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 upto-date on changing technologies has emphasized the need to maintain and enforce an ongoing 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