What are the best human resources jobs for recent graduates?
What are the best human resources jobs for recent graduates?
If you’re a passionate problem solver who loves working with people, you may have considered pursuing a job in human resources (HR). But is human resources a good career route to take? We’ll look at these and other questions to help you make the best decision on if you should take the next step toward a life in HR.
Is human resources a good career?
HR can be a fulfilling career that comes with a host of benefits. A few of those benefits include:
- Job security — Positions in human resources are consistently in demand. They are vital to the way an organization operates. Right now, HR manager jobs are growing at a pace that is above the national average.
- High compensation — As a result of the high demand, HR professionals are well paid. Keep reading if you’re interested in learning about the human resources salary for a particular HR job.
- People-centric focus — If you’re your best self when you are helping others thrive, you’ll love HR. You’ll get to become a go-to source of support and guidance for employees and ultimately make a positive impact on an organization’s culture.
- Diverse responsibilities — Although some HR positions will lead you to specialize in one specific area, there’s plenty of variety in the day to day of someone who works in human resources. If you love being engaged and challenged at work, you’ll feel right at home with HR.
- Continuous learning — If you want a career where there are constantly opportunities to develop your knowledge and skills, HR is for you. It’s a dynamic field with continuous changes in legislation, technology and workplace trends.
What degree do you need for human resources?
You’ll need a bachelor’s degree to start working in the human resources field. Colleges like the University of Northern Iowa offer a dedicated human resource management degree. Housed in the Wilson College of Business, this degree prepares you to support employee recruitment, retention, engagement and overall productivity. It teaches you the fundamentals of performance management, how to create and maintain a safe work environment, and appropriate policies for setting employee expectations.
That being said, sometimes you’ll find human resource professionals with other degrees. Some common examples include business, management, finance, communication and social science.
What can you do with a human resources degree?
If you’ve decided that pursuing a human resources degree sounds like the best option for you, the next logical question is what can you do with a human resources degree? There are plenty of good career options available for a wide variety of people. Here are a few to consider!
Human resources generalist
A human resources generalist covers a wide range of HR tasks, including recruiting, training, employee engagement and performance, and compensation and benefits. Typically, you’ll find HR generalists working at smaller organizations, as larger companies tend to have more specialized roles for their HR personnel. While HR roles are usually diverse, this is especially true of HR generalists. According to Payscale, the average base salary for a human resources generalist is nearly $60,000.
Recruiter
As a recruiter, you bridge the gap between qualified candidates and organizations with open positions. You ensure a candidate is properly qualified and help negotiate their salary while ensuring the needs of both the employer and the employee are being met. Some recruiters work within an organization to fill jobs internally, while others work for outside recruiting agencies. Recruiters get the chance to meet a wide variety of people. The average human resources salary for a recruiter is more than $58,000.
Training specialist
Working as a training specialist is all about developing the skills of an organization’s employees. You assess employee strengths and weaknesses and then implement programs to increase their skills and knowledge. You present to employees and lead training activities. Training specialists may work for corporate businesses, educational institutions, nonprofits, government agencies or consultancy firms. The average base salary for these HR professionals is nearly $61,000.
Payroll specialist
Payroll specialists have a very important job. If you are one of these HR professionals, you ensure an organization pays its employees in an accurate and timely fashion. With a knack for numbers and a fine eye for detail, you calculate paychecks, deduct taxes and other withholdings and help manage payroll records. Being a payroll specialist requires knowledge of relevant laws for taxes, wages and benefits as well as tech savvy for operating payroll software. The average base salary for these individuals is more than $55,000.
Benefits specialist
From retirement plans to health insurance, benefits specialists are experts when it comes to a company’s employee benefit and compensation programs. In this role, you answer employee questions, process paperwork, negotiate with vendors, work with insurance companies and more. Because benefits play such a crucial role in employee satisfaction, benefits specialists can easily see the direct impact their jobs have on an organization. Like payroll specialists, it’s essential to have a strong knowledge of relevant federal and state laws to work in this role. In 2024, the average base salary for a benefits specialist is more than $56,000.
Labor relations representative
A labor relations representative supports employees, especially those who work in a unionized workplace. In this job, you negotiate with employers for employee contracts and ensure the terms of those contracts are enforced. If disputes arise, it’s your job to help find a resolution. You are a key player in fostering a positive work environment. Being a strong negotiator with exceptional problem-solving abilities and extensive knowledge of labor laws and regulations is key to being a labor relations representative. This job comes with a strong average base salary of almost $83,000 a year!
Pursue your human resources degree
So, is human resources a good career? Definitely! And what can you do with a human resources degree? A lot!
If you're interested in the strong job opportunities and a high human resources salary, the next step is earning a human resources degree. The University of Northern Iowa offers a path of study in human resource management. This program gives you a chance to study at the renowned Wilson College of Business, which is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools in Business, an honor achieved by less than 5% of business degree-granting schools worldwide.
