Human Resources: What can I do with this degree?

Human Resources
What can I do with this degree?
OCCUPATIONS
EMPLOYERS
SKILLS TO DEVELOP
BENEFITS/COMPENSATION


Compensation Analysis
Financial institutions
• Develop strong computer skills, especially with spreadsheets and
Health Benefits
Hotel, restaurant, and retail chains
databases.
Retirement Benefits
Manufacturing firms
• Obtain internships in human resources.

Hospitals and healthcare organizations
• Cultivate strong analytical skills.
Educational institutions
• Be willing to start in an entry-level human resources or benefits
Employment and staffing agencies
assistant position.
Professional employment organizations (PEOs)
• Earn a graduate degree (MBA, masters, or law) to reach the highest
Nonprofit organizations
levels of human resource management.
Labor unions
• Cultivate an eye for detail.
Federal government agencies including:

Department of Labor
Employment Security Commission
Bureau of Labor
Local and state government agencies

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT


Industrial Training
Corporate universities
• Obtain related experience through internships and part-time or
Technology Training
Consulting firms
summer jobs.
Management Development
Manufacturing companies
• Acquire current knowledge of issues in technology, industry, and
Performance Improvement
Retail and customer service industries
business education through professional association journals.
Organizational Change
Restaurant and hotel chains
• Develop solid knowledge of the content area being addressed in

Business and industry training facilities
training.

Educational institutions
• Be prepared to start working in another area of human resources


before moving into a training position.

• Gain strong writing and public speaking skills.


OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY



Hotel, restaurant, and retail chains
• Learn about Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Manufacturing firms
(OSHA) standards and compliance.
Hospitals and healthcare organizations
• Cultivate an eye for detail.
Educational institutions
• Obtain related experience through internships and part-time or
Labor unions
summer jobs.
Federal, Local and state government agencies




Human Resources, page 1

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OCCUPATIONS
EMPLOYERS
SKILLS TO DEVELOP
RECRUITING AND RETENTION


Selection and Placement
Financial institutions
• Develop strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Hotel, restaurant, and retail chains
• Obtain leadership roles in student organizations.

Manufacturing firms
• Get related experience through internships or part-time and
Hospitals and healthcare organizations
summer jobs.
Educational institutions

Employment and staffing agencies

Professional employment organizations (PEOs)
Other medium and large size organizations
Nonprofit organizations
Federal, Local and state government agencies

INDUSTRIAL/ORGANIZATIONAL


PSYCHOLOGY
Consulting firms
• Double major or minor in psychology as an undergraduate.
Organizational Development
Educational services
• Earn a doctoral degree in industrial/organizational psychology.
Assessment and Evaluation
Colleges and universities
• Demonstrate strong interest in studying the behavior of people at
Personnel Selection
Private and public companies
work.
Performance Appraisal
Government agencies
• Obtain internships in areas of organizational development.
Job Analysis
Military research organizations
• Conduct independent research study in areas of interest.
Individual Development
Test preparation companies
• Develop aptitude in statistical analysis and computers..
Labor Relations


Ergonomics
Teaching
Research


EMPLOYEE/LABOR RELATIONS


Arbitration and Mediation
Large companies
• Take courses in employment law, conflict management, and labor
Labor Relations
Government agencies
relations.
Employment Law
Employment and temporary agencies
• Gain experience with mediation

Large non-profit organizations including
• Might be necessary to obtain a law degree.

hospitals and educational institutions
• Join a debate team and participate in mock trial.
Labor unions
.


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Strategies For Placement In Human Resources
•
Be prepared to start in entry-level positions within organizations and work up to positions of greater responsibility. Develop an area of expertise along the way.
•
Graduate education including MBA, MS, or JD qualifies one for higher salaries and positions with greater responsibility.
•
Successful human resource professionals are business-minded and well rounded. Cultivate "hard skills" such as technology and statistics along with "soft skills" such as
mediating and advising.
•
Develop excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
•
Demonstrate a strong desire to work with people of various backgrounds and educational levels.
•
Join professional associations in field of interest, such as American Society for Training and Development, Society for Human Resource Management, American Management
Association, Employment Management Association, Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, and others.
•
Become a member of the student organization, HRACU Human Resources Association of Capital University.

Internet Resources:
Vault: more information on the every day life in the human resources assistant. This site is accessible through the Career Services Website: www.capital.edu/careers

Industry Profile – Business: www.wetfeet.com/asp/careerlist.asp
WetFeet.com guide to human resources covers Industry Trends & Overview, "Love-Hate" (pros and cons of this field), Major Players and Job Descriptions & Tips.

Careers-in-Business.com: Information on key careers in business such as investment banking, consulting and marketing. www.careers-in-business.com/

Society of Human Resource Managers: www.shrm.org

HR Internet Guide: www.hr-guide.com


Human Resources, page 3

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Document Outline

• OCCUPATIONS
  • SKILLS TO DEVELOP
    • BENEFITS/COMPENSATION
    • TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT
    • OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
• OCCUPATIONS
  • SKILLS TO DEVELOP
    • RECRUITING AND RETENTION
    • INDUSTRIAL/ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
    • EMPLOYEE/LABOR RELATIONS

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