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By University HQ Staff Writers
Edited by Evelyn Keener
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South Carolina is one of our oldest states. Its long history started as a major port and agricultural hub. These days, South Carolina is home to a robust automotive manufacturing industry, strong real estate activity, and a booming tourism sector. The state has certainly benefitted from its convenient location between two of the south's major economic hubs in Atlanta and Charlotte.

Each of those hubs surely reaps benefits from South Carolina's top industry, manufacturing. South Carolina's manufacturing is ranked 21st nationwide and brings the state over $38 billion in annual revenues. Much of this manufacturing is due to South Carolina's success in attracting firms such as Mercedes Benz, BMW, Volvo, Magna, and Michelin.

Coming in the #2 position is South Carolina's real estate sector, which happens to rank 25th in the nation. The state has been growing since BMW first opened a plant in 1994 and now the sector brings the state over $29 billion each year.

Close behind real estate is the state's professional and business services sector. This industrial classification covers all sorts of business services. It includes waste management, management consulting, commercial laboratories, and even landscaping. Professional and business services, as a sector, generates over $25 billion for South Carolina every year and ranks 25th in its class nationwide. This industrial classification also covers human resources services such as temporary staffing solutions, payroll services, and corporate recruiters.

On top of this, every firm in South Carolina needs some attention paid to its human resources functions. Larger firms have dedicated human resources departments, while smaller firms may have HR departments but may obtain outside assistance for payroll. No matter how HR needs are met, the state recognizes that it's a vital part of the economy.

What is Human Resources?

A human resources manager is a business professional whose work is focused on their firm's personnel issues. They may help hire, train, orient, and pay employees. They also often put together benefits and other compensation packages. Since every firm is only as good as its people, HR is a vital part of every company's functioning. Human resources managers typically work in an office setting. Even in the era of remote work, many human resource professionals still need to go to the office or otherwise meet people in real life. This is often to conduct trainings or arbitrate an employee conflict.

To rise to the top of a human resources department, many HR professionals find that they need an MBA or other master’s human resources degree. On the other hand, many HR professionals can achieve senior positions based on their experience alone. However, many do earn professional certifications along the way.

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Online Human Resources Education in South Carolina

To ensure that they have the business professionals to maintain their economy, the state legislature makes sure to fully fund its colleges and universities, including their human resources management degree programs. This includes public community colleges, four-year colleges, and major universities such as the University of South Carolina.

The faculty who help steward those public funds help to bolster their programs by finding the best academic experts in human resources management. They also look for professionals with master’s degrees who are interested in teaching undergraduates. Those with practical experience with the local economy are sure to be a great inspiration to their students.

Students interested in completing an HR degree will have plenty of school options across the state. These include Clemson University, Limestone University, South Carolina Columbia College, etc. Students must ensure that they only consider accredited colleges, which will also make it easier to find any specific major or online program.

Online Associate (AS)

An associate human resources management degree is a terrific way to launch a human resources career. With a two-year, associate human resource management degree, students can land an entry-level position with a local firm. From there, they can rise through the ranks. Many will also use their two-year degree to apply for a four-year, bachelor’s human resource management degree program.

Starting with an associate degree from a South Carolina community college is smart for a few reasons. One that stands out for most students is the affordability of community college tuition. South Carolina's community colleges charge very little for credit hours, so an associate degree comes at a tremendous bargain. Students who land entry-level positions with their associate degrees may work with employers who have tuition reimbursement programs to help subsidize the remainder of their undergraduate degree.

Best 25 ranked online HR associate programs

Online Bachelors (BS or BHRM)

A four-year bachelor’s human resource management degree is perhaps the best way to launch a career. Recruiters seek those who have completed their four-year HR degrees because those students have a significant academic training, and they often make for better workers. Students can use their bachelor’s to dive into HR topics that interest them the most. Many programs even offer specialty tracks in HR topics such as compensation, employment law, career development, conflict resolution, organizational development, business law, and compliance.

Bachelor’s human resource management degree students also have the opportunity to gain experience while still in school. Internship programs provide that opportunity, and those who complete internships emerge with real-world experiences that can make a real difference when it comes time to land a job. Some even make lifelong connections during their internship programs. Mentors from an internship may be valuable connections to have over the course of a career.

Best 25 ranked online HR bachelor's programs

Find Your Online Human Resources Management Program

Online Masters (MS or MHRM)

A master’s human resource management degree is perhaps the best route for those seeking a position in the C-suites. For this degree level, students will have a choice; they can either opt for a MS in human resource management or an MBA with a human resources concentration. An MBA may be preferred because it includes an intensive immersion into general business concepts at the graduate level.

Another option for human resources professionals is a dual MBA. This route is very intensive and most dual MBA programs do not allow students to work while they study. However, it does allow students to earn their MS in human resources management and an MBA at the same time and in only three years. In this scenario, students can choose an MBA concentration that further expands their knowledge. Some options for a concentration include leadership, finance, or legal studies. HR students should research programs to find the specific MBA concentration that suits them best.

Best 25 ranked online HR master's programs Best 25 ranked online HR MBA programs

Online Doctorates (PhD)

A PhD isn't always at the top of a corporate recruiter's list. However, that could be changing. There are many human resources professionals with an MBA, which may cause those with a higher-level degree to end up in higher demand. However, many human resources professionals seek PhDs because they are passionate about their field and want to do research that helps to expand professional understanding of the field.

Upon completing a doctorate in human resource management, many will look to academia for their career. Their PhD will help them land a tenure track position, which pays well while providing avenues to continue researching their field. In fact, some will even avoid teaching and can work as research faculty. In this scenario, they can continue to pursue their passion areas on human resources. Some doctorates in human resource management opt for work as consultants. Their top academic credentials help to attract clients who need that level of expertise.

Become a Human Resources Manager in South Carolina

There are many ways to rise to the top in human resources. Since South Carolina doesn't require a license to work in HR, literally anyone can apply for a position. However, there are certain steps a student can take if they want to truly succeed.

The road to becoming a human resources management professional is to discover a passion for working with people. HR professionals are businesspeople whose focus is the human side of a firm. They work with issues related to personnel. This can include helping troubled workers access an employee assistance program or to find the best healthcare benefits package for them.

Many HR professionals start out with an interest in psychology but then realize that they are interested in neither counseling nor social science research. Human resources management fits this niche of people who have an analytical mind but also a desire to help workers. These students can enroll in a business college that includes a human resources department and HR degree program.

Students should be sure that their human resources management program is fully accredited. The minimum standard for accreditation is a CHEA approved regional credential. In South Carolina, this means the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). However, some business colleges hold program-specific accreditation from a specialty agency such as AACSB, ACBSP, or IACBE. These agencies focus only on business-related degree programs. Thus, their credentials are recognized nationwide and degrees from approved business degree programs are highly valued.

While there are many ways to approach one's education vs experience balance, most HR professionals should strive for a master’s human resource management degree. Some will enroll in an MS in Human Resource Management degree program upon graduating with their bachelor’s degree. Others will want to work for a few years and use the experience to help them focus on the areas they find most intriguing.

Along the way, HR managers should also look to earn professional certifications and take leadership roles in professional associations. These organizations help professionals continue to learn and grow in their work. Membership in these organizations can also help with networking and professional opportunities.

Potential Careers for HR Graduates

  • Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks
    To ensure that every claim against an insurance policy is valid, insurance firms employ claims processors. These workers ensure that claimants are properly compensated in the event of a claim. They may also look for red flags that can indicate a fraudulent claim.
  • Secretaries and Administrative Assistants (not legal)
    These administrative office workers are the glue that keeps many firms together. Secretaries field phone calls for their employers while helping to manage meetings, filing important documents, and even helping with personal matters.
  • Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistance
    These secretaries have duties that go far beyond those of a typical administrative secretary. Legal secretaries have received special training in legal studies and can help attorneys with writing and researching briefs and motions. An experienced legal secretary can make a very good salary.
  • Police, Fire, and Ambulance Dispatchers
    These workers are vital to any emergency response. The work is intense, but it can be rewarding to dispatch the proper professionals to help a person in need. Dispatchers need to have nerves of steel, but there are few academic requirements for the position.
  • Receptionists and Information Clerks
    These entry-level positions are often filled by workers with a high school diploma, though workers with an associate degree might also use these positions as a proverbial foot-in-the-door. Receptionists are often the first face a client sees upon entering an office, so they must have a pleasing customer service demeanor. Information clerks are often in the back of the office, tending to files and the important information the firm needs to thrive.
  • Human Resource Assistants, except payroll and timekeeping
    HR assistants help their department with items such as benefits enrollment period. They may also field phone calls from employees interested in information related to their position.
  • Fundraisers
    This is a profession most often found in the non-profit sector. Fundraisers seek interesting and effective ways to generate revenue for their organization. Many are involved with creating mass mailings to donors, but some also throw lavish galas for their town's most monied patrons.
  • Lodging Managers
    These hospitality professionals work in hotels, motels, and resorts to ensure that guests are well taken care of. Lodging managers oversee the cleaning crew to make sure that the rooms meet high standards for cleanliness while also overseeing other parts of the property including the pools, fitness areas, and restaurants.
  • Compensation and Benefits Managers
    These human resources managers oversee what matters the most to most employees: how they are paid. Compensation experts keep an eye on trends in their industry so that their firm can offer competitive wages and benefits to potential employees. Many in this area transition into corporate recruiting.
    • Public Relations Specialists:
    • Occupational Health and Safety Technicians
    • Training and Development Specialists
    • Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists
    • Labor Relations Specialists
    • Human Resources Specialists
    • Compliance Officers
    • Training and Development Managers
    • Human Resources Managers
    • Public Relations Managers
    • General and Operations Managers
    • Chief Executives

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