How can a career in HR management broaden your horizons?

Aussies heading overseas for work and to see the world have often taken menial jobs to fund their adventurous lifestyles abroad.

But a seismic shift in the past decade has seen a major change in expectations among those who want to make the world their oyster and wider place of employment.

It is in this international climate that RMIT’s new Master of Human Resource Management (MHRM) has been launched, says Professor Pauline Stanton, Head of the School of Management.

“If there is one thing human resource managers of the future will have to come to grips with, it will be the international face of their employees, their employers, business and industry,’’ Stanton says.

“The internet has made the world a much smaller place and even small-to-medium sized companies now tend to operate over several continents.

“It is in this climate that RMIT’s new MHRM has been developed, within a global context and with professional careers in mind.”

Stanton says there is two-way traffic coming to and leaving Australia.

“Australians are keen to use their careers as a means of travel and a variety of occupations can carry them through their careers in a variety of countries,” she says.

“Not-for-profits, international manufacturing companies, global government organisations, trade unions, financial, IT, travel and aviation industries – these are just a few of the many industries and groups for whom the world has no borders.

“The RMIT Master of Human Resource Management has been designed to understand organisations in context on the world stage, to build on the research expertise of our world leading academics and take a global perspective to careers and career opportunities.”

Stanton says Australians are keen to travel for their careers and work experience, but just as many are heading to our shores for the same work and life opportunities as are leaving to travel abroad.

“Evidence shows increasing global mobility for HR professionals as they move overseas to broaden their horizons and build their careers,’’ she says.

“Also, overseas HR and other professionals come to Australia either due to relocation or opportunities provided by their companies, or for individual study with an intention to return to their home countries as opportunities in this area expand.     

“Understanding the global context in which businesses operate is increasingly important, as even many SMEs are developing their global presence through the use of the internet.”

The MHRM will be offered in Melbourne and at RMIT Vietnam, giving students even more travel opportunities.

“That made us ask ourselves what does HRM mean in countries like Vietnam? Who are our prospective students? Where do they come from and what are their needs?” Stanton says.

“It ensured we developed a degree that featured the breadth and depth of HR perspectives from outside Australia.”

The MHRM covers employment relations and government regulation from an international perspective.

“Our students need to understand the global context of business today, including new forms of organisations and networks that impact on employment,” Stanton says.

“There are also the cultural aspects of business, in particular working with diverse workforces, as well as building human capital within the organisation while understanding the industry, regional or country context.

“Working in more entrepreneurial, agile and creative environments, our course is designed to focus on problem solving and entrepreneurial discovery.”

Global intensives are a unique feature of the course, allowing students to combine an overseas travel and cultural experience with coursework completed in intensive mode – and have this credited towards their degree.

The Master of Human Resource Management is accredited by the Australian Human Resource Institute (AHRI).

Students enrolled full-time are eligible for student membership and graduates are eligible for affiliate membership.

Success Begins Here: Study the Master of Human Resource Management. Find out more.

Story:  Kelly Ryan