An online MBA course can be a major career upgrade in the present fast-paced business environment. The rising number of exceedingly specialized MBA programs as an online option aids professionals in pursuing further studies at their convenience, be it with job schedules, with families, or with other personal obligations. Among the many widely accepted specialized courses are the online MBA in HR Management and the online MBA in Operations Management. Both testify to practically rewarding careers; however, they focus on diverse subjects and different skills. How can one, then, determine which pathway is the right one for him/her?
Let us take a look at each of these programs to determine the correct specialization to pursue.
What is Online MBA in HR Management?
Human Resources Management is concerned with managing people in organizations. It focuses on managing the strategic policies and processes necessary to recruit, engage, develop, and retain employees. In an online MBA in HR management, the students will study leadership development, conflict processes, and organizational behavior while exploring possibilities for creating an engaged, respectful, and productive organization.
- Recruitment and talent acquisition: learn how to attract and hire the right talent for your position.
- Employee relations: understanding how to resolve conflict, mediate between employer and employee, and ensure fair play.
- Performance management: creating systems to monitor and improve employee performance.
- Compensation and benefits: creating pay packages and benefits offerings to attract and keep people.
- Labor laws: Understanding how workplace legislation and policy impact the immediate workplace.
The HR function is often seen as central to an organization, keeping the workforce motivated, trained, and supported. If you enjoy working with people, resolving conflict, and introducing systems and policies that allow employees to flourish, then you may find an online MBA in HR management fits your style.
What is Online MBA in Operations Management?
Operations Management, on the other hand, is all about making sure that an organization’s operations function efficiently by being effective. An online MBA in Operations Management includes variables that optimize production, supply chain management, process improvements, cost savings, etc.
An Online MBA in Operations Management aims to deliver on the promises of the company by executing the organization’s operations so that products and services are delivered on time, within budget, and of the best quality in the market.
Key Topics of Online MBA in Operations Management
- Supplier Chain Management: Discover how to manage the procurement to delivery process efficiently.
- Process Improvement: Learn how to see waste and inefficiencies and how to implement improvements over time.
- Project Management: How to consider the leadership portion of organizing, planning, and managing a project based on time and budget.
- Inventory Management: How to maintain the optimal inventory level to meet consumer demands while not having too much inventory.
- Logistics and Distribution: How to ensure that the product lands in the customer’s hand at the lowest cost and in a timely manner.
Operations Managers work within all dimensions of the company and ensure that the organization is able to deliver their products and services as presented. If you are an individual who enjoys solving problems, improving systems, and improving the efficiency of business processes, an online MBA in Operations Management may fit you perfectly.
Both of these MBA programs certainly focus on improving performance in an organization, but they have distinct focuses:
Skillsets Developed:
HR Management: You will develop interpersonal skills, conflict management, and knowledge of workplace dynamics.
Operations Management: You will develop analytical and technical skills of areas that closely relate to project management, logistics, supply chain, budget management, and process optimization.
Career Opportunities:
Graduates of HR Management typically have the opportunities to pursue careers as HR Managers, HR Talent Acquisition Specialists, Employee Relations Managers, and Chief Human Resources Officers (CHROs).
Graduates of Operations Management typically have the opportunities to pursue careers as: Operations Managers, Supply Chain Directors, Project Managers, and Chief Operating Officers (COOs).
Choosing between an Online MBA in HR Management and an Online MBA in Operations Management ultimately comes down to your career interests, strengths, and objectives. Here are some questions to consider to help you decide:
Do you like working within a team with other humans and working to resolve their interpersonal problems? You may prefer an online MBA in HR Management. HR Management may help position you in a corporate and people-focused position.
Are you focused more on business process optimization, managing different projects, and making sure the operations are running as they should? Is it in your interest to join a corporate organization or get down to working with people? If these are some of your interests, the Online MBA in Operations Management might be an ideal way upside for you since Operations Management narrows down more on processes and systems.
The most significant advantage is the completion of an online MBA in HR Management and Operations Management. Suppose you are working full-time, attending to family matters, or living on the other side of the world. In that case, an online degree will provide you with the flexibility that conventional on-campus classes would never have. You’ll be able to do your coursework whenever it fits into your schedule, attend classes virtually whenever required, and network with your international students.
Most online MBAs in HR and operations management are taught by instructors with pertinent industry experience. You will also have access to resources like webinars, discussion boards, and case studies that will make your insight practical for applying your learning.
Both the Online MBA in HR Management and the Online MBA in Operations Management present excellent opportunities for advanced career development, and the selection depends on your interests and career objectives. Either of the two, depending on whether your preference is to manage people or to optimize the operations of a business, is integral to ensuring that an organization is successful. Take your time on making a decision by reflecting on your interests and the effect you want to have on the business world.
