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Evolution of HR Professionals
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Evolution of HR Professionals
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Hello everyone. I'm currently in a dual Master's program; this is my last session as per HR. I'll finish the MBA during the summer. I am trying to become what HR needs to be a permanent member at the
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Evolution of HR Professionals
posted at 1/20/2009 6:11 AM EST
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Posts: 5
First: 1/20/2009 Last: 1/20/2009 |
Hello everyone. I'm currently in a dual Master's program; this is my last session as per HR. I'll finish the MBA during the summer. I am trying to become what HR needs to be a permanent member at the "Strategic Round Table." What else do I need? Certifications maybe? Are there any certifications for HRIS?
I don't have any experience in HR but I plan to start temping as of February 1. All suggestions will be greatly appreciated. |
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Evolution of HR Professionals
posted at 1/20/2009 6:41 AM EST
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Posts: 1103
First: 3/16/2007 Last: 8/19/2011 |
A lot of experience.
Industry and business knowledge beyond the education you are reciving in the MBA program. Possibly some line or operations experience Certification is only good as a discriminator (I'm an SPHR and an MBA so this isn't sour grapes) I wouldn't get overly excited about it. Strong communication skills Even stronger financial skills |
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Evolution of HR Professionals
posted at 1/20/2009 6:56 AM EST
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Posts: 5
First: 1/20/2009 Last: 1/20/2009 |
HRPro, thanks for the reply. With an MBA and a Master's in HRM, how long should I stay in an entry level position? Experience is great, but in my opinion many of these so-called experienced HR people are the ones giving it a bad name. Many are under-educated and in the way to be quite frank. I just want to arm myself with everything I need to succeed because I see HR people with the right business acclimate becoming CEO's in the future. What are your thoughts on this? |
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Evolution of HR Professionals
posted at 1/20/2009 7:15 AM EST
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Posts: 1103
First: 3/16/2007 Last: 8/19/2011 |
There comes a point when one becomes over educated and doesn't have the experiential skills to support the education. If you already have a Masters in HRM and are seeking an MBA, with little HR work experience, you are in serious danger of doing just that. I'd recommend ending the student gig and find an HR job where you can develop your skills and gain some experience in the HR workplace.
HR is a career field loaded with experience. It has a significant number of educated people with experience and I agree with you it is many of those who give HR a bad name. The challenge with that is they have the education AND experience. Consequently when weighing all things guess who wins the who gets hired battle? I have no idea what you define as an entry level HR position. I would suggest however that you spend a couple of years an an HR Assistant, or at that level, learning the ropes. You could then transition into a specialist or professional practitioners role followed after a few years into management and then enter into the executive ranks. Along the way you could seek line or operations mentors to help you learn the business beyond the text book. I would encourage anyone to take that career path. The last 3 MBA's I hired all started out as HR Assistants. One quit after 6 months because he felt, with absolutely no other work experience, that he was being under utilized. He now sells shoes at a local mall. Another transitioned into operations and the 3rd still works in HR. It all depends upon what you want and how you want to get there. Establishing a solid record of HR accomplishments takes time. |
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Evolution of HR Professionals
posted at 1/20/2009 7:31 AM EST
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Posts: 5
First: 1/20/2009 Last: 1/20/2009 |
Now that's the answer I was looking for. I plan on gaining experienced while finishing up the MBA. I just want to be an asset to our field instead of a hindrance. One of the knocks on HR professionals is their lack of business understanding. I know that I am far from being able to change that stereotype, but what can I do to change that perception? How can I help the field and myself at the same time? |
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Evolution of HR Professionals
posted at 1/20/2009 7:36 AM EST
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Posts: 3870
First: 2/12/2002 Last: 11/2/2009 |
It sounds like you're very serious about an HR career and you've been willing to put the effort into substantive education to get there. Kudo's to you for that!
I'd modify HRPro's otherwise excellent advice just a bit. I would recommend that you find a company that a) has an excellent reputation for HR and b) has an HR development program. Pepsico certainly comes to mind as a top choice. Other companies would be GE and General Mills. Do some research on others - a good starting point might be finding out which companies recruit the top HR programs in the US (Michigan State, Illinois, Cornell are first tier; Rugers, Univ of South Carolina, Univ of Southern California, Univ of West Virginia also have well established HR programs). The work in a good HR development program might still be the same grunt HR work HRPro cites, but perhaps it'll be grunting with more of a purpose. If you're not using your MBA placement office, by all means do so! See who's recruiting your program now and who has done so in the past. Just out of curiousity, who are you getting your degrees from? |
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Evolution of HR Professionals
posted at 1/20/2009 7:51 AM EST
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Posts: 5
First: 1/20/2009 Last: 1/20/2009 |
Nork3, thanks for the information. I'm not at a top-tier school but I'm more than willing to do the grunt work. I attend Devry University's Keller Graduate School. I have a 3.8 gpa. I'm joining SHRM today and am willing to be mentored. I'll volunteer or do whatever it takes to succeed in this business. I wasn't interested in Business per say until I discovered that the new trend that HR Professionals should have some type of business background. |
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Evolution of HR Professionals
posted at 1/20/2009 10:55 AM EST
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Posts: 237
First: 7/10/2007 Last: 8/31/2011 |
Experience vs Education
You have to have brain surgery, whats your paramount concern? 1)How many degrees the doctor has? 2)His/her success rate on performing the particular procedure successfully? |
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Evolution of HR Professionals
posted at 1/20/2009 11:14 AM EST
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Posts: 5
First: 1/20/2009 Last: 1/20/2009 |
Ida, I don't think you really got the gist of what I was saying. I'm not downing experience. What I'm downing are people who work in key positions in HR, giving it a bad name. There are many people who have been thrown into HR from various areas. There are articles here on this site that outline many of the HR stereotypes like, "anybody can do it." I'm trying to get experience so why would I attempt to degrade it. |
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Evolution of HR Professionals
posted at 1/20/2009 2:45 PM EST
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Posts: 1103
First: 3/16/2007 Last: 8/19/2011 |
I occasionally give this little tid bit of advice; "HR is a career, it is not a cause."
I might offer that your best efforts will be better rewarded in establishing your own career instead of trying to impact an entire profession. Nork is also correct in suggesting you find an organization known for its HR practices. Cisco and GE come immediately to mind. Worry about the things you can control; everything is will take care of itself. |
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