CAREERS IN HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Natural leadership qualities, a good memory, love for detail, ability to speak and write
well, ability to understand people, power to persuade, ability to make decisions and solve
problems -- these are a few of the characteristics of a successful person in the field of
Human Resource Management. Also helpful are skills in negotiating, coordinating work
with others, assessing situations, explaining issues, answering questions, interviewing,
advising, keeping records, gathering information, training in various personnel functions
to name a few.
Human resources includes all areas of an organizations dealings and relationships with its
employees, from the hiring of new staff members to planning programs to assisting
people when they leave the company. The increasing importance of keeping workers up-
to-date on changing technologies has emphasized the need to maintain and enforce an on-
going training and development program.
Director of HR may oversee several departments such as employment, compensation,
benefits, training and development or employee relations. Employment and Placement
Managers oversee the hiring and separation of employees. Recruiters maintain contacts
within the community and may travel extensively (often to college campuses) to search
for promising job applicants. Recruiters need to be thoroughly familiar with the
organization and its personnel policies to discuss wages, working conditions and
promotional opportunities with prospective employees. EEO Representatives investigate
and resolve EEO grievances, examine corporate practices for possible violations and
compile and submit EEO statistical reports. HR Metrics involves finding, measuring and
communicating the impact of human resource initiatives on the objectives of an
organization. It requires combining knowledge of measurement techniques and statistics,
but relies heavily on communication expertise, and a strong strategic view of people and
organizational success. Most recently, the area of Cultural Diversity Management (once
limited to fulfilling affirmative action obligations) is expected to grow significantly in
importance as it deals with the growing population of employees from diverse cultures
and the interests and needs of minority workers.
These are a few examples of types of opportunities available to individuals interested in
this field. Some employers seek and prefer applicants who have majored in human
resources, personnel administration or labor relations. Related course work can include
business, computer applications, psychology, economics, statistics and employment law.
Work experience is particularly helpful. Internships are available for both undergraduate
and graduate students.
Earnings vary depending on size and type of organization (business, non-profit,
government), geographic location; applicants’ education and experiences. You can find
salary information when you click on ILR postgraduate activities at:
http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/careerservices/genInfo/postgraduateSurveys.html
There are resources available in the Office of Career Services in the School of Industrial
and Labor Relations in 201 Ives Hall. Resources are also in the Cornell Career Services
in Barnes Hall.
On the ILR Career Services Web Page, there are several Special Links in Human
Resources that can be very helpful as well as provide up-to-date information. The general
location is: http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/careerservices/onlineResources/hr.html