Is 35 Too Old to Get a Human Resources Degree?

Human resources (HR) is an exciting career field for older adults and offers a promising job outlook. 35 is not too old to get an HR degree, as anyone can start their HR career at any age. Earning an HR degree later in life actually offers many benefits compared to earning a degree right after high school.

Qualified HR professionals are always in high demand so earning a degree in human resources is a strong long-term investment. Finding the right HR degree and gaining valuable new skills can make you an asset to any organization.

Reasons To Earn Your HR Degree at 35

Here are some promising reasons why you should earn your HR degree at the age of 35.

Increased Job Opportunities

Earning an HR degree can increase your job opportunities by opening up an entirely new field. There are many different jobs you can get with an HR degree, even outside of human resources.

Human resource occupations are expected to grow by 6% before 2032, a rate faster than the national average for all jobs. While there are more job openings every day, now is a great time to enter the field of human resources.

Rewarding Career

Working in human resources is a highly rewarding job and can help you feel like you're making a difference in the lives of those you interact with. Human resource specialists offer support to employees through career mentoring, interpersonal issues, and accessing benefits.

You Have Real World Experience

Earning an HR degree at 35 means you have work experience that you can bring into your education. Having real-world scenarios to refer to when studying the areas of human resources can help you better understand course materials and know how to apply them.

You'll also likely have an easier time finding a job if you already have years of experience behind you, as opposed to a recent college graduate with no work experience.

What Will I Learn In an HR Degree Program?

Human resources often have a mixture of business and psychology courses. Some of the courses you might take in an HR degree program include:

• organizational behavior
• HR technology
• economics
• emotional and cultural intelligence
• management
• talent acquisition
• sociology
• communication
• diversity, equity, and inclusion

You may also decide to pursue a minor to complement your HR degree. The most popular minors for HR majors include:

• psychology
• business
• social work
• communication

What Can I Do With My HR Degree?

Here are some of the most common jobs for HR degree holders.

Human Resources Manager

The most common job for HR program graduates is to become a human resources manager. HR managers work with:

• businesses
• organizations
• schools
• nonprofits

They manage the human side of the company. Other responsibilities include:

• interviewing potential employees
• hiring new employees
• training new employees
• supporting current employees

Customer Service Manager

HR graduates make great customer service managers. Many of the skills needed for HR and customer service overlap, such as:

• emotional intelligence
• critical thinking
• problem-solving

You must know how to communicate well with others.

Office Manager

Office managers oversee the activities and staff of a whole office or department. They typically manage scheduling, maintain staff productivity, and ensure all day-to-day operations are running smoothly.

Corporate Recruiter

Corporate recruiters work to find the best talent for their organizations. They use a variety of platforms to advertise job roles and then shortlist and interview candidates. They help to negotiate salary, starting dates, and work as a liaison between the candidate and the hiring manager.

Payroll Specialist

Payroll specialists manage employee timesheets and process payments. They have to work closely with data to ensure employees are paid accurately and that all funds and transfers are recorded.

Compensation and Benefits Manager

Working as a compensation and benefits manager involves assessing the job market to determine fair compensation. Compensation and benefits managers will need both people skills and quantitative skills.

FAQs About Starting an HR Degree at 35

Find answers to some common questions about starting an HR degree at 35.

Are There Benefits To Starting My HR Degree at 35?

Yes, starting an HR degree at 35 gives students additional life experience, maturity, and perspective. Older students may also have previous professional experience that can contextualize classroom learning and support stronger learning transfer.

Can I Apply Life Experience Credits To Earn My HR Degree?

Some innovative HR degrees allow students to earn college credits for non-traditional learning experiences such as professional roles. Students with previous experience in HR or related fields may benefit from selecting a program that offers credit for experience or competency-based learning.

Can I Complete My HR Degree Online?

Yes, there are many high-quality HR degrees that can be completed in entirely online formats. Online learning allows a wider range of students to benefit from college education.

Online HR degrees will result in the same degree as traditional HR programs and are often taught by the same instructors. Studying HR online can be a flexible choice for busy students.

Can I Work and Go To College?

Yes, many HR degrees are designed to allow professional students to carry on working full-time while they study. Online HR degrees can be a smart choice for working students who require flexible study times.

Working while studying HR can give students additional professional experience and enable faster career progression. Working while studying is also a wise financial move as it allows students to maintain a steady income during college.