If you are working and considering an MBA to go further in your career, it is a good decision. But what if you can’t afford to quit your job or go to a different city to attend classes? This is where the online MBA courses play their part—they allow the flexibility of learning at your own pace from anywhere across the globe.

Now, let’s say you are inclined towards taking an MBA; however, you are confused between two popular options: the online MBA in HR management and the online MBA in operations management. These are both valued programs; with their distinct merit and values, they develop different skills and pursue different career paths.

In this blog, therefore, we help you understand what each program offers and how to choose the one that fits you best.

What Is An Online MBA Course?

Before diving into specializations, let’s understand some basics. An online MBA course is a degree that confers the knowledge of the functioning of businesses and the management of people, projects, and resources. An online MBA course means you generally attend lectures, submit assignments, and participate in discussions without being physically present in a classroom. The online MBA is ideal for those working full-time or having home responsibilities.

Thousands of options are being offered in various colleges and universities all over the world. Yet, the most popular courses that students enroll in are the programs in business administration, like the online MBA course in human resources management.

Online MBA in HR Management: Working With People

If you like people, enjoy understanding their needs, solving their problems, and helping them grow, the online MBA in HR management may be the perfect choice for you.

An online MBA in HR management means human resource management, managing the people side of a business. You’ll learn to attract, train, develop, and encourage the right employees through positive work culture and challenges, like employee conflict and performance deficiency.

Learn About:

• Acquisition and Recruitment
• Training and Development
• Performance Management
• Labor Laws
• Company Ethics
• HR Strategy and Plan

Who Will It Be For? 

One such is that of a person suited to be best at communicating, having an empathetic spirit, and knowing how to build relationships. Helping others may bring an excitement that then leads to being able to influence a company’s overall culture and the policies associated with it.

Career Opportunities:

• HR Manager
• Talent Acquisition Specialist
• Training and Development Manager
• Employee Relations Manager
• HR Business Partner

MBA Online in Production Management: Working with Processes

On the other hand, if you prefer the organization, planning, and smooth functioning of processes, an online MBA in operations management suits you more.

It is the part of the online MBA in operations management behind the scenes, so that a business runs smoothly. Supply chain management, production supervision, efficiency enhancement, and cost minimization are taught in such a way as to help keep things flowing smartly, time-bound, and cost-effectively.

What Will You Be Learning?

• Supply Chain and Logistics
• Production and Quality Control
• Project Planning
• Business Process Optimization
• Operations Strategy

Who Will It Be Suited For?

An online MBA in operations management program is well-suited for anyone who enjoys problem-solving, improving processes, and focusing on results. It is also great for numerical minds, systems thinkers, and timeline lovers.

Career Prospects:

• Operation Manager
• Supply Chain Manager
• Logistics Coordinator
• Quality Control Managers
• Project Manager

When we compare the two programs, which are the online MBA in HR management and the online MBA in operations management, we can say that both are rewarding in terms of career growth and leadership opportunities. They provide a sound basis in general business skills such as communication, decision-making, and problem-solving.

More importantly, however, they differ in what they throw most of their energy toward managing:

• HR is people-centric: it deals with hiring, training, team-building, settling disputes, and communication.
• Operations are process-centric: it deals with planning, organizing, and optimizing the way work is done. So, HR is about managing the workforce; operations are about managing the workflow.

How to go about choosing one for yourself? 

Here are a few practical questions for you to ponder, as they might assist in your final choice:

Do I enjoy interacting closely with people, from training to helping them grow? 

→ Consider HR Management.

Do I enjoy working with systems, processes, and solving pragmatic issues? 

→ Operations should be considered.

Do I prefer company culture and teamwork or logistics and process improvement?

Which type of work satisfies me more: helping someone grow professionally or improving a business process?

In addition to your reflections, it might be useful to think about what you do now. Are you undertaking responsibilities of recruitment and training, which would be more related to Human Resources? Or are you focused on supply chains, planning, or workflow management?

Conclusion

Picking an online MBA in HR management over the other online MBA in operations management is not the choice regarding which of the two is “better.” Both are good and can have wonderful implications for one’s career; all that is needed is that one is able to select one that resonates with his or her strengths and interests.

Online studies are self-paced, allowing one to learn amid ongoing life events, while one will also have opportunities to use those leadership skills with all the business knowledge gained in moving forward in career life.

So take time, think of what excites you, and make the first step. A bright decision starts your business future, and already, you’re on the way.