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Human Resources Specialists: Schools and Careers

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About Human Resources Specialists

Human Resources Specialists

Human resources specialists recruit and interview prospective employees and are often involved with deciding which applicants are hired. Human resources specialists also provide information and answers to employee's questions regarding benefits and compensation. Some human resources specialists work closely with training and labor relation staff members. They also strive to improve employee's job satisfaction.

Practically all industries employ human resources professionals. Large companies typically have a variety of human resources specialists such as equal opportunity representatives, recruiters, labor relations personnel, training and development specialists, job analysts and compensation and benefits specialists.

In small companies, all the elements of human resources work may be taken care of by a human resources generalist. Human resources generalists need to have a wide range of knowledge.

International human resources specialists and information systems specialists are emerging specialities in the human resources field. International human resources specialists take care of human resources issues regarding a company's foreign operations. Human resources information systems specialists develop and apply computer programs that are utilized to process human resources information, match job seekers with available jobs and handle other human resources issues.

Human resources workers take care of administrative functions but some human resources staff members are also involved with consulting with top executives about strategic planning. They suggest policies and policy changes. Some human resources personnel assist managers in running programs that cover company security, occupational health and safety, counseling services and other programs.

Human Resources Specialists Responsibilities

  • Collect information on employee's skills, training, wages and general work history
  • Recruit and interview job candidates
  • Answer employees' benefits questions
  • Provide training opportunities to improve employee's skills.
  • Perform various administrative functions
  • Help companies to effectively utilize employees' skills.

Human resources personnel typically work 40 hours a week. Most human resources personnel work in offices, however some workers travel extensively. Some recruiting specialists travel to interview prospective employees at college campuses and attend professional meetings.

Human resources workers need to effectively communicate with others and be diplomatic, fair and discreet. They should also have good interpersonal skills. Having an interest in matching an employee's skills and talents with the appropriate job is beneficial in the occupation. Dealing with people is an important part of the job.

Employment Outlook

The overall employment for human resources jobs is forecasted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to grow by 17% from 2006 to 2016 which is faster than average for all occupations. Human resource workers may advance into director of human resources or industrial relations positions. Some experienced human resources workers join a consulting firm or start their own business.

Almost 9 out of 10 jobs in human resources are provided by the private sector. Those with a college degree and certification have the best employment opportunities. College graduates with degrees in human resources, human resources administration or industrial and labor relations have good opportunities for employment.

Earnings vary by experience and area of specialization. The median annual earnings for employment, recruitment and placement specialists in 2006 was $42,420. One of the highest paying industries for the category of employment, recruitment and placement specialists is management, scientific and technical consulting services.

A survey performed in 2007 by the National Association of Colleges and Employers showed that candidates holding a bachelor's degree in human resources or labor and industrial relations received starting offers averaging $41,680 per year.

Human Resources Specialists Education, Certification, and Licensing

Human resources personnel often have associate and bachelor's degrees in human resources or human resources administration. Employers also hire people that have a college degree in industrial and labor relations. Some employers seek college graduates that have a business or technical background or a well-rounded liberal arts education. For management positions, employers often seek candidates that have achieved a master's degree in human resources or business administration.

College classes which prepare students for careers in human resources are offered by departments such as instructional technology, business administration, education, human services, organizational development, public administration and communication.

Some of the recommended courses are compensation, recruitment, training and development and performance appraisal. Other beneficial classes are organizational structure, principles of management and industrial psychology.

The International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans offers a designation in the areas of: retirement, compensation and benefit. Some human resources personnel become Certified Benefits Specialists. The Society of Human Resource Management offers the Professional in Human Resources certification and the Senior Professional in Human Resources certification.

Resources for Human Resources Specialists

Major Employers of Human Resources Specialists

The top job providing industries are administrative and support services, professional, scientific and technical services; healthcare and social assistance; finance and insurance firms; manufacturing and the government.

Schools for Human Resources Specialists are listed in the column to the left.

The Top Cities tab shows employment statistics for Human Resources Specialists by major metro area.

The Top Industries tab shows which industries have the most jobs for Human Resources Specialists, along with salary data by industry.

The Find Schools tab lets you search for schools by field of study, degree level, and location.

Employment For:
All Jobs > Human Resources Specialists

Selected Schools for Human Resources Specialists (including any online schools)

These schools offer particularly quick info upon request, and we have written detailed profiles for each (click school names to see the profiles).

Request info from multiple schools, by clicking the Get Info links.

SchoolLocationsDegreesQuick Info
AIU OnlineOnlineAssociate, Bachelor, MasterGet Info
Argosy UniversityAZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, HI, IL, MN, TN, TX, UT, VA, WABachelorGet Info
Ashford UniversityOnlineBachelor, MasterGet Info
Ashworth CollegeOnlineAssociateGet Info
Baker College OnlineOnlineAssociate, Bachelor, MasterGet Info
Berkeley CollegeNJ, NYBachelorGet Info
Berkeley College OnlineOnlineBachelorGet Info
Bethel UniversityMNBachelorGet Info
California InterContinental UniversityCAMasterGet Info
Capella UniversityOnlineBachelor, Doctorate, MasterGet Info
Central Pennsylvania CollegePACertificateGet Info
Colorado Technical UniversityCOBachelor, MasterGet Info
Colorado Technical University OnlineOnlineBachelor, MasterGet Info
DeVry University OnlineOnlineBachelor, MasterGet Info
Golden Gate UniversityCABachelorGet Info
Grand Canyon UniversityOnlineMasterGet Info
Harrison CollegeINAssociate, BachelorGet Info
Herzing CollegeMB, ON, QCBachelorGet Info
Herzing UniversityFL, GA, LA, MN, WIBachelorGet Info
Herzing University OnlineOnlineBachelorGet Info
ICS CanadaOnlineAssociateGet Info
ITT Technical InstituteOnlineBachelorGet Info
Kaplan UniversityOnlineMasterGet Info
Keiser UniversityFLBachelorGet Info
Keiser University eCampus OnlineOnlineMasterGet Info
Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry UniversityAZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, IN, MD, MN, MO, NC, NV, OH, OK, OR, PA, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WIGraduate Certificate, MasterGet Info
Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University OnlineOnlineGraduate Certificate, MasterGet Info
Liberty UniversityOnlineMasterGet Info
McCann School of Business & TechnologyPAAssociateGet Info
Miller Motte Technical CollegeNC, TNAssociateGet Info
National American UniversityOnlineBachelorGet Info
National American University CampusCO, KS, MN, NM, SDBachelorGet Info
Penn Foster CollegeOnlineAssociateGet Info
Post UniversityCTCertificateGet Info
Rasmussen CollegeFL, IL, MN, ND, WIAssociate, BachelorGet Info
South UniversityOnlineMasterGet Info
Strayer UniversityAL, DC, DE, FL, GA, KY, MD, NC, NJ, OH, PA, SC, TN, UT, VA, WVBachelor, Graduate Certificate, MasterGet Info
Strayer University OnlineOnlineBachelor, Executive Graduate Certificate, MasterGet Info
Sullivan UniversityKYBachelorGet Info
TUI UniversityOnlineBachelor, MasterGet Info
The University of LiverpoolOnlineMasterGet Info
University of Notre Dame OnlineOnlineCertificate, MasterGet Info
University of PhoenixAL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NE, NJ, NM, NV, OH, OK, OR, PA, PR, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WYBachelor, MasterGet Info
University of Phoenix OnlineOnlineBachelor, MasterGet Info
Villanova University Professional Certificate Online ProgramsOnlineCertificate, Coursework, Master CertificateGet Info
Virginia College OnlineOnlineAssociateGet Info
Western International UniversityAZBachelor, MasterGet Info

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Additional Details

We have some additional detailed pages at the state level for Human Resources Specialists. These pages include maps focused on the particular state, among other details.

Numbers in parentheses are counts of relevant campus-based schools in the state; online schools may also be available.

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