Confused About Choosing HR or Finance as Your MBA Major? Let's Discuss Prospects and Opportunities

Hi! I am currently pursuing an MBA in my first year (second semester). I am supposed to choose my major and minor specializations and am confused about whether to choose HR as a major or Finance as a major. I have heard that there are good opportunities for women candidates in HR. However, my faculty members have told me that there is less scope at the entry level for HR compared to finance. Please suggest which one to opt for as a major. If I choose HR as a major and Finance as a minor, is there any chance of getting jobs in finance as well? Also, I want to know the growth prospects in HR and the general salary offered to freshers in HR and Finance. Please advise me on this matter.

Choosing the Right Career Path: Follow Your Passion

Every field has its own opportunities. Even if functional areas like finance and marketing seem to offer an easy entry into a career, your further growth depends on the quality of your performance in that function. The quality of performance is directly proportional to your aptitude and natural flair for that subject and your talent for it. For example, finance requires a bit of aptitude for business mathematics, technical analysis, and a flair for dealing with figures.

Do not choose a career based solely on market considerations; instead, follow your natural inclinations and passion. I have seen many candidates trying to switch from marketing to HR and from HR to marketing in search of a career habitat where they feel at home. So, ask yourself where you are naturally inclined to go and what you are passionate about. Then, give yourself adequate time to think coolly about the matter.

Regards, B. Saikumar

Choosing Between HR and Finance: A Personal Decision

Your question is similar to asking someone if they would prefer a Masala Dosa or an Aloo Parantha. It depends on your taste and your hunger at the time. Both may cost almost the same and will satisfy your appetite for the moment, but they are completely different in taste and originate from different parts of our country.

It is about your inclination towards the profile that suits you best. From your question, it seems that pursuing an MBA might not have been your personal choice; perhaps you were compelled, or maybe your close friends joined, so you did too. This is a question you should have asked yourself before joining the course: Why did you join in the first place?

Opportunities for Women in HR and Finance

All jobs are as suitable for women as they are for men. The world's top MNCs like Pepsi and ICICI are headed by women. So, please move beyond a female mindset and face the competition. You can be far more successful in your field than your male counterparts.

Long-term Career Goals and Growth

Start thinking beyond the first job, whether in HR or Finance. What is your ultimate life goal, and how will you reach it? Both streams can help you; it is you who will drive your life cycle on the path. Others might give you a push to start, but the efforts will be entirely yours. For the first five years of your career, do not worry much about salary. Learn to seek perfection in whatever you do. Once you master any field, money will follow you.

All the Best!

Career Opportunities in HR

If you want to pursue a career in HR, then go ahead. There are immense opportunities in HR for freshers. In the final semester, there is a project that you need to complete in a company. You may try applying for vacancies there, or you can update your CV on job sites where there are numerous openings, specifically in startups.

Start by joining a small company, begin with recruiting, then progress to payroll, statutory compliance, employee engagement, and training and development. Eventually, specialize in one aspect of HR. Wishing you all the best.

Regards,
Deepak Vasudevan
HR Professional.

You have received some good suggestions from our members. While making a decision, it is natural to face a dilemma. You can gain clarity by doing a bit of homework in addition to posting on this thread. Are you good at numbers and analyzing, or are you better at interpersonal relationships with a flair for communication? What were your school or college scores in English, vernacular languages, and Mathematics? Where do you think you can get additional support—is it in HR or Finance? When you take different objective-type tests, how do you fare in subjects such as comprehensive ability, analytical reasoning, and computing ability? If you consider the above, you will get a clearer picture.

Regards, V. Raghunathan

Hi Priyamvadaji,

If you have completed your B.Com with a good understanding and grades in Accounts and Maths, and possess an interest or passion for Finance-related tasks, you might want to consider pursuing an MBA in Finance. The field of Accounts and Finance generally offers more opportunities compared to HR. Nevertheless, the decision ultimately rests on your personal preferences.

WISHING YOU GOOD LUCK.

HR Consultant
31.3.16
Email: c.neyimkhan@gmail.com