Forums
Entering HR - No Background
HR Career Forum
Entering HR - No Background
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 All,
I have some questions about entering the HR field. After reading many of the replies to earlier posts, it seems that I lack much of what one would need to get into HR, but hopefully you ca
0
Cat:Topic ForumsForum:ForumId97
Cat:Topic ForumsForum:ForumId97Discussion:DiscussionId35254
Forums » Topic Forums » HR Career Forum » Entering HR - No Background
|
Entering HR - No Background
posted at 11/9/2008 7:30 PM EST
|
Posts: 1
First: 11/9/2008 Last: 11/9/2008 |
Hello All,
I have some questions about entering the HR field. After reading many of the replies to earlier posts, it seems that I lack much of what one would need to get into HR, but hopefully you can provide me with some feedback. I am a 25 year-old PhD student in sociocultural anthropology, and extremely dissatisfied. I've been looking into alternative career paths and one option that intrigues me is HR. The trouble is, having entered graduate school after obtaining a B.A., I have only been a student (aside from some research jobs associated with my academic pursuits, I don't really have any work experience). My performance in graduate school has been stellar (received research grants and fellowships, published articles, etc.), but I do not find the work rewarding mainly because it has little everyday application. Given the nature of the academic world, the job market is also extremely limited. I have several friends in the process of obtaining master's degrees in HR from University of Illinois, and they find the program quite exciting. I have many questions, but I'll only ask a few basic ones: 1) Would I have a decent chance of being admitted to place like Illinois or Michigan State for HR? 2) Would the degree have any value for someone lacking both prior work experience in HR and a business background? 3)Does the internship experience that one would expect to obtain while working through one of these programs count for much in the eyes of a potential employer? 4)Based on the replies to other posts I have read, it seems like you will tell me that I am sorely lacking in appropriate background. If this is the case, what are some basic things I might do to build a case for myself in HR? It must seem odd for someone with my background to want to enter the HR field, but I feel that I have a well-honed set of analytical skills that are flexible enough to meet challenges in a variety of settings. Thanks in advance for your responses. |
|
|
Entering HR - No Background
posted at 11/10/2008 8:08 AM EST
|
|
Posts: 3870
First: 2/12/2002 Last: 11/2/2009 |
I guess the first question I have for you is why would you want to go into HR? What is it specifically that interests you about HR? Where do you see your HR career going?
I can't speak to how the HR programs at Illinois or Michigan state would view your prior background (you got 2 of the 3 top HR schools here...the 3rd is Cornell) for entrance consideration. Most of the resumes I've seen from master's graduates of those programs do include prior HR experience. Any of these three programs would certainly give you an advantage in securing employment following graduation. They all are heavily recruited. The internship question would also be something you would need to ask those schools. Your biggest challenge will likely be getting into one of these programs. Employment following graduation will be a lesser challenge. But do more research on this - talk to some people in HR and find out what they like and don't like about it. You'll find that some people love it, and you'll find others (like an old boss) who stated "If it wasn't for people, HR would be a great job!". |
|
|
Entering HR - No Background
posted at 11/10/2008 9:20 AM EST
|
|
Posts: 1103
First: 3/16/2007 Last: 8/19/2011 |
The best advice i can give you is to stop being a student for now.
If you are interested in HR find an entry level HR position and see how well the shoe really fits. If you can't find one on your own try various temp agencies. HR is a field that values experience more than education; education with experience is even more valuable. Before you spend another dime on academics I strongly advocate for more real world work experience. |
Forums » Topic Forums » HR Career Forum » Entering HR - No Background
