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So you’re thinking about a career in human resources.
I don’t blame you. There are quite a few perks to being
a human resource manager -- more than you might expect. Now
I’m not trying to make you think that being a human
resource manager is going to be a bed of roses. There’s
plenty of work and responsibility that comes along with such
a position. But if you are having doubts about the time and
work you will put into getting a degree in human resources
and whether you’ll be properly compensated for your
efforts, here are a few of the benefits you might not yet
have considered.
First to Know
Well, you might not be the very first to know when something
is going down, but you’ll be one of the first. When
layoffs are coming, pay cuts or raises are taking place, bonus
checks have arrived, and similar important or confidential
events are occurring, you’ll be on the top of the list
to find out first. Being privy to the knowledge that will
affect others will project the image of power upon you whether
that is something you are seeking in a career or not.
Sagaciousness
A position in human resources seems to come with an aura of
wisdom. Even young people in entry-levels of human resource
management often seem wise beyond their years due to their
knowledge of policies, procedures, and training. You’ll
find that all levels of staff, including other managers will
be seeking seek your advice and counsel on a wide variety
of topics -- and you don’t even have to wear your wizard’s
hat.
Helping people
The great part of being in the human resources field is that
you will be paid to help others. People will come to you for
personal issues, work related matters, and all kinds of issues
in between. While at times, you might feel overwhelmed and
more like a life coach, career planner, and psychologist all
wrapped into one, the role you perform can be quite rewarding
and you can go home at the end of the day feeling like you’ve
accomplished something.
It’s More Than Just a Desk Job
You might be thinking that an HR job might involve a lot of
sitting around the office, doing paper work, talking to people,
and keeping up with filing and organizing. While these duties
will certainly play into your day, you will also be involved
in training, interviewing, hiring/firing, planning and hosting
employee and company events, and many other related activities
that will keep you hopping.
You’re Important
As an HR manager, you are an integral part of the company
or organization for which you work. You’ll likely be
working with more than just employees as you deal with the
organization’s legal team, go to unemployment hearings
or work-related court issues, deal with unions, etc. Your
company will be relying on your expertise and professionalism
to help guide them through some very important issues.
Meeting People
It is nearly impossible to work in human resources and not
constantly interact with people. You may meet new and interesting
people through interviewing, training classes, community work,
promotional sessions, and similar duties.
Pay
With the US Bureau of Labor Statistic reporting the median
income for human resource managers at $96,130, you might be
chomping at the bit to get into the HR field. Bear in mind
however, that while the pay is good, it varies widely between
industries, and you shouldn’t necessarily expect to
start off at an upper-level management position making this
much money.
Job Security
Finally, as the “go to” person for so many people,
it is going to be darn hard to get rid of you. You are going
to know the ins and outs of the system, all the little quirks
of the company policies and procedures, and the laws that
work in protecting your job. Therefore, the job security in
human resources is one of the greatest benefits of all.
To learn more about human resource management programs, check
out the Human
Resources Schools directory.
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