Additional Information
Benefits manager Princess Starr recommends getting at least a bachelor's
degree.
"I do think that it's a college degree level position, so I think that
the individual would need to be more than a high school graduate," says Starr.
Early in her career Starr was a benefits representative (equivalent to
a benefits coordinator). She has a master's of business administration and
is currently a benefits manager for a school district in Georgia.
The most common degrees for benefits coordinators are in business, human
resources or public administration, says Starr.
Depending on the specific organization and job duties, a degree might not
be necessary to get started as a benefits coordinator. A strong background
in human resources, business, technology or liberal arts subjects may be enough.
But you'll probably be less "promotable" than your co-workers with degrees.
If you want to become a manager someday, you should consider getting a
master's degree in human resources or in business administration. Many such
degrees allow you to specialize in human resources management.
Employee benefits manager Paul Nerland has a bachelor's degree in business
management, with a focus on organizational development.
"Within that track were a lot of human resources courses, and that was
extremely helpful in preparing me for the role that I'm in," says Nerland.
"I kind of worked my way up. I spent a lot of time as an analyst (equivalent
to a benefits coordinator) in employee benefits before I became a manager."
Nerland says most benefits analysts have just a bachelor's degree, but
most of his fellow benefits managers have a master's degree.
Many colleges and universities have programs leading to a degree in personnel,
human resources or labor relations. Some offer degree programs in personnel
administration or human resources management, training and development, or
compensation and benefits.
Courses in compensation, recruitment, training and development, performance
appraisal, management, organizational structure and industrial psychology
are good bets.
The Society for Human Resource Management has two levels of certification
-- professional in human resources and senior professional in human resources.
Both require experience and a comprehensive exam. In the U.S. you can also
take courses toward a Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) designation.
An exam is required.