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Fresh graduate needing guidance beginning my HR career
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Fresh graduate needing guidance beginning my HR career
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.
I've just graduated from Rutgers University about three weeks ago with a degree in Information Technology and Informatics (ITI). Going into the major I thought a career in IT would definitely suit my
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Forums » Topic Forums » HR Career Forum » Fresh graduate needing guidance beginning my HR career
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Fresh graduate needing guidance beginning my HR career
posted at 9/6/2008 7:36 AM EDT
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Posts: 1
First: 9/6/2008 Last: 9/6/2008 |
I've just graduated from Rutgers University about three weeks ago with a degree in Information Technology and Informatics (ITI). Going into the major I thought a career in IT would definitely suit my tastes. However, as my final semester neared its end, I came to the conclusion that I would like to pursue a career in a different field. After researching other career possibilities, I've decided that Human Resources might be of interest.
Considering I have virtually no experience and my degree doesn't cater to Human Resources, what would be some realistic entry level positions for me? I was thinking about beginning as a HR assistant. Is this the common entry level position for HR workers or can someone recommend other possible choices? Obviously, this isn't the "only" way to break into Human Resources, but at this point, I've yet to discover other options. Thanks for all the help. |
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Fresh graduate needing guidance beginning my HR career
posted at 9/6/2008 10:14 AM EDT
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Posts: 3870
First: 2/12/2002 Last: 11/2/2009 |
My first question is why do you want to work in HR? If you want to "help" people, you should go into social work. If you like working with people, I'd challenge you to find a job in which you don't. I once had a [cranky old] boss who told me that "if it wasn't for people, HR would be a great job!".
Entry level HR positions are difficult to come by and you'll definitely be at a disadvantage competing against those with HR certifications (eg PHR) and/or degrees in HR. I suggest that you find an entry level HRIS position. You'll be able to use your degree and work in HR, although perhaps not in quite the HR field you might have envisioned. You could try moving into another HR specialty after that. |
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Fresh graduate needing guidance beginning my HR career
posted at 9/6/2008 5:08 PM EDT
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Posts: 2442
First: 2/12/2000 Last: 9/14/2011 |
You say that you have done some research. Can you be more specific? have you interviewed HR personnel with 10 years of experience to find out what the jobs really consist of?
What made you decide that IT was not going to be the right career field? |
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Fresh graduate needing guidance beginning my HR career
posted at 9/11/2008 9:25 AM EDT
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Posts: 2146
First: 2/15/2006 Last: 9/14/2011 |
I agree with Nork that the logical start is not as an HR assistant but somewhere in HRIS.
That said, the IT world is huge and much larger than the HR world. There are many more paths in IT than in HR. Plus the money is usually better. One common area to IT and HR is usually document retention (Documentum/Alfresco/Microsoft Sharepoint). Have you thought about pursuing that? |
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Fresh graduate needing guidance beginning my HR career
posted at 9/11/2008 11:02 AM EDT
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Posts: 3870
First: 2/12/2002 Last: 11/2/2009 |
to continue down the same path as rrupert, there are lots of HR related IT firms out there. There are numerous Applicant Tracking System companies, companies that do automated background checks, document retention, performance management, compensation and benefits management, employee communications, etc. |
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