Human resources management students learn how to help employees meet their
full potential and maintain job satisfaction.
Different schools will offer different paths to a career in human resources
management. A school can have its own human resources management department,
or it may be part of business administration, organizational development,
human services or public administration.
Most programs are offered at the bachelor's or master's degree level,
but there are also many one- and two-year programs. However, many of these
shorter programs are for people who already have education or work experience
and want more education to move into a management position.
Many students go on to receive a master's or even a PhD degree in some
area of human resources management. Often, those with advanced degrees go
into consulting, teaching or writing. A master's degree may be needed for
some jobs, but those with bachelor's degrees can often be promoted to top
management or executive positions.
Before choosing a school, you may want to ask if it offers a co-op program.
Co-op programs are paid work placements that give you academic credit. They
help pay for your education and give you hands-on experience.
Most college programs look for students with a solid B average in the
final year of high school.
Jai Ghorpade, a professor of management at San Diego State University,
suggests students build a firm foundation with courses in math, statistics,
liberal arts and history.
Students need excellent communication skills, since human resources
managers have to write and speak effectively with people of various cultural
backgrounds, levels of education and experience.
Ghorpade feels that public speaking, or "any extracurricular activity that
brings a student out into the community," will help develop these vital communication
skills.
Maureen Nummelin is the coordinator of a postgraduate program in human
resources management. She recommends any type of activity that exposes a student
to any kind of management function.
She stresses the importance of "learning to work in teams, to become
self-motivated and directed, and to be able to deal with pressure and short
timelines."
The main costs are tuition and books, although you will have to pay a fee
if you want to join a professional association.
Links
Occupational Outlook Handbook
For more information related to this field of study, see: Human
Resources Managers
Society for Human Resources Management
A resource for HR professionals in more than 160 countries
HRM on the Internet
A plentiful list of related links