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KD -

Thanks for your recent article in Workforce Week, "What Are HR Certifications Worth?"  It answered a question that's been rolling around in my brain for a while, and prompted me to look more closely at the possibility of certification.

I was hoping you'd be kind enough to tell me what you think of programs offering a Master of Arts in Human Resources.  I am currently "doing" Human Resources in a large public setting (200+ employees), but have no business degree or other credentials for the job; I have a Masters in a non-HR Field.  I am extremely happy in the job and have no intention of leaving, but realize that conditions could always take a turn for the worst when our director retires, and I don't want to be stuck if I should suddenly be miserable in my job.  So I'm kind of looking for an employability safety net, but I have no interest in going back for nearly four years of full-time schooling in order to obtain a bachelor's level business degree.

Is the MA in HR worth anything?  Or would you recommend going the certification route?  Or something else entirely?

Shirley
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Shirley -

Thanks for the question.  I've seen the same situation with others, and first up, you're smart for looking forward and trying to figure out the best way to maximize your career.  In answering your question, I'm making the assumption, since you are willing to chase a Masters in HR, that you enjoy and are motivated by the HR side of your job.  Is that correct?  Good...

Now, assuming you are looking to maximize your positioning as a HR Pro, I have some pretty specific advice for you since you're not currently in a HR title.  Here's my rundown of what I would have you do...

--First up, I would meet with your director and explore the possibility of moving you into a pure HR title, such as HR Generalist, HR Representative, etc.  Although you didn't say this, it sounded like you might be in another type of role.  The biggest thing that is going to help you land in an HR spot, from where you are, is ensuring you have a HR title that people like me would recognize.

--On the education front, you already have a Masters, but it's in a field that won't get a lot of play from HR hiring types.  With this in mind, if you choose to go back to school, I would diversify yourself by pursuing a MBA instead of a Masters in HR.  The MBA will still hold value to HR hiring types, and combined with a solid HR title in your current job, it's the best combo that would get you hired in your next position.  The MBA also gives you options other than HR if you burn out.  You've already got one very specific MA, no need to go for another narrowly defined degree.

--Finally, if you have a gap before you start the MBA program, I would pursue the certification.  As you saw in my article, there aren't hard numbers regarding ROI, but at the very least it is a resume' sorter that will help you get in the "yes" stack.  With your academic background, you'll work on it and more than likely pass the exam the first time.

Good luck and let me know if I can do anything to help you...

KD