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Getting into HR
HR Career Forum
Getting into HR
Discuss your job search, the interviewing process, creating the right resume, how the HR profession's changes require new job-search approaches and related topics.
Hello,
I'm a grad student (Ph.D) who plans to go into HR after graduation. I've been looking for an internship or temporary position in HR this summer and can't seem to find anything. How can I bre
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Forums » Topic Forums » HR Career Forum » Getting into HR
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Getting into HR
posted at 7/9/2007 5:30 AM EDT
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Posts: 2
First: 7/9/2007 Last: 7/9/2007 |
Hello,
I'm a grad student (Ph.D) who plans to go into HR after graduation. I've been looking for an internship or temporary position in HR this summer and can't seem to find anything. How can I break into this field? Thanks! |
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Getting into HR
posted at 7/9/2007 7:36 AM EDT
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Posts: 3870
First: 2/12/2002 Last: 11/2/2009 |
"My research is focused on HR related issues"
Great. If you can establish a positive and very applicable link between your research and business results, you may be onto something here. Keep in mind, though, that you will be competing with a large number of people with degrees in HR - people who made a conscious decision long ago that this is what they wanted to do and set about getting qualifications. At your educational level, I would have to think that only the largest organizations would be doing research along the lines you intimate you're doing. Office of Personnel Management ( US Government ) might be one; some of the very largest corporations might be others. You might want to consider taking some HR courses, either from a local business school or online. Cornell offers a 6 course HR certificate program that may very well give you a business/government HR framework for your PhD. "I like working with people." I think many of us in HR cringe when we hear this line because we've heard it so often. One HR leader once observed "find me a job which doesn't involve working with other people". A much more cynical HR manager commented "if it wasn't for people, HR would be a GREAT job!" Bottom line is that this statement indicates a certain naivete about a career in HR, so I'd avoid using it. |
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Getting into HR
posted at 7/9/2007 7:56 AM EDT
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Posts: 1103
First: 3/16/2007 Last: 8/19/2011 |
Nork gives good advice. HR isn't about working with people in any greater capacity than that of any other occupation. HR is about maximizing the productivity of people unless of course one functions in the clerical side of HR. Then its simply fill out the form and bring it back. Just remember, unless you are solo anytime you show up for work you are working with people.
I am certain you have some work experience that you could combine with your education and achieve some entry level position in HR. Other possibilities could be internships and co-ops. Networking is always an option but can be challenging if you have no workforce experience. HR is an incredibly difficult occupation to enter and increasingly difficult to stay in. The field is changing, almost dividing into two paths if you will. That which handles the routine administrivia (transactional HR) and that part which addresses human capital in a strategic fashion. The former is rapidly being outsourced or proven to be simply done through technology while the latter is a new side of the evolution within this career field. But as Nork says I'd avoid the "I like working with people" line. Most HR Exec's and Hiring Managers that I know or am acquainted with tend to ridicule those who use that line. It often becomes a fast track to the non-select pile. |
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