You’ve narrowed down your choices and have decided to pursue a career in human resources. Good decision! HR professionals have the important job of hiring, retaining and engaging the talented employees that keep an organization running smoothly. They perform an important internal business function and touch the lives and careers of every worker.
Now that you’ve got your mind set on a career in human resources, where to begin? Education is a good place to start. A bachelor’s degree prepares you for many specialists and generalist roles, while a master’s degree in HR will be required for more complex (and higher-paying) positions. For many employers, work experience will be required: Don’t expect to graduate and get your dream job right away. As you progress in your career, you’ll probably need to seek out additional training and certifications.
Still eager to get human resources career info? Here are five career paths in HR for you to consider:
Chief People Officer
The most important asset for any organization is its people. More and more companies are recognizing the strategic importance of human resources and elevating it as a priority at the executive leadership level.
Many companies are turning to the emerging C-suite position of chief people officer (CPO), making this executive leadership role responsible for coordinating and overseeing all of an organization’s human resources efforts, such as hiring and retaining employees, creating development opportunities and fostering a productive corporate culture.
In seeing the big picture of an organization’s culture and strategy, particularly for organizations wanting to become more employee-centric with their human resources departments, a master’s in organizational leadership, coupled with substantial experience in human resources management, can help prepare the aspiring chief people officer for the role.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):
- Top executive positions, like the chief people officer, are projected to grow by 4% through 2029.*
- The median annual wage stands at of $184,460, as of May 2019.*
Human Resources Managers/Directors
Good HR doesn’t just happen. It requires dedicated, knowledgeable professionals to execute on the carefully set a strategy and put in place the pieces to achieve it. HR managers and HR directors are those professionals under the Chief People Officer making the strategy a reality by setting the policies, programs and guidelines that attract, develop and retain the most talented workers.
Organizational psychology can help HR leaders learn how to engage employees, enhance productivity, create a collaborative environment and increase satisfaction — all elements that boost the bottom line and reduce costly turnover. Managers and directors typically have master’s degrees.
According to the BLS:
- These positions are projected to grow 6% from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations.*
- The median annual wage stands at $116,720, as of May 2019.*
Human Resources Coordinators/Specialists
As an HR coordinator/specialist, you’ll be the public face of the HR function, dealing directly with candidates and new hires. An essential part of your job will be to keep the HR organization running smoothly with duties including coordinating activities, conducting preliminary paperwork for recruiting and scheduling interviews. Specialists can start with an associates degree.
According to the BLS:
- These positions are projected to grow by 7% from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations.*
- The median annual wage stands at $61,920, as of May 2019.*
Benefits Specialists
A benefits specialist has the important role of researching, implementing and coordinating the organization’s various employee benefits programs, such as healthcare, retirement and insurance plans. This requires the ability to determine the costs and benefits of each program, as well as the insight to know what kinds of benefits will effectively attract and retain the best talent. Specialist roles typically require an associate’s degree.
According to the BLS:
- These positions are projected to grow by 8% from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations.
- The median annual wage stands at $64,560, as of May 2019.*
Training and Development Managers
To be effective, an organization needs to provide each employee with the skills, training and development opportunities he or she needs to work productively. In addition, training is necessary to help employees understand the organizational culture, shared behaviors and company expectations. As a training and development manager, you’ll help plan and coordinate these programs. You’ll need a keen understanding of the company and industry so that you can anticipate opportunities and challenges that will require training to address. You’ll most likely need a master’s degree to take on a management role.
According to the BLS:
- These positions are projected to grow by 7% from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations.*
- The median annual wage stands at $113,350, as of May 2019.*
Note: In this article, national long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth. Information provided is not intended to represent a complete list of hiring companies or job titles, and program options do not guarantee career or salary outcomes. Students should conduct independent research for specific employment information.