Poll of the Week: Do HR Leaders Need Degrees?
Tuesday March 7, 2006
Polls are popular online so I am introducing a new weekly poll. I'll be interested in your feedback. Voting will be easy and when you vote for your preferred answer, you will be able to see the current results. From a topic, I discussed earlier this week that is also generating some discussion in the Forum, the question is whether HR leaders need degrees.
Poll: Does a Human Resources leader need a degree?
Poll: Does a Human Resources leader need a degree?
- Absolutely. I wouldn't hire one without a degree.
- Most likely. Only degreed candidates have the background and skill set necessary for today's HR leader.
- Probably. There are too many candidates that have degrees to settle for one without a degree.
- It depends. Some HR leaders have experience that trumps the need for a degree.
- No. An HR leader does not need a degree.
- Absolutely not. An HR leader never needs a degree.
- View Results
Comments
Yes, it is better to have a degree in addition to experience in HRM.
I do not think HR proessionals need a degree. I have been in HR for 7 years. I have a BA in Creative Arts and have learned everything I do on the job using resources.
I know in my current role I beat a candiate that had a MA in HR. Questions that I nailed, she could not even answer.
A degree means nothing.
Hiring manager who make the decision to discount candidates without degrees, may very well miss out on a candidate that can contribute much more to the organization. I have worked with many HR professional during my 7 years in the field. I can say that while a degree may benefit some, in does not benefit all. Perception wise, but not performance wise. Human Resources is about people! Some people get that, some don’t. It can’t be taught in a class room. A lack of understanding people can be detrimental to the HR process. I have 3 college credits. However, during my years in HR I have been valued by those who know my work. And have never missed out on a promotion. In reviewing the result of the poll, it is quite clear that there is a lack of knowledge out there as to what makes a good HR professional. I have experiencd this in my job search, although not with those who know my work. That said, I will be working towards a degree. Just a note; I have seen as many highly educated individuals fail in their positions.
Yes a Human Resource need a professional Degree with practical Exposure
No, a degree is not necessary. I am a successful Human Capital Manager and have been for several years without a 4-year degree.
#4 – You need a course in written communications.
My thoughts are that it is not necessary to have a degree – Human Resources is about people, and you either have it or you don’t. Continuing Education to stay current is more important. Smart employers look at that more so than a 20 year -old dusty degree.
well acording to me both are valid..coz if u hav a degree then u must be updated atleast more than that person who has not…n on other side i must say that the person who has not degree will be at dat level of graduate person after having experiance …so both hav 2 rush in geting uptodate information . the person having degree whn comes in to field experinace tht things in real practical life…then he studied that before where as the one who has not degree…knows after experiancing that work…thanks…comment about my views..
I don’t think HR professionals need a degree
Yes. Its really essential to have a degree in Hr as a Generalist HR I have undergone lot of training
It all about how smart one is.With a degree or without one can be a good HR leader.
Yes, One HR Leader needs to have a degree to get familiar with DOs & DON’Ts. But more importantly he/she must possess the intellectual to convert theory in to practice in real time.
So degree is not merely the decisive factor but the degrees of IQ too does matter
I think that whilst it is probably not essential to have a degree, it does give you a distinct advantage over someone who doesn’t. I am entering my final year of a 3 year Human Resource Management degree and have so far covered everything from Employment Law to International Management. I also have to do many of the modules that students on straight business degrees do so you acquire a very good understanding of how an organization works and interacts as a whole. But I think as long as someone is willing to keep up to date with the latest legislation and has a genuine passion about HRM then you’d be fine. It is constantly evolving though so whether you have a degree or not, you NEED to keep up to date with the literature and reviews over topics such as talent management and employee relations.
Well, I believe what really matters is the out put and know how, and not the degree. If the selection depends solely on the degree one has, then we will surely miss those with experience and little education.
I’m with Jennifer!
Yes – today’s HR professional needs a degree! HR departments are no longer seen as a “paper pushing” department. The role of HRM has become more strategic. In order for an HR professional to add the organizations strategy it is imperative they posses a degree. I would NEVER hire an HR Director or above without at LEAST a four year degree. And a SVP of HR should have a masters or MBA. PERIOD! Those who disagree probably never went to school.
Yes, HR is about managing human capital, but it is much more than that.
I think the degree can be useful, but sometimes it is not needed. It all depends on his/her expertise and Management support.
I am 55 years old and would have finished my degree in 1977. What would I have learned between 1973 and 1977 that is relative to the HR world today or that I have not learned via 20 + years of practical hands-on HR experience?
I suspect not much.
After looking at the above comments and the poor grammar used from the brain thrust who says a degree is needed, it serves to only support my opinion.
I disagree that a degree is necessary in HR. It really depends on the individual. I know plenty of HR “professionals” who have degrees, but do not have practical knowledge and cannot solve basic problems. I don’t think you are justified in making a blanket statement that a degree will bring a successful contributor.
I do prefer a manager with a degree.M a HR student and what i could find from my observation is that Degree really helps a person to transform the theorotical knowledge into practical aspects and that what we call a true manager.
Education is important for any function.
For HR, a college or post graduate degree will mostly help in projects, studies and statistics. It gives the basic to be proactive and strategic thinker.
I agree with Jennifer that the practical side will always be aquired on the field where we really experience the sucess or failure of any theory we learned during our study because it intercats with the human factor.
The education offers a basis and exposes the person to scientific techniques and researches that other people did before we thought about and that may avoid us starting from zero if we have laso data we can rely on.