Running head: ASSESSING A CAREER IN HUMAN RESOURCES 1

Assessing a Career in Human Resources

Jade Dipo

Salt Lake Community College

Intro to Business

1010

Pook Carson

April 10, 2019

ASSESSING A CAREER IN HUMAN RESOURCES 2

Assessing a Career in Human Resources

Job Description

The Human Resources role is the core of the company’s success. The idea that people

are an organization’s most valuable resource and must be hired, motivated, developed, and

retained, places great importance on their role (Heathfield, 2019). Human Resources specialists

are responsible for recruiting new hires, interviewing, training, maintaining benefits and payroll,

leadership development, performance improvement, company compliance and operations. The

department develops and promotes company culture and keeps employees involved and engaged

in the workplace. They are the link between the empoyees and management ("HR Job

Description," n.d.)

General Education Experience

An Associate of Science Degree or Bachelor of Science Degree in HR qualifies

applicants for an entry level position. However, a Bachelor’s Degree may provide an advantage

in the job market, depending on the company and role. Most educational programs include

coursework in business ethics, employment law, HR management, training and development

compensation and benefits, principles of finance, project management and leadership. ("Top 13

Great Value Colleges," 2019). Many companies are seeking applicants with professional

experience, which means most graduates will need to start at entry level positions. HR Clerk,

HR Assistant, Recruiter, Payroll Specialist or HR Generalist are examples of common entry level

HR positions ("A Good Career Path?," 2019). Experience is necessary for movement to a

management role such as Human Resources Manager, Employee Relations Manager,

Compensation or Benefit Analyst/Manager or Training and Development Manager. HR

ASSESSING A CAREER IN HUMAN RESOURCES 3

professionals who obtain a Master of Science Degree are qualified for higher level leadership

positions such as Director or VP of Human Resources department.

Average Salary

Human Resources salary various significantly depending on the specialization with the

field, location, size of company, and years of experience. HR generalists and recruiters can earn

$59,000 annually, yet the challenging role of Human Resources Manager earns a median salary

of $104,690 ("Pros and Cons," 2019).

Career Outlook

Employment opportunities for human resources managers is projected to grow 9 percent

through 2024, which will add approximately 10,800 new jobs ("Pros and Cons," 2019). As new

companies form and expand their operations, they will need more human resources managers to

oversee and administer their employee programs. Employee turnover is costly—especially for

large companies and those with younger workforce who do more job-hopping (Landrum, 2017).

Besides the cost of productivity and training expenses, company culture and mission may also

suffer (Wells, 2018). As a result, recruitment and retention has become a crucial role for human

resources. In addition, HR personnel will be needed to ensure compliance to changing and

increasingly complex employment laws related to occupational safety and health, equal

employment opportunity, healthcare, wages, and retirement plans ("Human Resources

Managers," 2019).

Bio of Jennica Zern

Jennica Zern is a human resources professional with a Bachelor of Science in Human

Resource Management from Utah State University - Jon M. Huntsman School of Business.

After graduation, Jennica started an entry-level position as an HR Administrator at Boart

ASSESSING A CAREER IN HUMAN RESOURCES 4

Longyear, an international drilling company. In that position, she was responsible for company

compliance and general administrative operations. After two years, she was promoted to HR

Generalist, focusing mostly on recruiting. Two years later, she accepted an offer to work for

Vivint Solar, as an HR Generalist, but working in HR operations and onboarding. This new

company was thriving and offered her more opportunity for professional growth. After two

years at Vivint, Jennica was promoted to an HR Manager. She is now currently an HR Business

Partner for corporate operations and supports managers for about 300 employees. (J. Zern,

personal communication, April 9, 2019).

Pros and Cons

Human Resources is one of the fastest growing career paths in the United States, and offers a

high earning potential ("A Good Career Path?," 2019). It can be a great career path for those

who love working and connecting with people. It is rewarding to make a difference in

employees’ experience by impacting their professional growth and work satisfaction. Working

in HR offers new challenges and problems to solve each day preventing boredom ("Pros and

Cons," 2019). However, sometimes that’s a downside—lots of people problems to solve and

fires to put out. HR demands involve heavy workloads with many employees to oversee and

support. Being a mediator between employees and upper management can be overwhelming and

exhausting. Competition with coworkers striving to move up the ladder and workplace politics

are definitely part of the HR climate ("Pros and Cons," 2019).

Do I Fit In Human Resources?

Having explored and learned more about the various responsibilities in the Human

Resources field, I believe it could be a valid option for me. I am currently a manager at a small

company, and have interviewed, hired, and trained co-workers. I really like the “business” side
ASSESSING A CAREER IN HUMAN RESOURCES 5

of my role. I can see myself being successful with some of the administrative aspects of HR. I

am a quick learner and would be able to learn the policies and regulations without problems. I

am mostly a people person and enjoy interaction and genuinely connecting with others.

However, the aspects of HR that concern me are dealing with conflict and public speaking and

giving presentations. I also don’t know if I have the personality or confidence to initiate difficult

conversations with employees concerning their behavior, negative attitudes, non-compliance, or

emotional instability. I would definitely need to learn and fully develop new skills in

communication, delegation, leadership and presentation.

ASSESSING A CAREER IN HUMAN RESOURCES 6

References

An HR job description deals with a valuable resource: People. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://www.allbusinessschools.com/human-resources/job-description/

Heathfield, S. M. (2019). What is a human resource? Retrieved April 10, 2019, from

https://www.thebalancecareers.com/what-is-a-human-resource-1918144

Human resources managers. (2019). Retrieved April 10, 2019, from

https://collegegrad.com/careers/human-resources-managers#outlook

Is human resources a good career path? (2019). Retrieved from

https://onlineprograms.smumn.edu/resources/is-hr-good-career-path

Landrum, S. (2017). Millennials aren’t afraid to change jobs, and here’s why. Retrieved from

https://www.forbes.om/sites/sarahlandrum/2017/11/10/millenials-arent-afraid-to-change-

jobs-and-heres-why/#30d5e9ac19a5

Pros and cons of working in human resources. (2019). Retrieved from

https://www.managerskills.org/hr/hr-pros-and-cons/

Top 13 great value colleges for associates in human resource management online. (2019).

Retrieved April 15, 2019, from https://www.greatvaluecolleges.net/affordable/online-

human-resource-management-degree-associates/

Wells, M. (2018). Why employee turnover is also bad for your empoyees. Retrieved from

https://business.dailypay.com/blog/why-employee-turnover-is-also-bad-for-your-

employees