14 answers
Abby
Student
3
Questions
Asked
3872 views
What is a good path for a human resources career?
Hi! I am Abby, and I don't actually know what I'm going to do with my life. It's a little intimidating and scary as a high school senior. I have done some research on what I am interested in, and declared my major at most prospective schools as psychology. I genuinely like it and I feel like it opens doors to different future careers. However, it is not something I can see myself doing forever, and most psychology majors have to pursue a post-BA education to have a shot at a job. While I am interested in psych, I think a career like HR or another corporate path would work and to keep the door open, I wanted to see if anyone had any advice on how to get started, or what paths people took. My main questions are:
- How will it take to exit the "entry level" tier in HR?
- How well paying is it? Or, how long did it take to get to a well paying position? This is not something that's extremely high on my list of factors, but I do think it matters quite a bit.
- How large is the potential for growth (promotions, bonuses, etc)?
- How hard is it to find a job?
- Will a psychology major be looked down upon in the hiring sense? I have heard from other sources that this may be an occurrence for psych majors looking to go corporate.
- Any other career advice or other potential paths?
Thank you so much for your time, and any advice is appreciated! #psychology #college #college-major #career #major #corporate #humanresources #psychologymajor #business #chro #management
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14 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1616
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Abby if you have the desire to help a organization find the best talent and help employees reach their full potential? Human resource professionals can be found in every industry and sector including education, healthcare, business, social service, and government. Human resource management professionals need skills in psychology, communication, business, finance, marketing, human services, and management. While earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resource Managements is perhaps the most direct route toward a career in HR, psychology remains one of the most popular college majors.
BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN PSYCHOLOGY – A bachelor’s in psychology would provide you with a broad understanding of the factors that influence behavior and performance. Programs in psychology offer courses that develop critical thinking, scientific problem solving, research skills, and technical writing abilities. Future Human Resource Management professionals can use these skills to understand what motivates their staff, create meaningful incentives, and improve employee performance through contemporary theories in psychology. Most programs can be completed in four years including an internship experience or senior project. Graduates are prepared to work as life skills instructors, research associates, training and development professionals, case managers, consultants and human resource management professionals. Some programs offer a program track or minor in business which can be a great compliment for you if your planning to pursue management or human resources career. Many graduates use a psychology degree as a stepping stone for graduate work in psychology, human resources, healthcare administration, or business. The demand for psychologists is expected to grow by 14% through 2026, or faster than average. While it takes a doctorate degree to become a psychologist, the knowledge and skills acquired through bachelor’s level programs will provide you with the ability to work in a variety of areas including human resources or social service. Money isn’t everything, of course Abby, but human resource salaries and earning potentials are still an important piece of the puzzle for anyone considering a career in this field.
HR SPECIALIST – Median annual salary: $68,900 – The HR specialist job title encompasses many of the primary HR positions, such as recruiter and HR generalist. Typically, these professionals recruit, screen, interview and place employees, while also handling tasks related to employee relations and orientation. Human resources specialists might also administer benefits, process payroll and field problems. HR specialists also tend to have a strategic focus for their companies, planning and hiring to fit current and future needs. In short, these specialists are the skilled HR professionals who handle a large portion of the execution of day-to-day initiatives. HR specialists typically need a Bachelor’s degree
HR MANAGER – Median annual salary: $116,500 – Human resources managers oversee, plan and direct the administrative functions of an organization, according to the BLS. This can involve guiding the recruitment and onboarding of new staff, strategic planning with executives and sometimes overseeing HR teams and programs, such as compensation, employee retention and employee relations. Overall, human resources managers are responsible for maximizing the value of the organization’s employees. Larger companies might hire specific managers for each department in HR as well, such as payroll managers or recruiting managers. HR managers need at least Bachelor’s degree and several years of related work experience. These jobs are certainly competitive, and candidates with a Master’s degree will likely have the best prospects.
Human resources from top to bottom is all about people and a psychology major would you understand what type of personalities would contribute to a company’s success. Now that you have a better idea of what human resources salaries are out there, you are better equipped to chart an ambitious HR career path. It’s no surprise that the higher-paying management positions require some time and experience in HR, but if you have a plan for the positions you want to work toward, you can make informed choices from the beginning.
Hope this was helpful Abby
BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN PSYCHOLOGY – A bachelor’s in psychology would provide you with a broad understanding of the factors that influence behavior and performance. Programs in psychology offer courses that develop critical thinking, scientific problem solving, research skills, and technical writing abilities. Future Human Resource Management professionals can use these skills to understand what motivates their staff, create meaningful incentives, and improve employee performance through contemporary theories in psychology. Most programs can be completed in four years including an internship experience or senior project. Graduates are prepared to work as life skills instructors, research associates, training and development professionals, case managers, consultants and human resource management professionals. Some programs offer a program track or minor in business which can be a great compliment for you if your planning to pursue management or human resources career. Many graduates use a psychology degree as a stepping stone for graduate work in psychology, human resources, healthcare administration, or business. The demand for psychologists is expected to grow by 14% through 2026, or faster than average. While it takes a doctorate degree to become a psychologist, the knowledge and skills acquired through bachelor’s level programs will provide you with the ability to work in a variety of areas including human resources or social service. Money isn’t everything, of course Abby, but human resource salaries and earning potentials are still an important piece of the puzzle for anyone considering a career in this field.
HR SPECIALIST – Median annual salary: $68,900 – The HR specialist job title encompasses many of the primary HR positions, such as recruiter and HR generalist. Typically, these professionals recruit, screen, interview and place employees, while also handling tasks related to employee relations and orientation. Human resources specialists might also administer benefits, process payroll and field problems. HR specialists also tend to have a strategic focus for their companies, planning and hiring to fit current and future needs. In short, these specialists are the skilled HR professionals who handle a large portion of the execution of day-to-day initiatives. HR specialists typically need a Bachelor’s degree
HR MANAGER – Median annual salary: $116,500 – Human resources managers oversee, plan and direct the administrative functions of an organization, according to the BLS. This can involve guiding the recruitment and onboarding of new staff, strategic planning with executives and sometimes overseeing HR teams and programs, such as compensation, employee retention and employee relations. Overall, human resources managers are responsible for maximizing the value of the organization’s employees. Larger companies might hire specific managers for each department in HR as well, such as payroll managers or recruiting managers. HR managers need at least Bachelor’s degree and several years of related work experience. These jobs are certainly competitive, and candidates with a Master’s degree will likely have the best prospects.
Human resources from top to bottom is all about people and a psychology major would you understand what type of personalities would contribute to a company’s success. Now that you have a better idea of what human resources salaries are out there, you are better equipped to chart an ambitious HR career path. It’s no surprise that the higher-paying management positions require some time and experience in HR, but if you have a plan for the positions you want to work toward, you can make informed choices from the beginning.
Hope this was helpful Abby
Nathan Jeune-Manning
Human Resources
1
Answer
Auckland, New Zealand
Updated
Nathan’s Answer
Hey Abby.
After discussing this with some colleagues, we have the following suggestions we think could be helpful:
Talk to your careers advisor (if applicable), and look into internships (especially ones with rotations) and volunteering opportunities (this could also be a part time job) to show that you're able to develop skills etc outside of your typical school.
Additionally you should ask around and see who you know in this industry as well. Talk to people within this role directly if possible and those who are just starting out in this role. How did they make this transition?
Background in Psychology (as others note) will not hurt you. I guess, just index on making sure you enjoy people and the fun complexities they can add to the mix.
In regards to compensation. This does tend to differ based on what industry you may 'HR' in. Also depending on if you remain generalist or specialise this can impact compensation.
Lots of room for growth and development and opportunity in this field, HR is people, people are consistent in every organisation, being open to change and development opportunities. The market has more opportunity to enter right now so you should be able to find a few out there.
When interviewing and CV's - think through the cover letter and how you can apply the companies values to your own experience and why they resonate. Follow up is important too - be considered in how you follow up after and discuss your learnings. And when interviewing, really index on why you're passionate about the specific role - discuss your experiences to date and learnings that'll help you be successful in the role.
After discussing this with some colleagues, we have the following suggestions we think could be helpful:
Talk to your careers advisor (if applicable), and look into internships (especially ones with rotations) and volunteering opportunities (this could also be a part time job) to show that you're able to develop skills etc outside of your typical school.
Additionally you should ask around and see who you know in this industry as well. Talk to people within this role directly if possible and those who are just starting out in this role. How did they make this transition?
Background in Psychology (as others note) will not hurt you. I guess, just index on making sure you enjoy people and the fun complexities they can add to the mix.
In regards to compensation. This does tend to differ based on what industry you may 'HR' in. Also depending on if you remain generalist or specialise this can impact compensation.
Lots of room for growth and development and opportunity in this field, HR is people, people are consistent in every organisation, being open to change and development opportunities. The market has more opportunity to enter right now so you should be able to find a few out there.
When interviewing and CV's - think through the cover letter and how you can apply the companies values to your own experience and why they resonate. Follow up is important too - be considered in how you follow up after and discuss your learnings. And when interviewing, really index on why you're passionate about the specific role - discuss your experiences to date and learnings that'll help you be successful in the role.
Thank you so much for the in depth answer!
Abby
Shakia Henderson
Recruiter
3
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Shakia’s Answer
Hi Abby,
As a HR professional, I can definitely tell you a psychology degree will not be looked down upon. In my experience, employers are more-so concerned with your interpersonal skills and how you relate to people. I got my start as a recruiter. The position was very entry level working for a “temp service” after nearly two years of experience I moved to the corporate world and was quickly promoted. I am compensated well with lots of room for growth at my current company. You can always branch out into management or training! I am considered “mid level” and have plans to pursue further schooling later in my career. I hope this helps!
As a HR professional, I can definitely tell you a psychology degree will not be looked down upon. In my experience, employers are more-so concerned with your interpersonal skills and how you relate to people. I got my start as a recruiter. The position was very entry level working for a “temp service” after nearly two years of experience I moved to the corporate world and was quickly promoted. I am compensated well with lots of room for growth at my current company. You can always branch out into management or training! I am considered “mid level” and have plans to pursue further schooling later in my career. I hope this helps!
Thank you so much for the advice!
Abby
Christopher Bland MBA, Ph.D.
Scientist
6
Answers
Updated
Christopher’s Answer
Hey Abby,
I hope you get a good answer to your question. I personally am not in HR but I do know / work with a lot of HR professionals.
I would say in terms of their undergraduate training there a several who do have a BS/BA in psychology, but virtually all of them also have some additional training like an MBA or advanced degree in industrial psychology. The rest have a undergraduate majors from the business school as well as a smattering of other humanities (like history and sociology). A deep understanding of psychology (especially behavioral and industrial psychology) is valuable in HR but I would say it’s often considered essential to have additional business training.
You are correct in that many in the cooperate world largely views psychology as a degree that’s really earned in preparation for additional education (such as a masters degree). If you are interested in a undergraduate degree that will get you the most mileage in the corporate world without additional training, you may want to consider business administration, accounting, etc. and perhaps minor of psychology (or double major).
Hopefully someone with direct experience working in HR can give you a more detailed answer soon.
Best of luck!
I hope you get a good answer to your question. I personally am not in HR but I do know / work with a lot of HR professionals.
I would say in terms of their undergraduate training there a several who do have a BS/BA in psychology, but virtually all of them also have some additional training like an MBA or advanced degree in industrial psychology. The rest have a undergraduate majors from the business school as well as a smattering of other humanities (like history and sociology). A deep understanding of psychology (especially behavioral and industrial psychology) is valuable in HR but I would say it’s often considered essential to have additional business training.
You are correct in that many in the cooperate world largely views psychology as a degree that’s really earned in preparation for additional education (such as a masters degree). If you are interested in a undergraduate degree that will get you the most mileage in the corporate world without additional training, you may want to consider business administration, accounting, etc. and perhaps minor of psychology (or double major).
Hopefully someone with direct experience working in HR can give you a more detailed answer soon.
Best of luck!
This was super helpful, thank you!
Abby
Amanda Kishfy
People in Deals Senior Associate
13
Answers
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Amanda’s Answer
Hi Abby -
Great to hear that you are doing a good amount of research on your end for career paths and majors related to HR roles.
Brief background about myself and my role in HR: I majored in Economics, which is versatile and applicable to many roles, from entry level to more senior levels. I initially worked in a tax position for a few years, before transitioning to a human resource-like role. I currently work in mergers & acquisitions deals consulting, and help support organizations from the people perspective. We look at understanding employee workforce, benefits and insurances (such as medical, vision, dental, retirement, etc.), HR policies, organizational design, employee engagement, diversity and inclusion, and workforce changes.
---------------------------------------------------------
I've answered some of your questions below:
- How will it take to exit the "entry level" tier in HR? Based on my experience, many entry level positions range from 1.5 years to 3 years.
- How well paying is it? Or, how long did it take to get to a well paying position? This is not something that's extremely high on my list of factors, but I do think it matters quite a bit. This will vary depending on role. You can look at market ranges or responses via Glassdoor for a particular position.
- How hard is it to find a job? Based on my experience, I would say it depends on the location and the exact role. By talking with recruiters, alumni, and searching job sites such as LinkedIn, you will realize there are more opportunities out there than you would think.
- Will a psychology major be looked down upon in the hiring sense? I have heard from other sources that this may be an occurrence for psych majors looking to go corporate. Do not let this limit you. Hiring is not all about the major! It's about what you can bring - whether that be from internship experience, leadership roles in colleges, and feeling passionate about the job that you want.
---------------------------------------------------------
Best of luck!
Great to hear that you are doing a good amount of research on your end for career paths and majors related to HR roles.
Brief background about myself and my role in HR: I majored in Economics, which is versatile and applicable to many roles, from entry level to more senior levels. I initially worked in a tax position for a few years, before transitioning to a human resource-like role. I currently work in mergers & acquisitions deals consulting, and help support organizations from the people perspective. We look at understanding employee workforce, benefits and insurances (such as medical, vision, dental, retirement, etc.), HR policies, organizational design, employee engagement, diversity and inclusion, and workforce changes.
---------------------------------------------------------
I've answered some of your questions below:
- How will it take to exit the "entry level" tier in HR? Based on my experience, many entry level positions range from 1.5 years to 3 years.
- How well paying is it? Or, how long did it take to get to a well paying position? This is not something that's extremely high on my list of factors, but I do think it matters quite a bit. This will vary depending on role. You can look at market ranges or responses via Glassdoor for a particular position.
- How hard is it to find a job? Based on my experience, I would say it depends on the location and the exact role. By talking with recruiters, alumni, and searching job sites such as LinkedIn, you will realize there are more opportunities out there than you would think.
- Will a psychology major be looked down upon in the hiring sense? I have heard from other sources that this may be an occurrence for psych majors looking to go corporate. Do not let this limit you. Hiring is not all about the major! It's about what you can bring - whether that be from internship experience, leadership roles in colleges, and feeling passionate about the job that you want.
---------------------------------------------------------
Best of luck!
This was super helpful and encouraging, thank you!
Abby
Tracee Petrillo Murphy
People Partner (HR)
1
Answer
Framingham, Massachusetts
Updated
Tracee’s Answer
Hi Abby-
First of all, it is very normal to not know what you want to do with your career. In fact, most people will have several "careers" during their lifetime.
Specifically, regarding your HR questions:
- How will it take to exit the "entry level" tier in HR? It depends on your interest and willingness to explore different opportunities. Careers in HR are often not "linear" and you may want to explore several different entry level roles in HR. It is likely, though, that you should expect to spend a couple of years in an entry level position before moving to the next level.
- How well paying is it? Or, how long did it take to get to a well paying position? This is not something that's extremely high on my list of factors, but I do think it matters quite a bit. This depends on several factors including the industry, where you live (geography), and the specific role. You can make a good living in HR positions.
- How large is the potential for growth (promotions, bonuses, etc)? There can be lots of opportunities for growth and promotions if you are willing to work hard.
- How hard is it to find a job? If you have completed an internship or have some office experience, it can make finding a job easier.
- Will a psychology major be looked down upon in the hiring sense? I have heard from other sources that this may be an occurrence for psych majors looking to go corporate. A psychology major can be looked favorably upon--understanding people is really important!
- Any other career advice or other potential paths? The skills that you learn within this major can be really helpful in most jobs involving people.
First of all, it is very normal to not know what you want to do with your career. In fact, most people will have several "careers" during their lifetime.
Specifically, regarding your HR questions:
- How will it take to exit the "entry level" tier in HR? It depends on your interest and willingness to explore different opportunities. Careers in HR are often not "linear" and you may want to explore several different entry level roles in HR. It is likely, though, that you should expect to spend a couple of years in an entry level position before moving to the next level.
- How well paying is it? Or, how long did it take to get to a well paying position? This is not something that's extremely high on my list of factors, but I do think it matters quite a bit. This depends on several factors including the industry, where you live (geography), and the specific role. You can make a good living in HR positions.
- How large is the potential for growth (promotions, bonuses, etc)? There can be lots of opportunities for growth and promotions if you are willing to work hard.
- How hard is it to find a job? If you have completed an internship or have some office experience, it can make finding a job easier.
- Will a psychology major be looked down upon in the hiring sense? I have heard from other sources that this may be an occurrence for psych majors looking to go corporate. A psychology major can be looked favorably upon--understanding people is really important!
- Any other career advice or other potential paths? The skills that you learn within this major can be really helpful in most jobs involving people.
This was super helpful, thank you! I am very grateful you took the time to answer this question.
Abby
Michael Chen
People Systems
3
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Hi Abby,
HR is a large field and there are many different types of opportunities within the space. Hopefully the information to your questions can help.
- How will it take to exit the "entry level" tier in HR?
Landing an internship in college will greatly increase your odds in landing an entry level position once you exit out of college. There are many companies that offer a rotational program for HR, where you will be able to experience the different fields. It is a lot easier to get an internship because you will not be expected to have prior relevant work experience and it will set you apart from many of the other candidates.
- How hard is it to find a job?
There are many HR jobs available and some are easier to find than others.
- Will a psychology major be looked down upon in the hiring sense? I have heard from other sources that this may be an occurrence for psych majors looking to go corporate.
No, if you have relevant internship or work experience, you will have an easier time in the hiring process. I have also worked with many directors and senior managers who have a psych major
- Any other career advice or other potential paths?
Consider combining your interests. For example, if you like HR and have an interest in working with technology, look at opportunities within HRIS.
HR is a large field and there are many different types of opportunities within the space. Hopefully the information to your questions can help.
- How will it take to exit the "entry level" tier in HR?
Landing an internship in college will greatly increase your odds in landing an entry level position once you exit out of college. There are many companies that offer a rotational program for HR, where you will be able to experience the different fields. It is a lot easier to get an internship because you will not be expected to have prior relevant work experience and it will set you apart from many of the other candidates.
- How hard is it to find a job?
There are many HR jobs available and some are easier to find than others.
- Will a psychology major be looked down upon in the hiring sense? I have heard from other sources that this may be an occurrence for psych majors looking to go corporate.
No, if you have relevant internship or work experience, you will have an easier time in the hiring process. I have also worked with many directors and senior managers who have a psych major
- Any other career advice or other potential paths?
Consider combining your interests. For example, if you like HR and have an interest in working with technology, look at opportunities within HRIS.
This was super helpful, thank you!
Abby
Luis Pacheco
7
Answers
Updated
Luis’s Answer
Hi Abby,
Great questions and speaking as someone who transitioned careers from Corporate Finance/Accounting into Human Resources & Recruiting, I'm happy to share some insight.
First, the most common college degrees that companies prefer when hiring HR professionals are HR, Business Management and Psychology. Psychology is a very common degree for many HR professionals and it's a great educational background as it helps you better understand and handle a company's biggest asset....PEOPLE! Psych is very transferable.
HR is a great career and area of business to be in as it's always needed at any company, it's in high demand (even more so now with the COVID pandemic), and it's usually listed in top growing fields. In regards to pay/salary, it may not be as high as say Finance or IT, but HR does pay well and can vary depending on your area of HR. Human Resources has many specialties, including Recruiting/Talent Acquisition, Talent Management, Compensation, Employee/Labor Relations, Payroll, Diversity Equity & Inclusion, etc. You could also be a Generalist or AKA Human Resources Business Partner, which are individuals that touch a little bit of many or several areas of HR instead of focusing on 1 HR specialty.
HR professionals normally make $50-150K+ depending on the level and stage of your career. There is a lot of room to grow and get promoted and increase salary. It is not a difficult field to get into because you can either land an entry-level Corporate HR type of job or start your HR career in Recruiting at a staffing agency, which is a very common entry point for many HR professionals. Personally, when I changed careers to Recruiting/HR I started at a staffing agency, which was fantastic recruitment, sales and business development training that has been invaluable to my HR career. I know many HR professionals that started in staffing agencies, usually doing it for at least 1-2 years before switching to Corporate Recruiting or HR.
Great questions and speaking as someone who transitioned careers from Corporate Finance/Accounting into Human Resources & Recruiting, I'm happy to share some insight.
First, the most common college degrees that companies prefer when hiring HR professionals are HR, Business Management and Psychology. Psychology is a very common degree for many HR professionals and it's a great educational background as it helps you better understand and handle a company's biggest asset....PEOPLE! Psych is very transferable.
HR is a great career and area of business to be in as it's always needed at any company, it's in high demand (even more so now with the COVID pandemic), and it's usually listed in top growing fields. In regards to pay/salary, it may not be as high as say Finance or IT, but HR does pay well and can vary depending on your area of HR. Human Resources has many specialties, including Recruiting/Talent Acquisition, Talent Management, Compensation, Employee/Labor Relations, Payroll, Diversity Equity & Inclusion, etc. You could also be a Generalist or AKA Human Resources Business Partner, which are individuals that touch a little bit of many or several areas of HR instead of focusing on 1 HR specialty.
HR professionals normally make $50-150K+ depending on the level and stage of your career. There is a lot of room to grow and get promoted and increase salary. It is not a difficult field to get into because you can either land an entry-level Corporate HR type of job or start your HR career in Recruiting at a staffing agency, which is a very common entry point for many HR professionals. Personally, when I changed careers to Recruiting/HR I started at a staffing agency, which was fantastic recruitment, sales and business development training that has been invaluable to my HR career. I know many HR professionals that started in staffing agencies, usually doing it for at least 1-2 years before switching to Corporate Recruiting or HR.
Manda Joy
People Operations (HR)
10
Answers
Fort Worth, Texas
Updated
Manda’s Answer
Hi Abby,
I'm an adult working in HR and I decided to get a bachelor's degree in psychology to help me further my career. Many employers want an undergraduate degree as a minimum qualification, regardless of major. But psychology is definitely relevant to HR! Almost every school offers Psychology as a major; I specifically chose a school that offered it as a Bachelor of Science (rather than Bachelor of Arts, so that there is more of a research focus) and offers a concentration in Workplace Psychology. If you can find a school that offers a similar concentration or minor (Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Organizational Leadership, or HR Management) that would be helpful. I will say that Psychology is not taught from the lens of HR/Business, so if you really want to learn about HR, you might get more out of a Human Resource Management degree. Many of my classes are more focused on applications in therapy, research, and clinical practice than on psychology in the workplace, but with creative thinking I have been able to apply all of the psychology concepts to my job.
I work in the tech industry and salaries across the board, including for HR positions, are higher than in many other industries. You can look for job titles such as: HR Coordinator, Recruiting Coordinator, People Operations Associate, or even Office Manager for a tech company—these are entry-level positions that can give you a base for a career in HR. Every company needs HR of some kind, so there are many job opportunities, including part-time ones that might be a good fit while you are in school.
One thing that will help set you apart beyond a degree is earning an HR certification. SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) is well-respected in the US, as is the PHR certification from HRCI (Human Resource Certification Institute). You do not need a degree to earn the basic PHR certification, and it will give you a lot of knowledge that will help in any HR/People career. Best wishes in your studies and career!
I'm an adult working in HR and I decided to get a bachelor's degree in psychology to help me further my career. Many employers want an undergraduate degree as a minimum qualification, regardless of major. But psychology is definitely relevant to HR! Almost every school offers Psychology as a major; I specifically chose a school that offered it as a Bachelor of Science (rather than Bachelor of Arts, so that there is more of a research focus) and offers a concentration in Workplace Psychology. If you can find a school that offers a similar concentration or minor (Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Organizational Leadership, or HR Management) that would be helpful. I will say that Psychology is not taught from the lens of HR/Business, so if you really want to learn about HR, you might get more out of a Human Resource Management degree. Many of my classes are more focused on applications in therapy, research, and clinical practice than on psychology in the workplace, but with creative thinking I have been able to apply all of the psychology concepts to my job.
I work in the tech industry and salaries across the board, including for HR positions, are higher than in many other industries. You can look for job titles such as: HR Coordinator, Recruiting Coordinator, People Operations Associate, or even Office Manager for a tech company—these are entry-level positions that can give you a base for a career in HR. Every company needs HR of some kind, so there are many job opportunities, including part-time ones that might be a good fit while you are in school.
One thing that will help set you apart beyond a degree is earning an HR certification. SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) is well-respected in the US, as is the PHR certification from HRCI (Human Resource Certification Institute). You do not need a degree to earn the basic PHR certification, and it will give you a lot of knowledge that will help in any HR/People career. Best wishes in your studies and career!
This was super helpful, thank you!
Abby
Gabriela Reyes
3
Answers
Katy, Texas
Updated
Gabriela’s Answer
Hello Abby,
I am a current Junior at the University of Houston, and I am Majoring in Business Administration with a Human Resource Track. My advice on how hard it is to find a job is that it is not difficult to find opportunities. Join organizations and start networking, as I have seen many in HR get jobs by referrals through networking. Just put yourself out there and you can find opportunities anywhere.
Best of Luck!
I am a current Junior at the University of Houston, and I am Majoring in Business Administration with a Human Resource Track. My advice on how hard it is to find a job is that it is not difficult to find opportunities. Join organizations and start networking, as I have seen many in HR get jobs by referrals through networking. Just put yourself out there and you can find opportunities anywhere.
Best of Luck!
Gemma Cole
HR Business Partner
3
Answers
London, England, United Kingdom
Updated
Gemma’s Answer
- Entry level average 1-2 years before promotion, depends on the size of the company
- certifications like SHRM (HR qualification in the US) can be useful. In the UK, CIPD qualifications can help increase your knowledge and look great on resume
- Psych major can be a good thing, definitely not looked down upon for a HR role :)
- certifications like SHRM (HR qualification in the US) can be useful. In the UK, CIPD qualifications can help increase your knowledge and look great on resume
- Psych major can be a good thing, definitely not looked down upon for a HR role :)
This was super helpful, thank you!
Abby
Stacey Moore
Recruiting
13
Answers
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Updated
Stacey’s Answer
Hey Abby,
I was fortunate enough to stumble upon a company that offered a Human Resources training program. It was an amazing experience as it allowed me to be part of a group of fresh graduates, just like me. We got the chance to explore various HR roles under the guidance of experienced mentors. This opportunity really helped me understand my preferences better, showing me the paths I wanted to follow and those I didn't.
I was fortunate enough to stumble upon a company that offered a Human Resources training program. It was an amazing experience as it allowed me to be part of a group of fresh graduates, just like me. We got the chance to explore various HR roles under the guidance of experienced mentors. This opportunity really helped me understand my preferences better, showing me the paths I wanted to follow and those I didn't.
dave friedman
34
Answers
Updated
dave’s Answer
I was a Recruiter for many years so I have a lot of experience dealing with HR so that may be one way to gain some experience and there always seem to be jobs for junior recruiters available!
also recruiters can make more $ as they usually earn commissions too!
good luck
also recruiters can make more $ as they usually earn commissions too!
good luck
This was super helpful, thank you!
Abby
Shelyse Anderson
Human Resources
1
Answer
Phoenix, Arizona
Updated
Shelyse’s Answer
Hi Abby -
I have had a long career in HR and I still enjoy it. Many degrees are useful in HR, including Psychology. The field of HR is growing and has expanded into different areas including HR analytics, Employee Relations, Organizational Effectiveness, etc. I have given many people the advice that a good starting point for HR is Recruiting/Talent Acquisition. Any entry level Talent Acquisition role might be easier to come by than an HR business partner role. I've met many HR professionals who worked first in the staffing industry and later moved into other various areas of HR. With that said, there is a lot of variety in HR.
A Psychology degree is definitely not frowned upon in HR. Starting wages in HR vary by geography, company size and type. You can progress from an entry level role in as little as 2-3 years. An internship, if available in your area, is another great way to get exposure to the profession.
Good luck in know that it's normal to be unsure of your path. I'm sure you'll have a great career, whether it's in HR or another area.
Best!
I have had a long career in HR and I still enjoy it. Many degrees are useful in HR, including Psychology. The field of HR is growing and has expanded into different areas including HR analytics, Employee Relations, Organizational Effectiveness, etc. I have given many people the advice that a good starting point for HR is Recruiting/Talent Acquisition. Any entry level Talent Acquisition role might be easier to come by than an HR business partner role. I've met many HR professionals who worked first in the staffing industry and later moved into other various areas of HR. With that said, there is a lot of variety in HR.
A Psychology degree is definitely not frowned upon in HR. Starting wages in HR vary by geography, company size and type. You can progress from an entry level role in as little as 2-3 years. An internship, if available in your area, is another great way to get exposure to the profession.
Good luck in know that it's normal to be unsure of your path. I'm sure you'll have a great career, whether it's in HR or another area.
Best!