Torn Between HR and Finance: How Should I Navigate My Career Dilemma?

Dear HR Seniors, I am doing a distant MBA in Finance & Banking, which will be completed in April '14. Before joining the MBA, I was selected by a cement manufacturing unit as a trainee in the HR department. I have started my career and have been working in the HR & Administration department for the last three years. During these three years, I was promoted twice, from trainee to Junior Executive, and I am currently working as an Executive.

Career Dilemma: HR vs. Finance

The main confusion is that I want to grow my career in the finance or banking sector. I am very confused about my future steps. If I leave the HR profile, I will be new to the finance or banking sector, and my past experiences will not be considered. However, if I stay in the same profile, my degree will not be valued by recruiters.

Kindly advise and suggest.

Regards,

Dear Dipu, you did not mention whether you are satisfied with your HR career. If you are pursuing a degree in banking and finance, how did you end up working in HR? Alternatively, if you were employed before enrolling in an MBA program, why did you opt for banking and finance as your major? Please clarify these points.

Thank you.

This is in addition to what Mr. Umm-E-Abdullah has said. Starting a career in Finance would mean starting on a clean slate. From a career point of view, it may mean taking a step backward. Can you afford to do that?

Consider Lateral Movement

The second option is to try lateral movement in the finance department of your current company. See if they would accept you in finance with the same salary.

Nevertheless, knowledge of finance is useful anywhere and everywhere. As you grow in Administration, you could handle large projects. This may require purchase negotiations, purchase of capital assets, etc. For all this, your background in finance should come in handy for you.

Ok...

Regards,
Dinesh V Divekar