To ask about career opportunities in HR?

[ArsenalsPlayingAtHome]

Sorry to stick this in AIBU, but I need the traffic.

I'm considering studying for an MSc in Human Resource Management. DH seems to think that it could well be a waste of time. Firstly, because I have no experience in this field, and secondly, because he doesn't think their are many job opportunities in this field in the North West.

Could anyone with any knowledge please shed some light? Also, if you work in this field - do you find it to be a rewarding career?

TIA.

There are loads of HR roles in the NW. you usually have to start at the bottom, or have some transferable experience - have you run big teams before (E.g.: run a store or a call centre)?

It’s not a career to go into if you “like” people as you’ll spend a lot of time dealing with problems, whether individual cases or large scale change and redundancies.

I love it though, it’s really varied and you can make such a difference to people’s lives.

I'm really glad I did my MSc. Is your course CIPD accredited? Your partner is wrong as in my experience most HR jobs need people to have HR qualifications.
I met a friend on my course who hadn't worked in HR before and she ended up working in my team as the manager was so impressed that she was self funding her Msc.
Get reading People management so you know what's going on in the industry. Think about how the work you have already done is relevant to HR.
All the best. And enjoy the course, I loved it.

There are lots of different areas of HR but shared services might be a good place to start. You'll start out as a HR administrator, then you can study for your CIPD part time. Lots of big companies have shared service centres in the north west so lots of opportunities.

My BF is an HR Advisor for the NHS and has been looking for a move, for the past couple of years. There are barely any jobs in the local area (Glasgow), and any she does come across are usually 6 month contracts, rather than permemnant roles. She completed a MSc in HR.

I did the CIPD course part time whilst working. Apply for jobs in the field. Firms recruit grads and let you have time off for doing the course. If you don’t have a degree, the masters would work but doing CIPD is vital at some point.

Thanks Hermione.

My work history is patchy to be honest. I was a SAHM for several years, then since my youngest started school, I've done low paid and low skilled jobs that fit around my family and DH's very demanding job.

I can pad out my CV because I have helped with my DH's business, but not in a HR role - it's a small company. The prospectus says that the course is suitable for people who are wanting to get into this field as much as those with experience in it.

I'm in my early 40s and have never had a career, although I graduated 12 years ago. I know I've left it late, but it's never bothered me till now.

Hi OP, go for it! I’m not in NW but think there are always jobs in HR. I would suggest getting some experience as well though, as an HR Administrator or Assistant HR Officer, alongside your study you will be able to progress your career a lot quicker and the experience will make the MSc easier.

As for rewarding, it can be tough as often dealing with difficult people and HR seem to be the go to for anything, however lots of variety, constant learning and you never know what the day will bring!! Lots of areas to specialise in so some less contentious than others. Good luck!

Thanks everyone.

I'll check tomorrow on the level of CIPD that I'll come out with at the end of it. I'm hoping it will be a Level 7.
Whenwillwe can I ask what Level CIPD qualification your MSc got you?

I'll be doing it through the OU, I think. My local university runs a course, but it isn't CIPD accredited, so I think I'd be better studying through the OU.

Will definitely try and get some experience alongside studying. Thanks.

Yes course will need to be CIPD accredited.And no you’ve not left it too late
Change is daunting, you just need to make small steps to progress your goal
Do check out the local job market for HR check it’s a course that there’s a demand for

Good luck, it’s exciting time to be choosing a course and initiating a change

Yes my MSc was level 7 and glad you are looking for an accredited course. A friend did hers via the CIPD but distance. It was a few years ago now but it was badly run, they lost some
Of her essays and she never got the qualification.
I moved to HR when I was 30 and so glad I did.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to go for it after these replies.

I did look into doing the CIPD courses, starting at Level 3, rather than an MSc, but it would have taken 4 year. Initially I would have to go in the evening, which would clash with DH's hours, so childcare wise, would be more difficult to fit in.

This way it will cost thousands of pounds more, but short term will be less of a nightmare in terms of evening childcare. Also, I don't think I would have been able to get a student loan for a Level 3 or 5 qualification, but can get one for an MSc/MA. The MSc route will only take 2/3 years as opposed to 4 via the CIPD route.

Whenwillwe I'll get a subscription to People, or the HR ladies at my work will probably let me have their copy when they've finished reading it.

Appreciate all the advice. Thanks again.

The CIPD stand alone qualification is not great. You’re much better off doing the MSc even if it’s not CIPD accredited.

Thanks.

Does anyone out there working in HR think that I might be shooting myself in the foot here though?

If I've got a masters in HR & a Level 7 qualification CIPD, won't it look a bit ridiculous if the only experience I've got is very limited and voluntary based?

Hermione I'm surprised at that re CIPD qulaifications. Everyone in HR where I work is working their way up the CIPD qualifications, & wouldn't have got their jobs without having at least a Level 3.

Lots of jobs will specify CIPD or equivalent (which the masters would be). The people recruiting can’t justify why. Personally, I couldn’t care less.

Have you thought about getting a role in HR and doing your qualification alongside it? You’ll probably get more out of it with some n the job experience. You’ll also need a topic for your dissertation, and that will normally require access to a workplace for your research.

Yes Hermione that would be my preference, but I really need to stay in my current job for at least the next 18 months/2 years or so.

This is because the hours fit perfectly around my children and other commitments, & I don't have far to travel. I'd be hard pushed to find a job with better hours. I'm thinking that HR jobs are likely to be office hours, which would mean forking out for breakfast and/or after school clubs.

Also, at the moment I'm working PT, which gives me the time to crack on with a more demanding course.

IKWYM though, I'm running the risk of doing it all the wrong way round & being overly qualified with bugger all experience.

Thanks to everyone who's come up with advice & ideas.

I have the Msc in HTM which I took following the Post grad Diploma in HTM
This was years ago.

I worked in training and in Industrial Relations. I became a Lecturer after that.

I found it very interesting but I was never a HR "Generalist". I found HR quite a faddy discipline. And not about "working with people" at all, really. . It was mainly about systems.

HRM!

Can I ask how long you worked in HR before becoming a lecturer, buggerthe botox?

arsenals I started off in training, as a manager and trainer, and I was also the local union lay representative. I then got a job in a fairly niche area of trade union training.

I ended up in Lecturing by accident. This was after about 20 years.

NB: I'd qualified as a teacher as well.

I loved Lecturing but HRM was only part of my remit. I covered business and management as well.

Working in HR is about keeping the company that you work for out of court. It is about systems, law and policy. If you manage to persuade the company that people are worth investing in, then it can be about developing people but usually for the needs of the company not their own self-expression.

Just be aware that if you are a people person you often have to do things that you don't like doing, because your focus is keeping the company out of court. That is the reason companies have HR professionals. And in my experience the worse the company is the more 'qualified' the HR professional.

I agree with the pp.

There's a misconception that HR is a fluffy, "people" career. It's not.

Watching with interest as i could have written the op.
My local college offers the CIPD HR Practice Foundation course, part time over a year. I'm planning to do that and keep my McJob while studying but look for an HR admin/assistant role once I've started (as I have very little actual HR experience) and see where it takes me... I think.

I've recently completed an MSc in HR that I studied part-time. I'm not currently working on HR, but a slightly related project management/people relations sort of role in the NW.

My sister works in HR in the NW - there are a lot of jobs around at the Advisor and above level; the hardest part is getting your foot in the door at the administrator level.

Thanks again for the advice.

Hotty that's what I want to do, but can't afford the tuition fees for that course, & wouldn't get a loan. Grrr!

If you don't mind me asking, are you self funding?

That's interesting, Teardrop. I've been guilty of thinking....I'd be really well suited to this, because I'm a good people-person. That gives it another angle!