Should I Choose Branch Manager or Stick with HR? Seeking Career Growth Advice

Hello all!

I am Isha. I have been offered the position of Branch Manager at an educational center. However, my background is in HR as I have completed my MBA in HR. I have 4 months of experience working as an HR Executive.

I am seeking advice on whether I should continue in the role of Branch Manager or pursue a career solely in HR. Could you please advise me on which position, in terms of job responsibilities and opportunities for growth, would be more beneficial for me?

Dear Isha,

Greetings for the day!

With 4 months of experience, a good and big company would not typically offer you a post as a Branch Manager. However, this company does. From this, we can understand that this company's standards may be perceived as being low. If you were to ask me the same question, I would suggest that you not pursue the job of Branch Manager. Instead, I recommend that you make your career path clear and not complicated.

Thank you.

Hi Isha,

Firstly, you should not have accepted the role of Branch Manager since you have completed your MBA in HR and have only a few months of experience in HR. Just because the designation is Branch Manager, it does not mean you should risk your career. If your interest and educational qualifications are more suited for HR, please consider pursuing that path instead of wasting your precious time.

Regards,
Manju Nair

Dear Isha,

I would prefer to go ahead with the Branch Manager post. Every designation offers valuable knowledge and experience, which is always worthwhile. I am sure they will assign you HR responsibilities for the entire branch (attendance, recruitment, payments, etc.).

So, do not worry. Accept the offer and embrace the opportunity for new learning and experience. I have worked as an Admin Incharge at a small company where I gained very valuable knowledge and experience. Subsequently, I joined a larger company where the workload is sometimes low or non-existent, hence my decision to change jobs.

Therefore, do not worry, be happy, stay positive, and continue to learn and grow wherever you find the opportunity. Trust me, it will always add value to your profile. Larger companies, if needed, do not hesitate to consider lowering your designation in their firm, so you can choose what is best for you.

Kind regards

Dear Swetha,

I agree with the words of Yaasim. I don't know why people prefer doing a job when they have completed Masters in Business Administration. Getting a professional course is not meant for doing a job. You have received an offer as a Branch Manager; maybe it's an opportunity for you to show what you can do better than others. Perhaps the company expects more from you. Think positively; if the company standard is low, then raise it high. That's why you are there. Take the challenge and increase the brand of the company.

You can get a job in any company as an HR, but you rarely get an opportunity to run a business. Have a career where you can lead someone, not a place where you fold your hands in front of the boss for not meeting targets.

Regards,
G.Vinay Kumar
Certified Master Trainer
Soft-skills & Behavioral Trainer
SAP HR Trainer

"Why take the same old tortoise that has won the race once in a lifetime? This is the era of hares, so be like a hare to win in technology."

I agree with Mr. Mohan and Manju. Thanks, guys, for your inputs and valuable suggestions to Shweta because this job position can ruin her HR career and can be a big hurdle towards her HR goals.

Let me ask you, Shweta, what have you decided and what do you want to do in your life? If you still haven't set your life goals and what you want to achieve in your life, please take your time and do it now. Because it's your time, and you have to do this.

See, dear, you have done your MBA in HR and have already 4 months of experience, which means you have just started your HR career. So why are you considering this job position as Branch Manager? You must not go with it. I understand that it may help you in many ways, including financially, but it will not give you any more chances to return to your HR career in the future. At that time, you may realize that the decision you made in the past was not a good one.

Therefore, I suggest going with Human Resources. This will definitely take some time to establish yourself, but it will give you a strong base. Believe me, there is much scope and many opportunities in the Human Resource career.

Best of Luck

Hello shwetamht02,

Forget for a moment about the advice of all of us here at CiteHR. Also, forget for a moment if your MBA-HR will be a hindrance or a plus point for the offer you have in hand.

First, you need to make up your mind as to which direction you want to take your career path.

Also, recollect the exact reasons why you pursued an MBA in HR. I am sure there must be very valid reasons for that step of yours.

Now, check if this offer will help you achieve the goals you have set for yourself - 2/3/5/10 years from now.

The farther you can look into the future, the better planned your career can be (mind you, I mentioned 'can' be, since there will always be a chance of a slip between the cup and the lip - that's life, I guess. But as the quote says: it's better to have a sketchy plan than no plan at all). Please note that it's also okay if you can only plan for the next 1-2 years. The idea is to align your career goals with the opportunities while considering your comfort level in the process.

Another point that needs highlighting is that an MBA in HR doesn't necessarily mean you have to get stuck in an HR career path. It is meant to equip you with the ability to effectively manage 'human resources'. Dealing with people is a significant part of any managerial role, with the primary focus shifting based on the function. Many top executives in India today have backgrounds in non-HR roles despite being MBA-HR qualified.

Regarding the current offer, if it aligns with your career plans, go ahead and accept it. If not, feel free to ignore it. In the future, focus on opportunities that contribute to achieving your larger career goals. Consider all opinions as inputs, but remember that the final decision is yours alone since it's your career.

Regards,

TS

You have completed a Master's in Business Administration, right? Your specialization is in Human Resources. You are qualified to manage a business unit.

Ways to Arrive at a Conclusion

In two ways, you can arrive at a conclusion:

1. If you want to become an HR professional, you should try a job similar to your past experiences. Even a corporate HR Head cannot play a role in framing business policies/strategies. HR is primarily the administration of human resources in a company. Yes, there are opportunities for growth, as usual, and everyone can find their path.

2. If you want to grow as a business administrator, you should pursue this profile. If there is an institution, its business strategy would focus on the following three areas and develop plans for them: placement, courses, and teaching methods; infrastructure and facilities; accreditation. Remember what you learned in your MBA, gather different ideas, choose the best one you like, and follow your wishes.

Good luck!