Students pursuing a Bachelor’s in Human Resources may wonder what kind of minor they should pair with it. When looking at minors to choose from, students should consider what subjects will best complement the work they will do in human resources. There are a few good options for students to choose from, including the ones outlined below.
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Communications
The use of communications paired with a Bachelor’s in Human Resources should be obvious. Communications minors learn the basics of what constitutes good, effective communication in both a written and verbal sense. Professionals working in human resources need to communicate effectively in many areas of their jobs, such as when reaching out to potential job candidates, understanding problems employees might be experiencing, conveying issues to management, putting employee policy in writing, and more. Human resources professionals also utilize strong communications skills when they keep all members of their organization informed via memos and e-mails, as well as ensure employees understand company policy.
Business
A business minor, particularly one focusing on business administration, is also incredibly helpful for students majoring in human resources. Human resources professionals need to have a strong understanding of the ins and outs of business administration so they can seamlessly integrate their work into their company’s everyday operations. They need to be sensitive to the needs of management as well as the needs of employees in order to create a harmonious balance between the two. Human resources professionals who can accomplish this are most likely to enjoy a successful career. Other skills taught in a business program that are helpful to HR professionals include leadership, management, problem solving, decision making, and more.
Psychology
Psychology also pairs well with this major because human resources professionals manage people. Therefore, it is advantageous to understand how the minds of human beings work. Human resource professionals with a background in psychology can leverage the knowledge they have to more effectively end employee conflicts, better appeal to ideal job candidates so they will accept the job being offered, offer effective suggestions to management to improve office morale, and more. Perhaps the most important benefit of implementing solid psychological principles into a human resources department is using it to create a positive workplace culture, per Forbes. A positive workplace culture is instrumental in not only retaining existing employees but also for attracting new candidates to job openings.
Marketing
Marketing is another subject that complements human resources rather well. This is because marketing is a significant part of working in human resources, especially for anyone who does any amount of recruiting work for their employer. Recruiters need to have strong marketing skills in order to promote their companies to job seekers. Marketing skills will help human resources professionals know where to look for strong candidates, effectively utilize social media to attract applicants, and maintain a positive branding image of their company among the professional workforce.
There are a number of minors that provide a strong complement to a major in human resources. All of them are good choices, although some might be more advantageous than others depending on what role in human resources a student wants to play and which industry they want to work in. Think carefully before choosing a minor to go with a Bachelor’s in Human Resources.
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