Human Resources, HR Management

Employment opportunities in human resources are expected to increase much faster than other occupations. Read on to see if this growing career field might be good for you.

Is a Job in Human Resources for Me?

Human resource managers create employment policies, hire employees and provide a connection between staff members and the company they work for. Workers in human resources need to be personable and possess good communication skills since they are constantly interacting with people. If you enjoy interacting with all kinds of different people and you want to unique solve problems every day, then perhaps a career in human resources will be a good fit for you.

Now is a good time to pursue a career in human resources. The demand for human resources workers was expected to grow much faster than the average growth of all occupations. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that from 2008 through 2018, employment in human resources professions will likely increase by 22% (www.bls.gov). Human resources assistants made a median annual income of $36,800 in 2010. Human resource managers made a median salary of $99,180.

How Can I Work in Human Resources?

If you decide to work in human resources, you have the opportunity to choose from among many different specialties. Recruiters search for the best applicants to fill vacant positions and are usually able to travel to many places. Benefits specialists work with insurance plans, pension plans and other related programs. These specialists are aware of benefit and medial laws and handle problems and concerns from employees. Training specialists coordinate and design training activities for employees.

Education requirements for human resources jobs vary. Most employers are looking for applicants that have obtained at least a bachelor's degree. A bachelor's degree in human resources is a good choice, although other degrees related to business can also help you begin a career in human resources. Courses in business, sociology and behavioral science are recommended for students that want to work in human resources.

Some advanced and management-level jobs require a master's degree in human resources. If you enroll in a Master of Professional Studies program, you should be able to specialize in benefits, staffing and training, labor relations and labor laws. If you want to eventually enter into teaching or consulting in human resources, you may even want to consider completing a doctorate program in human resources.

Human resources organizations offer various certifications that can lead to advancement. There are certifications available in most specializations within human resources, such as Certified Employee Benefits Specialist, Certified Benefits Professional or Professional in Human Resources. You can obtain most designations by completing experience requirements and passing an exam.

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