Transitioning to HR: Can My Operations Experience Help Kickstart My New Career?

I have a query. Currently, I am working as an Associate (CSA) and also pursuing my MPM from Pune University as I want to become a Professional HR.

Career Transition to HR

My question here is, how should I start my career in HR? Do I need to start from the base again after completing my MPM, or is there any other way? Will my operations experience be counted in a corporate firm?

Please suggest; I need your help. I am concerned about my future career.

Thanks in advance,

Shankar Kanojia

Communication Skills: The Foundation of Your Career

First things first, to begin any career, being a good communicator is essential. It will be super beneficial in HR if you can speak and write well.

Clarifying Your Query

Your query is like a puzzle: What is CSA? What is MPM? "Ops" is the short form for Operations. Some, like me, can figure this out pretty quickly, while others might not be able to decipher what this is all about, and it is possible it might not evoke any response from them.

So, the fundamental principle would be to ask the right question in a manner that can be understood and deciphered to get the result you seek. I say this because you've asked a query, and a lot of questions pop out.

Understanding Your Background

For instance: Member Since: Dec 2013, United States, West Palm Beach (if you enrolled in CITEHR when you were in the US, please change the status). Currently, I am working as an Associate (CSA) and also pursuing my MPM from Pune University (it's distance education).

So, you see, there are a lot of assumptions and presumptions to be made. You say you are working in CSA (Computer Science Associates) and in Operations (specify the role played and tasks performed).

Career Transition to HR

This implies you are not in HR but want to move into HR, suggesting that the degree is to support your candidature. It is evident then that you want to change your career path.

Providing the Right Data for the Best Advice

The next important principle would be: To receive the best advice, provide the right data.

Regards

Thanks for replying. I know that I have written in short forms which do not clearly state my intentions. I accept that, but I really want to know how I may jump into HR. Currently, I am working in Operations at an Associate level. Should I continue at the same level and try for internal job postings, or should I explore opportunities outside as an admin executive to gain some experience?

Dear Shankar, Your posting is much clearer now.

Personal Suggestions for Your HR Career Path

1. If there is a chance and an appropriate opening in HR, take it up if it offers you a good career path. By this, I mean you get to work on Learning and Development or Performance Management, as these are slightly close to what you may be doing in your present role in operations. There is some work you need to do to upgrade your skills; however, there will not be a struggle. This can later help you move to Compensation and Benefits, especially when you get to know the industry and the business model of the company in which you are presently, unless you want to change.

2. If you get neither Learning and Development nor Performance Management, then it is best to stick to your present Operations role.

3. Do not take up Administration as there isn't much scope for growth, and you will end up doing a lot of not-so-very-interesting things. Also, it doesn't require an MBA degree to be wasted on fixing things.

Best wishes.

Thank you for your suggestion. I have one more query. If there is any HR opening in my current firm where I am working, can I apply without my degree, or should I wait for my degree to be completed? Will they give me a chance without a certificate?

Thanks,
Shankar K