What can I do with a major in Human Resource Management?

Human Resource Managers are the link between employers and their employees.  They are concerned with issues that affect men and women at work.  HR Specialists recruit and interview employees and advise employers on hiring policies.  In addition, HR Managers help firms to effectively utilize their employees’ skills to boost employee satisfaction.  They work to optimize employee performance as well as working with employee benefits, compensation issues, labor relations, union issues, performance appraisal, health and safety in union, nonunion, domestic, and multinational organizations.

Related Occupations:
 

Possible employers of Human Resource Management majors:

Skills important for Human Resource Management majors:

• Ability to clearly communicate ideas and concepts to others
• Proficient in organizing, planning, coordinating and directing activities
• Work well under pressure
• Proficient in written and oral communications
• Ability to do mathematical calculations in order to compute wage, insurance and benefit information
• Strong ability to research and predict trends
• Willingness to make decisions and take responsibility
• Ability to negotiate

• Do an internship
• Participate in oratory contests
• Assist in planning a civic or social event
• Attend lectures, workshops, and conferences related to human resource management
• Work part-time or as a volunteer interviewer, trainer, or researcher 
• Join a professional business association

Print Resources:

• Adams, Bob, et. al.  The Adams Resume Almanac.  Bob Adams, Inc, 1994.

• Colorado Occupational Outlook Handbook:  Occupational Briefs.  Colorado Career Information, 1998.

• Gordon, Edward, et. al.  Opportunities in Training & Developing Careers.  VGM Career Horizons, (latest edition).

• Hadley, Joyce.  Where the Jobs Are.  Career Press, 1995.

• Hornaday, John and  Lucinda Gibson.  The Kuder Book of People Who Like Their Work.  Motivation Press, 1995.

• Human Resource Specialist.  Occupational Outlook Handbook.  U.S. Dept. of Labor (latest edition).

• Schaffer, William.  Hi Tech Jobs for Lo Tech People.  American Management Association, 1994.

• Shraver, Robert.  Opportunities in Insurance Careers. VGM Career Books, (latest edition).

• Stair, Lila B.  Careers in Business.  VGM Career Books, (latest edition).

Internet Resources:

• Human Resources, Training, and Labor Relations Specialists Managers, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Career Center & Internet Resources for Human Resource Management Majors
• Career Magazine
• HR Live

Professional Associations:

• American Management Association
• American Society for Training and Development
• Human Resource Planning Society
• National Human Resources Association
• Organization Development Network
• Society for Human Resource Management

• College Majors and Careers: A Resource Guide for Effective Life Planning, Revised Edition by Paul Phifer; 1997; Garret Park; Garret Park Press.
• The Career Center at CU-Denver’s homepage: www.cudenver.edu/Student+Life/Career+Center/default.htm
• Fort Lewis College, Career Service’s homepage: http//cso.fortlewis.edu
• 150 Popular College Majors by College Board; 1992.
• The Occupational Outlook Handbook; 1998; US Dept. of Labor