What can I do with a major in human resource management?

Search for opportunities

Companies:
Keller Williams Realty Partners
Target
Sholes Construction, Inc.

Titles:
Human Resources Manager
Human Resource Assistant
HR Representative

Search for employers hiring graduates in your major

Employers in NY: 1,396
Employers in US: 27,571

 

Explore the numerous career fields related to your major

Human Resources
Areas

Benefits
Compensation
Employee Relations
Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS)
Labor Relations
Selection and Placement
Recruiting
Retention
Occupational Safety
Equal Employment Opportunity
Diversity Issues
Policy Development

Employers

Financial institutions
Hotel, restaurant, and retail chains
Manufacturing firms
Hospitals and healthcare organizations
Educational institutions
Employment and staffing agencies
Professional employment organizations (PEOs)
Other medium and large size organizations
Nonprofit organizations
Labor unions
Federal government agencies including:

  • Department of Labor 
  • Employment Security Commission 
  • Bureau of Labor

Local and state government agencies

Training and Development
Areas

Industrial Training
Technology Training
Management Development
Employee and Organizational Development
Performance Improvement
Organizational Change

Employers

Corporate universities
Consulting firms
Manufacturing companies
Retail and customer service industries
Restaurant and hotel chains
Business and industry training facilities
Educational institutions

Non-profit
Areas

Development
Volunteer Coordination
Programming
Administration

Employers

Community agencies 
Healthcare organizations 
Private foundations

Business
Areas

Management
Operations Management
Customer Service
Marketing
Sales

Employers

Public and private corporations including:

  • Retail stores 
  • Banks and financial institutions
  • Insurance firms 
  • Manufacturers
  • Product and service organizations
Law
Areas

Arbitration and Mediation
Labor Relations
Employment Law

Employers

Law firms
Large corporations
Government agencies
Public interest legal agencies

Industrial/Organizational Psychology
Areas

Organizational Development
Assessment and Evaluation
Personnel Selection
Performance Appraisal
Job Analysis
Individual Development
Labor Relations
Ergonomics
Teaching
Research

Employers

Consulting firms
Educational services
Colleges and universities
Private and public companies
Government agencies
Military research organizations
Test preparation companies

General information and strategies

  • You may have to start in entry level positions within organizations and work up to positions of greater responsibility.
  • Develop an area of expertise along the way.
  • Graduate education including MBA, MS, or JD qualifies one for higher salaries and positions with greater responsibility.
  • Obtain internships in an area of interest such as human resources, training, or organizational development.
  • Participate in related co-curricular activities and obtain leadership positions to broaden skills.
  • Successful human resource professionals are business-minded and well-rounded.
  • Cultivate "hard skills" such as technology and statistics along with "soft skills" such as mediating and advising.
  • Develop excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
  • Demonstrate a strong desire to work with people of various backgrounds and educational levels.
  • Learn desktop publishing and other software packages.
  • Become familiar with current business literature and news.
  • Join professional associations in field of interest, such as American Society for Training and Development, Society for Human Resource Management, American Management Association, Employment Management Association, Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, and others.
  • Network with human resource managers through professional association meetings and conferences.
  • After gaining two years of professional experience in human resources, prepare to take the Professional Human Resource Exam (PHR) to increase job opportunities and earning potential.
    • Research other specialized certifications such as the Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS).