By: Capella University Editorial Team with Bradly Roh, PhD, DBA and Interim Dean and Vice President for the School of Business, Technology and Health Care Administration
Reading Time: 10 minutes
Whether a massive tech giant, a nonprofit or a government service, most organizations need human resources professionals.
If you love managing people, helping employees grow and creating a positive workplace culture, then a career path in human resources (HR) could be a good choice for you.
You may not need years of experience to get started in this field. What you do need is foundational knowledge and skills, a strategic approach and commitment to continuous learning.
Online HR programs are an excellent way for beginners to learn the basics. They’re especially useful for working adults who want to switch to HR roles without taking a long break to pursue a full-time degree.
Learn more about what HR professionals do, how to pursue a career in human resources and which different paths you can explore.
HR professionals help create smooth processes, supportive policies and positive employee experiences. In this field, you work on balancing business goals with employees’ needs so organizations can thrive. In practice, human resources professionals are responsible for a variety of functions that support both employees and organizational goals.
HR teams create a productive and healthy workplace that supports both the organization’s success and that of its employees. If this kind of impact appeals to you, read through the steps below to learn how you can pursue a career in this rewarding field.
Human resources careers can follow different paths depending on your background, interests and the type of organization you want to work in. While no single approach fits everyone, there are practical steps that can help you evaluate your readiness, build relevant skills and navigate the transition into HR over time.
Here are four steps that can help you prepare to start and grow career skills in HR.
First, you need to understand your strengths and the areas where you need improvement. HR professionals rely heavily on interpersonal abilities, organization and a strong understanding of people.
This means that evaluating where you stand when it comes to these key soft skills:
You also need to check if you have the required technical skills, like knowledge of labor laws and HR processes, proficiency in HR software and data interpretation and reporting.
Here’s how you can assess your current skills:
This self-awareness can help you understand which HR roles might be right for you and prepare for the demands of the field.
Many HR professionals transition from other fields. If you’re one of them, you likely brought valuable transferable skills with you.
For example, if you’ve worked in teaching or training positions, you likely know how to communicate well, explain complex information clearly and support students with different needs. These skills translate directly to employee onboarding and training in HR.
Compare your skills to the ones we’ve listed above or look at HR job postings to see which of your traits are transferable and where you need to improve.
Many HR professionals hold degrees in human resources or business, as a competency-based education helps them build and validate the relevant HR skills that employers value.
Education options include:
The MS in HRM program at Capella provides in-depth specialized knowledge and offers real-world experience through a capstone project. This skills-based learning can help you transition into an HR career path or pursue high-level positions in your current HR role.
If you pursue your MS in HRM at Capella through our GuidedPath learning format, you can access elective courses. These courses can help you pursue certifications from the Society for Human Resource Management – Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) and Professional in Human Resources (PHR), two industry leaders in HR, to build your credibility. All of Capella’s HRM curriculum is aligned with SHRM.
You can also get certifications to strengthen your resume if you’re thinking about switching careers. Beginner-friendly certifications include:
As you explore degree options, it can also help to consider how coursework is structured. Some online HR programs follow a set weekly schedule, while others offer more flexibility.
Capella University’s FlexPath learning format, available for select programs, is one example of a self-paced option that allows students to set their own deadlines within a 12-week session. This approach can be especially helpful for working professionals who want to move through familiar material more quickly and spend more time on areas that support their current HR role.
Practical experience plays a role in pursuing your first HR job. There are many ways to gain exposure without prior HR work experience, including:
For people looking to transition to HR, you can build HR-related skills in your current job by:
Apart from listing your education and certifications, you can strengthen your resume by reframing your skills. You can:
Linking your previous experience with key HR skills and duties in your resume could set you apart from other applicants.
Capella University students and alumni can access resources, events and expert advice through the Career Development Center. These resources can help you improve your resume and prepare for job applications and interviews.
Once you step into an HR role, continuing to build your skills and knowledge may help you expand your impact.
Workplace trends, technologies and employment laws change regularly. As an HR professional, you must understand and navigate these developments with confidence to pursue higher positions.
Growing your HR career often involves continuing to build your expertise in ways that support long-term goals. Advanced degrees and professional certifications can help deepen your knowledge and strengthen your credibility as you move forward.
Many HR professionals also look for opportunities to learn and connect through webinars, conferences and workshops. These experiences can help you stay current on evolving HR trends and technologies while expanding your professional network.
As your skills grow, seeking guidance from experienced HR leaders and mentors can offer a valuable perspective on career development. Building these relationships may help you navigate the next steps while strengthening your connections within the field.
Human resources offers a wide range of career paths, so you can choose broad generalist roles or specialize in a specific area.
HR generalists collaborate with their team members and managers to support staff across multiple departments, ensuring daily operations run smoothly. These roles teach beginners about various HR functions and their roles within the overall organization. Roles to explore include:
You can pursue them with a bachelor’s degree in business, with an HR specialization, certifications and initial experience through internships or HR-related projects at your workplace.
The roles listed here are examples intended to provide general guidance. Requirements can vary by employer, and some positions may prefer or require prior experience, certifications, licensure or additional qualifications.
Specialists in HR focus on one specific HR field.
Typically, you can specialize in one of these key areas:
As an HR specialist, you build niche expertise in your chosen field. You work alongside HR generalists and managers, applying your in-depth knowledge to help them enhance their operations. Examples of specialist roles to explore are:
You can also specialize as an HR professional in a specific industry. For example, you can prepare to pursue an HR career in health administration by earning an MS in HRM, Health Care degree.
These are only a few examples of specialist roles. Career outcomes depend on many factors, and Capella University cannot guarantee a specific job title, promotion, salary increase or other career result. Researching role-specific requirements can help you align your education with your goals.
The career path for HR specialists begins with a basic education and generalist roles, allowing for broad exposure to HR. Then, you can develop specialized expertise through work experience or pursue advanced degrees and certifications to demonstrate in-depth knowledge.
HR seniors and leaders set the overall direction of an organization’s people-related strategy, while also ensuring that HR supports long-term business goals.
You may need years of work experience to gain the operational expertise, strong communication skills and high-level decision-making abilities required to be an HR leader.
Common HR managerial and leadership roles are:
The roles listed here are examples intended to provide general guidance. Senior and leadership positions typically require significant professional experience, and expectations can vary by employer and organization. Completing an advanced degree or certification does not guarantee a specific job title, promotion, salary increase or career outcome. Researching role requirements can help you align your education and experience with your long-term goals.
To move into management and senior roles within your current organization, you’ll likely need to show leadership at work by managing small projects, coaching newer staff or overseeing initiatives like engagement surveys.
A master’s degree and advanced certifications are excellent options if you’re pursuing senior roles. They can help you develop crucial skills in areas like organizational development, analytics, change management and executive communication.
If your career goals go beyond HR and into organizational leadership, a doctoral degree, like a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), is one way to establish yourself as an industry expert. A doctorate degree, combined with your professional experience, could put you on the path towards organizational leadership roles, such as chief of staff or program manager, in the future.
HR is a career where you help organizations thrive by helping people thrive. To pursue your career in this varied field, you need clarity, consistency and the willingness to learn.
Capella University’s online business and HR programs can give you a clear roadmap and structure to prepare for career exploration in HR. You also gain valuable, industry-relevant skills and knowledge straight from HR and business experts.
You can also complete your HR degree program without sacrificing your current work and life priorities through the FlexPath learning format.
Begin your HR journey. Explore our online Master of Science in Human Resource Management program.
HR could be a strong career field for people who enjoy problem-solving, communication and supporting workplace culture. It offers many paths and opportunities across multiple industries.
HR career paths include generalist roles, specialized positions in compensation, learning and development or recruitment and talent acquisition, plus leadership roles such as HR manager and HR director.
HR can be a promising career if you play to your strengths and skills to get roles at organizations that prioritize talent, culture and employee experience.
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