often don't pay particularly well at the start. Overall, most of these graduates seem to be doing fine financially, but the variability is definitely there based on the roles they've chosen and the speed at which they’ve advanced in their careers.

What buzzwords do Human Resource Management graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Human Resource Management. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Human Resource Management?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Human Resource Management (ordered by the average relevance score of their Human Resource Management graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count