According to Fortune Magazine,
Timberland offers its employees $3,000 toward the purchase of a hybrid
vehicle. Eli Lilly offers pregnant employees a paid month off before
their due dates. And J.M. Smucker provides 100 percent tuition
reimbursement--with no limit. Each of these innovative and progressive
benefits falls under the purview of a human resources department.
Human resources in its present form is vastly different from the personnel departments of the 1970s, which were fairly limited in scope. Human resources today encompasses hiring, training, retention, career development, safety, health, social advancement, retirement and the overall well-being of employees and even their families.
The job responsibilities of human resources professionals are similarly broad. While it is increasingly common to specialize--for example, in benefits, compensation, or safety and security--some human resource staff are generalists, who perform multiple functions. According to one seasoned professional, this type of generalist position requires you to be "one part coach, one part attorney, one part priest, one part detective, one part counselor, and one part politician."
The wide scope of the field can make human resources an exciting and challenging career--and one that requires the right education. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), college graduates and certified professionals will have the best opportunities for employment and advancement. While many colleges and universities don't offer a specific degree in human resources, a new generation of education options can help prepare students for a career in the field.
Human resources degree options
Human resources programs offer a wide range of degrees, from certificates and associate degrees to a master's. Most employers prefer applicants with a bachelor's degree for entry-level jobs, although an associate degree may also qualify you in some circumstances.
Human resources programs are offered on-campus, online, and in hybrid formats. Online human resources classes can be a particularly attractive option for working adults who want to move into human resources without leaving the workforce, or for entry-level employees wanting to build their skills in order to advance. Online courses enable you to take courses at your convenience, so your life doesn't have to entirely be put on hold.
Human resources courses at a glance
Human resources classes are sometimes offered through a business program or school--for example, a B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resource Management--while others are stand-alone degrees, such as a B.S. in Human Resource Management. Typical courses may include:
Career opportunities
Human resource professionals work in benefits, employee relations, compensation, diversity, consulting, technology, and much more. Which jobs are most widely available? The answer has much to do with current trends in human resources.
For example, as health care costs continue to rise, employers may look for professionals with expertise in selecting cost-effective health benefits plans. Because of the growing complexity of employment laws, more companies are looking for specialists with extensive knowledge of federal legislation, policies, and employment regulations. And as technology becomes standard for inter-office communication and human resource functions, professionals with a background in technology may also be in high demand.
Return on your educational investment
According to the BLS, employment of human resources managers will grow 22 percent from 2008 to 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations. Consider the following specialties and their mean annual wages:
Is human resources right for you?
Many people considering a career in human resources assume that you need to be a "people person" in order to succeed. While interpersonal skills are certainly important, many HR professionals point to other attributes that make for a successful manager. These include leadership, innovation, problem-solving, and the ability to work with diverse groups of people.
Professionals with these skills have led the country in setting the bar for employee-friendly businesses that are considered great places to work and that have a high level of productivity--and loyalty--among employees. If you are excited by the prospect of being one of those leaders, then HR could be a great career choice.
Human resources in its present form is vastly different from the personnel departments of the 1970s, which were fairly limited in scope. Human resources today encompasses hiring, training, retention, career development, safety, health, social advancement, retirement and the overall well-being of employees and even their families.
The job responsibilities of human resources professionals are similarly broad. While it is increasingly common to specialize--for example, in benefits, compensation, or safety and security--some human resource staff are generalists, who perform multiple functions. According to one seasoned professional, this type of generalist position requires you to be "one part coach, one part attorney, one part priest, one part detective, one part counselor, and one part politician."
The wide scope of the field can make human resources an exciting and challenging career--and one that requires the right education. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), college graduates and certified professionals will have the best opportunities for employment and advancement. While many colleges and universities don't offer a specific degree in human resources, a new generation of education options can help prepare students for a career in the field.
Human resources degree options
Human resources programs offer a wide range of degrees, from certificates and associate degrees to a master's. Most employers prefer applicants with a bachelor's degree for entry-level jobs, although an associate degree may also qualify you in some circumstances.
Human resources programs are offered on-campus, online, and in hybrid formats. Online human resources classes can be a particularly attractive option for working adults who want to move into human resources without leaving the workforce, or for entry-level employees wanting to build their skills in order to advance. Online courses enable you to take courses at your convenience, so your life doesn't have to entirely be put on hold.
Human resources courses at a glance
Human resources classes are sometimes offered through a business program or school--for example, a B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resource Management--while others are stand-alone degrees, such as a B.S. in Human Resource Management. Typical courses may include:
- Compensation and benefits
- Employee relations
- Industrial psychology
- Performance evaluation
- Principles of management
- Recruitment and selection
Career opportunities
Human resource professionals work in benefits, employee relations, compensation, diversity, consulting, technology, and much more. Which jobs are most widely available? The answer has much to do with current trends in human resources.
For example, as health care costs continue to rise, employers may look for professionals with expertise in selecting cost-effective health benefits plans. Because of the growing complexity of employment laws, more companies are looking for specialists with extensive knowledge of federal legislation, policies, and employment regulations. And as technology becomes standard for inter-office communication and human resource functions, professionals with a background in technology may also be in high demand.
Return on your educational investment
According to the BLS, employment of human resources managers will grow 22 percent from 2008 to 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations. Consider the following specialties and their mean annual wages:
- Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists: $58,520
- Compensation and benefits managers: $95,230
- Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists: $54,530
- Training and development managers: $94,360
- Human resources managers, all others: $105,510
Is human resources right for you?
Many people considering a career in human resources assume that you need to be a "people person" in order to succeed. While interpersonal skills are certainly important, many HR professionals point to other attributes that make for a successful manager. These include leadership, innovation, problem-solving, and the ability to work with diverse groups of people.
Professionals with these skills have led the country in setting the bar for employee-friendly businesses that are considered great places to work and that have a high level of productivity--and loyalty--among employees. If you are excited by the prospect of being one of those leaders, then HR could be a great career choice.
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