If you enjoy working with people and want to make a positive impact on the lives of employees, then a career in human resources (HR) may be right for you. From entry-level roles in HR to HR management roles, plenty of opportunity exists. Read on to gain a better understanding of what HR professionals do and the numerous benefits of working in human resources so you can determine whether this career path may be right for you.
Overview of HR Functions
Generally speaking, human resources involves the coordination of an organization’s recruiting, training, employee relations, and performance management. The HR department plays a critical role within any organization, especially in managing a company’s most valuable asset: its workers.
Some of the most common functions of an HR team include:
- Recruitment and staffing – This encompasses talent acquisition, job postings and advertisements, and interviewing and selection.
- Onboarding and orientation – This entails new hire orientation, paperwork and documentation, and training and development.
- Training and development – This may entail skill development programs, career development, and performance management.
- Compensation and benefits – This encompasses salary and wage administration, benefits management, and payroll processing.
- Employee relations – This entails conflict resolution, employee engagement, and policy implementation.
- Compliance and legal – This encompasses labor law compliance, health and safety, and equal employment opportunity.
- Performance management – This involves performance appraisals, goal setting and feedback, and development plans.
- Succession planning – This entails identifying key roles as well as managing employee records and data privacy/security.
- Employee wellness programs – This might comprise matters like health and wellness initiatives or work-life balance.
- Organizational development – This could entail change management, culture development, and employee surveys.
Is HR a Good Career? 12 Reasons to Work in HR
Why work in HR? From the ability to have a positive impact on the employee experience to the potential for career advancement, there are a range of reasons to consider getting into this important line of work.
Impactful Employee Experience
1. Improve Employee Experience
HR professionals have the unique opportunity to boost employee satisfaction and well-being directly through their work by implementing and executing effective policies and practices. From setting up employee wellness programs and implementing flexible work arrangements to launching employee recognition programs, these initiatives can make a major difference in employee satisfaction.
2. Drive Organizational Success
In many ways, HR professionals can contribute to achieving organizational goals in their everyday work. This is particularly true when it comes to their work in the recruitment, development, and retention of top talent. HR professionals also take on the crucial strategic role of aligning human capital with business objectives, which can have a substantial impact on the company’s long-term success.
Diverse Career Opportunities and Growth
3. Variety of Roles in HR
No matter where your specific interests may lie, there are ample opportunities for work in HR that may suit you. Whether you prefer a broader role as an HR generalist or would rather specialize in recruitment, training and development, or compensation and benefits, numerous HR positions are worth exploring. Meanwhile, there is enough flexibility in the field to move between different HR functions and specializations as your interests and professional goals evolve.
4. Career Advancement and Leadership
In addition to diverse roles to consider, there are also various opportunities for advancement within the HR field. From entry-level and mid-level positions to senior management roles (such as HR director and chief human resources officer), you can move your way up the proverbial ladder with the right education, experience, and professional development.
5. Global Opportunities
If you’ve dreamed of taking your career abroad, human resources is a field with demand across the globe. This means you may be able to work in international HR roles, especially in multinational corporations. In these types of positions, having a firm grasp of global HR best practices and cross-cultural communication are keys to success.
Personal and Professional Development
6. Develop Essential Skills
Working in HR also gives you the opportunity to develop some essential skills that you can apply to other areas of your life. This includes:
- Written and verbal communication
- Conflict resolution
- Negotiation
- Strategic thinking
- Data analysis
7. Continuous Learning and Adaptability
The field of HR is dynamic—constantly changing and evolving. HR professionals, then, have plenty of opportunities to learn about new laws, regulations, technologies, and industry trends that can affect their work. By engaging in continuous education, such as pursuing certifications and degrees, HR professionals can more easily stay on top of changes as they occur.
Job Stability and Satisfaction
8. Strong Job Outlook
HR professionals are needed in just about every industry imaginable, meaning they tend to enjoy considerable job stability.
9. Job Satisfaction and Fulfillment
Additionally, a career in HR can be highly rewarding and fulfilling, especially for those who enjoy working with people and helping others. In HR roles, you can see the direct impacts of your work as you help employees and contribute to a more positive work environment.
Trends and Innovations
10. Digital Transformation in HR
There is no shortage of exciting technologies and innovations occurring in HR that you can be a part of when entering the field—ranging from the use of human resource information systems (HRIS) and robust data analytics to artificial intelligence (AI) in recruitment practices.
11. Focus on Employee Well-Being and Mental Health
With a growing emphasis on employee welfare and mental health, HR professionals are also enjoying the opportunity to lead more initiatives that aim to support employees’ holistic well-being.
12. Remote Work and Flexibility
In some cases, HR professionals may be able to take on remote roles and other flexible work schedules that deviate from a conventional 9-to-5 office role. This may be appealing to those who want a less traditional schedule.
How to Become a Human Resource Manager
For many professionals who work in HR for some time, advancing into human resource manager roles is a natural progression.
What is a human resource manager? Compared to a traditional HR job, human resource managers oversee entire HR departments and take on more of a strategic role within an organization. For instance, they might work specifically as labor relations directors, payroll managers, or even recruiting and staffing managers.
So, how do you advance your human resource career to become an HR manager?
Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
Typically, human resource managers start with a bachelor’s degree in human resource management, business administration, industrial organizational psychology, or a related field. The Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in HR Management at Baker College, for example, is an ideal option because it is not only offered entirely online but also includes two 120-hour work experiences to give students hands-on experience in the field.
Develop Key HR Skills
In addition to earning a bachelor’s degree in a related field, HR managers need to develop strong verbal and written communication skills. This is essential for interacting with employees, management, and employee stakeholders within an organization.
Likewise, HR managers tend to deal with large volumes of data (including recruitment, retention, performance, and similar metrics), so they should possess data analysis skills and the ability to apply data-driven decision-making in their everyday work.
Meanwhile, because HR managers are leaders, they also must have solid leadership, team management, and conflict resolution skills to effectively lead teams and manage employee relations.
Obtain HR Certifications
Although specific certifications in HR may not be required in order to pursue a management role, many employers do prefer that candidates have relevant professional certifications under their belts. In HR management, a few popular certifications to consider include:
- Professional in Human Resources (PHR)
- Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR)
- Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP)
Gaining certifications is a great way to validate your knowledge and skills in the field while also enhancing your resume, demonstrating your expertise, and potentially improving your prospects for career advancement.
Gain Relevant Experience
Because HR managers often oversee entire HR departments, they need to have a solid understanding of what human resource specialists do. With this in mind, having some previous experience in entry-level to mid-level HR roles is important because it can help aspiring HR managers gain experience in areas such as talent management, employee relations, compensation/benefits, and recruiting.
Maintain a Strong Professional Reputation
Throughout their careers, HR professionals who wish to eventually become HR managers also need to maintain an excellent reputation. This means upholding high ethical standards and integrity in all HR practices as well as demonstrating a track record of successful HR initiatives with proven outcomes.
Start Your HR Degree Online at Baker
Working in HR can be an excellent career option for those who genuinely enjoy a people-centric work environment. Plus, with the right education and training, there’s plenty of room for advancement into HR manager roles and other leadership positions.Ready to start exploring human resource degrees? Baker College offers a bachelor’s degree in human resource management program that can be taken 100% online for your convenience.
Learn more about Baker’s human resource management degree online by requesting information, or get started with your online application for enrollment today.