Pursue an Exciting Career in Human Resources

by Jami J. Rodgers
Career Training Directory Columnist

Human Resources Management is critical to any organization. A company is only as strong as its employees, and it’s up to HR to ensure that the organization makes the most of this crucial asset. Human resources specialists must seek the most qualified employees and match them with the jobs for which they’re best suited.

No matter where you find yourself working, your organization will incorporate human resources management. Besides routine personnel management functions and the administration of health insurance, fringe benefits, and new hire paperwork, human resources staff usually provide training opportunities to keep employees’ skills sharp and ensure productivity.

Get the Human Resources Management Training You Need to Succeed

If you aspire to work in human resources, you should pursue classes in recruitment, training and development, compensation, and performance appraisal. General coursework in business management and organizational structure may also prove helpful. Typical entry-level human resource jobs require a four-year bachelor’s degree in personnel management, human resources, or labor relations.

Human Resources Management by the Numbers

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, human resources specialists are employed in about every industry imaginable. As of 2004 there were 820,000 employed in this field, with the private sector accounting for more than eight out of ten salaried jobs. The public sector employed seventeen percent of human resources managers and specialists.

Be a Key Player in Human Resources

Human resources specialists perform a critical role in an organization’s success. It’s important that they demonstrate experience in conflict-resolution, function well under pressure, and be are fair-minded and discreet when dealing with sensitive personal issues. If you enjoy working with people on a regular basis, a career in human resources may be right for you.

Source(s):

U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics

About the author

Jami J. Rodgers works in acquisition management for the federal sector in Washington, D.C Jami holds a B.S. in Spanish from The Pennsylvania State University.