Should I Pursue a Master’s in HR or Healthcare Administration?

Dear Yvonne,

I am confused as to what career path I would want to pursue and build on now. I just completed my BSc in business management. I have a keen interest in HR. I have a good amount of work experience and knowledge of HR. However, I also discovered another passion for healthcare administration.

Now I will be going for my master's soon, and I don't know if I should do an MSc in HR or in healthcare administration. And what career path do you think I can focus on right now? Mind you I am just in my early twenties.

Yvonne says,

Identifying two distinct career interests is fantastic. These two fields are strong with great potential and feeling unsure about which path to pursue is normal, especially early in your career. I would advise that you first understand the fields: HR vs. Healthcare Administration - they both offer different experiences and opportunities. An MSc in HR would deepen your expertise and open doors to HR generalist roles. A degree in healthcare can offer a path to healthcare administrator and operations roles. Next is to assess your interests and strengths - your passion and engagement with either of the roles might help you make a decision. Also, assess your skills - HR tends to focus on interpersonal skills and understanding organisational behavior, while healthcare administration requires strong analytical and operational skills.

Ask yourself what your long-term career goals are and what the job market looks like - HR roles can be found in all industries but a healthcare role confines you to one industry. At the moment, you can intern or volunteer with both roles and see which one presents more opportunities for you. Try taking short courses as well to see which you excel at better. Very importantly, your early twenties is a time for exploration of different paths - you don’t have to make a final decision right now. Your career will evolve, and it’s very common to pivot into different areas as you gain more experience and understand yourself better.

Finally, if you do have dual interests, consider a hybrid role - healthcare HR or administrative roles in HR (eg. HR business partner or HR Analyst). Good luck as you explore the career that’s right for you!