It's a story that is rarely told. In the aftermath of the 9/11 attack, people in human resources (HR) departments kept the tragedy's survivors employed, connected to counseling and financial assistance, and helped them into their relocated offices. Two days after the tragedy, Wall Street re-opened for business. Merrill Lynch HR professionals had already found their employees a new place to work and set up 24-hour counseling hotlines.

HR people often work under the radar. If you're considering online human resources degree programs, chances are you will hear about the countless HR staffers in lower Manhattan who stepped up to relocate their workers and keep businesses operating in the days after 9/11. Their compassion, expertise and professionalism kept families--and the economy--going strong.

Online HR Degree Programs are Comprehensive

It's amazing what goes into an online human resources education. Online training and certification courses include the nuts and bolts of federal program compliance, workforce management, healthcare benefits, employee tracking, office coordination, and often emergency management.

When you earn an HR college degree online, you receive industry-standard training in recruitment, promotions, performance management, pensions, discrimination laws, staff development, and facilities. One benefit of an online degree program is that you get to master these concepts at a self-paced schedule that won't interfere with your home or current work life.

Hopefully, you won't have to act in an emergency similar to 9/11, but your online degree work will prepare you to answer the call in your own company when employees and management need your skills to thrive in tough times.