What can you do with a Human Resources Management degree?

First, some facts. Of the Human Resources 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 1716 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 64%, Human Resources Management graduates have a slightly lower likelihood (-3%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 64%
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 Resources Management graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Human Resources Management graduate and our analysis:


Relevance score: 91%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2022 from University of West Florida - College of Business with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration BSBA in Human Resources Management. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Jr Loan Officer
Navy Federal Credit Union
Feb 2022 - Jul 2022
The position as a Jr Loan Officer may require some general knowledge of human resources principles and interpersonal skills, but it does not fully leverage the core qualifications from a degree in Human Resources Management.

Supervisor of Consumer Lending
Navy Federal Credit Union
Jul 2022 - Present
As a Supervisor of Consumer Lending, the role likely demands extensive application of human resources management skills, including leadership, team development, and personnel management, making it highly relevant to the degree.

ABOUT

A demonstrated history of working in the financial services industry. Skilled in Interviewing, Finance, Administrative Assistance, Customer Service, and Data Entry. Strong finance professional with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration BSBA focused in Human Resoueces from University of West Florida - College of Business.

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

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


The analysis of job positions held by graduates with a degree in Human Resources Management reveals a diverse range of career paths taken by individuals across various industries. However, a clear pattern emerges regarding the relevance of these positions to the Human Resources field. Many graduates find roles that are directly tied to HR functions, while others end up in positions that merely touch upon HR principles without substantial application of core HR skills.

One of the most common job titles among these graduates is "Human Resources Generalist," which is highly relevant to their education. HR Generalists engage in various core HR functions like recruitment, employee relations, compliance, and training. Many individuals also identify as HR Managers or HR Business Partners, positions that require extensive application of HR principles and practices. These roles are critical in shaping organizational culture and operational efficiency, emphasizing the direct connection to the academic focus of their degree.

In contrast, multiple graduates occupy positions such as "Administrative Assistant," "Customer Service Representative," or roles in industries unrelated to HR, such as logistics or sales. These positions often do not fully utilize the specialized knowledge gained from a Human Resources Management degree. For instance, roles focusing on customer service or operational management may benefit from some interpersonal skills learned during their studies, yet they lack the necessary HR technicalities that define a comprehensive HR role.

Moreover, there are numerous instances where graduates serve in leadership roles, like "Operations Manager," that may involve human resources elements, but the core duties primarily center on different industry responsibilities—further diluting their application of HR principles. Even positions like "Recruiter" or "Talent Acquisition Specialist," while indeed relevant, can often lead to a narrower focus on recruitment, sometimes detaching them from broader HR functions related to employee development and compliance.

Overall, the most common job titles for Human Resources Management graduates include HR Generalist, HR Manager, and Talent Acquisition Specialist. While many find these roles that directly leverage their education, a significant number are either underusing their HR skills in unrelated fields or slipping into roles that do not demand comprehensive HR knowledge. This highlights the need for HR graduates to actively seek positions that align closely with their skill set to maximize the potential of their educational background.

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

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

When we look at the career trajectories of individuals who graduated with a degree in Human Resources Management, we can see a varied landscape that largely depends on when they graduated and their initial roles. Generally, fresh graduates often start in entry-level positions such as HR assistants, recruitment coordinators, or administrative roles. This trend is visible across the profiles analyzed, such as those from the University of Phoenix, where many graduates began their careers as HR assistants or in related administrative positions shortly after graduation.

Fast forward five to ten years later, many of these individuals have climbed the ladder, transitioning into more advanced roles such as HR managers, specialists, or directors. For instance, graduates from institutions like California State University and Rutgers University have moved on from initial roles to positions where they hold more responsibility, such as HR Business Partners or Enrollment Managers. This upward mobility indicates that many individuals with HR degrees stick to the field as they gain experience and skill, reflecting positively on the career prospects for HR graduates.

However, this picture isn’t universally rosy. Some graduates face challenges, leading them to jobs that stray away from the direct path of Human Resources. For instance, individuals who began in HR roles may find themselves pivoting to unrelated fields after a few years, as seen in profiles where some moved to managerial roles in completely different sectors, such as sales or operations. In contrast to those steadily progressing within HR, these individuals might struggle to align their jobs with their degree or may seek opportunities elsewhere for better financial stability or career satisfaction.

On the whole, it appears that most graduates with a background in Human Resources Management can find relevant positions in the field, especially with persistence and continued professional development. For those who stay within HR, there seems to be a clear pathway to advancement as they gain experience and take on additional responsibilities. The implication for high school students looking into HR careers is that while the field can provide fruitful opportunities, it’s also competitive, and success often hinges on networking, gaining experience through internships, or stepping into entry-level roles where they can learn the ropes of the industry.

How hard is a Human Resources Management degree?

Honestly, a Bachelor's degree in Human Resources Management is generally considered to be on the easier side compared to some other business degrees, but it really depends on your interests and strengths. If you enjoy working with people, studying organizational behavior, and learning about workplace laws, then you'll likely find most of the classes pretty engaging. There are definitely some challenging courses, especially in areas like labor relations or HR strategy, but overall, the workload is manageable, especially if you stay on top of your assignments and group projects. Just remember, like any degree, it will still require effort and dedication, but it can be a pretty enjoyable ride if you're into the subject matter!

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 Resources Management.

Do Human Resources Management graduates tend to make good money?

Looking at the career paths of the HR graduates you've pulled together, it’s clear that many of them have had quite a few roles and seem to be advancing in their professional lives. However, when it comes to making decent money, it really depends on their specific jobs and the industries they’re in. For instance, those in higher-level HR positions, especially in larger companies like Amazon and various healthcare organizations, likely have a good salary. On the other hand, there are also many graduates who have started or are still in entry-level roles or roles that traditionally don’t pay as high, like recruiting coordinators, which can sometimes lead to a slower financial progression.

Overall, while a lot of these individuals have potential for good earnings as their experience grows, it may not be so straightforward for everyone. Those who quickly climbed the ladder with a series of increasingly responsible positions could be doing well financially, while others are still working up to that point. So, in general, it’s a mixed bag: some are likely making decent money, but not all of them are in positions that pay well yet. It’s all about where they land and how quickly they can grow their careers!

What buzzwords do Human Resources 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 Resources Management. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Human Resources Management?

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

College Score Count
San Jose State University 83 14
Western Governors University 71 50
Saint Leo University 71 12
Davenport University 71 11
Capella University 70 15
Rutgers University 67 14
Southern New Hampshire University 66 30
Lindenwood University 64 11
DeVry University 63 31
University of Maryland Global Campus 61 22
Upper Iowa University 61 12
Columbia Southern University 59 28
Central Michigan University 57 15
Colorado Technical University 57 16
American InterContinental University 56 24
University of Phoenix 55 90
Ashford University 52 36
American Military University 52 13
Park University 52 21
University of Maryland University College 51 15
Strayer University 47 31