14 answers
1
Question
Asked
795 views
What are your best tips for a young adult navigating human resources?
Rising Senior
Sociology Major Speech Communications Minor
Pursuing career in Human Resources
Login to comment
13 answers
Updated
Sharon’s Answer
I would say from and HR perspective find out what you are passionate about, because there are various areas of HR to go into. Recruiting. Talent Development, HR Operations, HR Business Partner, HRIS just to name a few
Updated
Marina’s Answer
Hi Jadiah,
I agree with Amy, these are great ways to start and get acquainted with the various areas within the HR field. In addition, a certification like SHRM-CP (certified professional) will help put the field into perspective as you gain more experience. It would be great if you are able to work for a larger organization that has a full HR department so that you can learn from mentors, first in compliance areas and then moving into leadership and workplace-culture-building, as your career advances. Also remember that as an HR representative, you are a member of Management for your employer (the company) - often we get confused for a therapist or a lawyer. Feel confident in setting these boundaries while still providing excellent service to employees - they are HR's customers! Wishing you every success!
I agree with Amy, these are great ways to start and get acquainted with the various areas within the HR field. In addition, a certification like SHRM-CP (certified professional) will help put the field into perspective as you gain more experience. It would be great if you are able to work for a larger organization that has a full HR department so that you can learn from mentors, first in compliance areas and then moving into leadership and workplace-culture-building, as your career advances. Also remember that as an HR representative, you are a member of Management for your employer (the company) - often we get confused for a therapist or a lawyer. Feel confident in setting these boundaries while still providing excellent service to employees - they are HR's customers! Wishing you every success!
Updated
Anita’s Answer
Hi Jaidah,
I recommend looking into HR rotational programs for after college. These programs will give you insight into the different areas of HR so you can learn which area you might be most interested in! As others have shared already, I recommend seeing if there are alumni from your college or major that you can connect with to get their advice on how to transition from college to early career.
Work aside, the transition from undergrad to post-grad life can be challenging, and getting advice can be helpful to successfully navigate that transition.
I recommend looking into HR rotational programs for after college. These programs will give you insight into the different areas of HR so you can learn which area you might be most interested in! As others have shared already, I recommend seeing if there are alumni from your college or major that you can connect with to get their advice on how to transition from college to early career.
Work aside, the transition from undergrad to post-grad life can be challenging, and getting advice can be helpful to successfully navigate that transition.
Updated
Amy’s Answer
When thinking about your future, there are lots of exciting parts of Human Resources to explore. Trying an internship in HR can give you a great idea of what daily work is like.
In a small company, an HR generalist might do many different tasks each day, keeping things interesting. On the other hand, a full-time Recruiter focuses on matching the right job candidates with hiring managers, which can be very rewarding.
I would suggest researching the different pathways within human resources including degree specializations.
I would also suggest an internship experience to get hands on with Human Resources.
In a small company, an HR generalist might do many different tasks each day, keeping things interesting. On the other hand, a full-time Recruiter focuses on matching the right job candidates with hiring managers, which can be very rewarding.
Amy recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Jalin’s Answer
Hi Jaidah!
I highly recommend seeking internships at companies that offer HR rotational programs for undergraduate or graduate hires—organizations like GM, Chevron, and Microsoft are great examples. Interning at one of these companies will give you broad exposure to various HR functions early in your career.
Additionally, consider exploring HR or recruiting roles on your campus. For instance, during my undergraduate years, I was involved in recruiting for TFA, which helped me develop my skills early on.
In addition to internships leverage LinkedIn and your alumni network to connect with HR professionals at companies you may be interested in working for. This looks like setting up time to regularly connect once a month or once a quarter depending on their availability.
I highly recommend seeking internships at companies that offer HR rotational programs for undergraduate or graduate hires—organizations like GM, Chevron, and Microsoft are great examples. Interning at one of these companies will give you broad exposure to various HR functions early in your career.
Additionally, consider exploring HR or recruiting roles on your campus. For instance, during my undergraduate years, I was involved in recruiting for TFA, which helped me develop my skills early on.
In addition to internships leverage LinkedIn and your alumni network to connect with HR professionals at companies you may be interested in working for. This looks like setting up time to regularly connect once a month or once a quarter depending on their availability.
Updated
Brittney’s Answer
The best way to succeed in HR is to focus on building strong, positive relationships, even though policies and procedures are important. Be proactive and professional, always bringing solutions to problems. Also, work on creating a strong personal brand.
Updated
Rumyana’s Answer
Hello Jadiah,
I would say the best advice I can give you is: cultivate emotional intelligence, polish your communication skills, focus on stakeholder and relationship management skills, problem solving, patience, negotiation as well as analytical skills. An HR role is not an easy one as it is not only about helping people but about solving their problems and helping them grow in the corporate world.
I would strongly encourage you to build up your business acumen - as HR is a supporting function we need to understand our leaders and speak their language.
In addition, be proactive, ask questions, develop a diverse skillset (grow both soft and technical skills - be ready for the digital world we live in), explore different HR domains, develop your program management and leadership skills :)
Wishing you best of luck!
Rumyana
I would say the best advice I can give you is: cultivate emotional intelligence, polish your communication skills, focus on stakeholder and relationship management skills, problem solving, patience, negotiation as well as analytical skills. An HR role is not an easy one as it is not only about helping people but about solving their problems and helping them grow in the corporate world.
I would strongly encourage you to build up your business acumen - as HR is a supporting function we need to understand our leaders and speak their language.
In addition, be proactive, ask questions, develop a diverse skillset (grow both soft and technical skills - be ready for the digital world we live in), explore different HR domains, develop your program management and leadership skills :)
Wishing you best of luck!
Rumyana
Updated
Christopher’s Answer
Hi Jaidah,
One of the companies I worked at in the past offered an Internship for students looking for a career in HR. The program moved them through different areas in HR to give them an idea of what benefits, compensation, and talent acquisition looked like. If you can find a program like that, I would highly recommend it.
One of the companies I worked at in the past offered an Internship for students looking for a career in HR. The program moved them through different areas in HR to give them an idea of what benefits, compensation, and talent acquisition looked like. If you can find a program like that, I would highly recommend it.
Updated
Alexis’s Answer
Hi! I recommend focusing in on relationship management. Build confidence when speaking with people. Knowing how to navigate different personalities will help you figure out which part of HR you would like to go into. Recruiting would be best to start if you have an interest in sales and HR. If you would like to work directly in the people department of a company, I recommend looking into courses or certifications that detail certain laws and compliance.
Updated
Laura’s Answer
I agree that an internship in Human Resources is helpful to determine which area of HR you would like to specialize or if you would like to explore more general HR. The larger the organization is, the more opportunity there is to specialize. A smaller organization will require you to wear multiple hats. One of the great things about HR though, is that it is part of all types of industries. In addition to researching the type of role you would be interested in, I would recommend researching the type of industry and the size of the company you would prefer.
Updated
Emily’s Answer
Hi, Jadiah! I've picked up a few things in my HR career that might help. First, being flexible is super important because things are always changing. It's okay if change feels a bit uncomfortable at first. Also, try to build strong communication skills—they really make a difference!
Updated
Zulema "Zee"’s Answer
Hi Jadiah,
Here are some helpful tips to inspire you:
1. Reach out and connect with others—asking questions is a great way to learn.
2. Develop your soft skills and emotional intelligence to better understand and connect with people.
3. Enhance your understanding of business to make informed decisions.
4. Prepare a strong elevator speech and deliver it with confidence.
5. Consider joining the SHRM community and explore their certification options to grow professionally.
6. Embrace change and stay flexible, as it's a key to success.
Remember, you don't need to see the whole path ahead, just take that first step!
Here are some helpful tips to inspire you:
1. Reach out and connect with others—asking questions is a great way to learn.
2. Develop your soft skills and emotional intelligence to better understand and connect with people.
3. Enhance your understanding of business to make informed decisions.
4. Prepare a strong elevator speech and deliver it with confidence.
5. Consider joining the SHRM community and explore their certification options to grow professionally.
6. Embrace change and stay flexible, as it's a key to success.
Remember, you don't need to see the whole path ahead, just take that first step!
Updated
Jeffrey’s Answer
Hi Jadiah,
I agree with other perspectives shared above! There are so many different competencies and sub-specialties within the HR world. An internship is a great way to get exposed to those functions and see which you like best. There were some specialties I thought I'd really enjoy only to realize they weren't what I thought they'd be once I dabbled in them. And try to push yourself out of your comfort zone to try areas that might intimidate you. (Quant has never been my strong suit, but I loved learning about compensation and it has really made me a better manager and advocate for myself.)
Keep in mind that all these experiences "trying" things can lead to a role as a HR Business Partner. At my company, HRBPs tend to do a little of everything and get to flex a lot of different muscles across the entire HR competencies.
Good luck!
I agree with other perspectives shared above! There are so many different competencies and sub-specialties within the HR world. An internship is a great way to get exposed to those functions and see which you like best. There were some specialties I thought I'd really enjoy only to realize they weren't what I thought they'd be once I dabbled in them. And try to push yourself out of your comfort zone to try areas that might intimidate you. (Quant has never been my strong suit, but I loved learning about compensation and it has really made me a better manager and advocate for myself.)
Keep in mind that all these experiences "trying" things can lead to a role as a HR Business Partner. At my company, HRBPs tend to do a little of everything and get to flex a lot of different muscles across the entire HR competencies.
Good luck!