HR Poll
Lola815
225 Posts
1. How long have you been working in HR?
2. How many companies have you worked for?
3. Did you graduate from college in the field or did you just fall into it?
2. How many companies have you worked for?
3. Did you graduate from college in the field or did you just fall into it?
Comments
>2. How many companies have you worked for?
>3. Did you graduate from college in the field or did you just fall
>into it?
I have been in HR 22 years in 2 different companies. Just fell into it no college training in the field.
Anita
In this day and age, I would advise anyone who wants to go into Human Resources to double major in HR and Law. Some universities offer this.
>fell into it after I graduated from college with a degree in
>Sociology. I had to basically create my job, so it has evolved since
>my first year working here.
Ditto to Lola's post except make that BA in History. I do have 20+ years experience in small business ownership. When my husband retired to the golf course, I found a new line of work - and I love it! I do have PHR certification. Had to go to Las Vegas to take the test - darn my luck!
P.S: DITTO MISSY'S COMPARISON ABOVE!
I graduated from college, but at that point, I did not plan or think about entering HR (didn't know what area I'd work in although I was looking forward to a career in administrative work in government).
When I got home tonighe I noticed that I hadn't really identified how I actually got into the HR field. I had applied for a promotional job with my agency through civil service. The job was involved with employee relations activities, oriented toward providing management with guidance on discipline and performance problems, preparing the discipline action letters, and then reprosenting the agency in full blown-administrative hearings as part of the emplyee's due process. The hiring manager, who felt that I would make a good HR staffperson, wanted to select someone else but I was ahead of that person on the examination list. So the manager asked me if I would "waive" my standing and let the person below me get selected with an assurance that with the next opening I would be selected. I did. And a few months later I recieved the call from the manager offering me the next opening. That manager was one of the few managers who I felt had true integrity.
That job was in fact how I got my screen name, "Hatchetman". I used to enter my agency's offices in my three-piece suit, carrying my brief case, and all the employees knew that some one was getting the ax.
Margaret Morford
theHRedge
615-371-8200
[email]mmorford@mleesmith.com[/email]
[url]http://www.thehredge.net[/url]
2. How many companies: Worked in-house in 4 companies, not including a couple of years running the Saratoga Institute, and now my own consulting firm.
3. How got into the field: After a time in social services, got a Ph.D in Org. Psych, taught in a school of management in Boston, then came west to join the (then) chip/semi-conductor revolution. For youngsters, to get a feel for what it was like then, think "internet craziness, with real products/profits". I wasn't entirely clear what HR was, but knew a lot about management and so was christened a Director of Training. Became VP HR at several companies (got a JD along the way, just 'cause I got tired of paying lawyers and not knowing what the heck they were really doing), and now do strategy, consulting & coaching for HR organizations.
Steve McElfresh, Ph.D
HR Futures
408 605 1870
Rodger
2. Worked for 3 different companies in 3 different fields. (One of the things I love about HR is that it is not industry specific. With a few adjustments, you can work in any type of industry.)
3. Totally fell into it. I ended up in the HR department of a direct marketing firm I had worked at for awhile because they were looking for anything that would allow me to be full-time. I found I really enjoyed the work. I am now less than a year away from my bachelor's in management with an HR concentration. I will also probably be testing for my PHR certification this December.
Spent 15 years with one company in manufacturing as HR Mgr. Got a world of OJT there because the President (and my boss) had a Masters degree in HR Management and was extremely knowledgeable. I believe I learned more under him than I ever would have in college (although I didn't always agree with his methods).
I am H.R. Manager for a large manufacturing firm now, having been recruited about a year ago. Much more progressive environment, better pay and benefits, you know the story.
To sum up, as a youngster I thought I wanted to do Accounting. Later realized that I am much more of a people person than that. And, most of the time, I love ?? the challenges of H.R. I certainly agree with the posting that recommends both a degree in H.R. and law school.
It has been very rewarding watching this profession become a "profession" and see the position of trust and respect it now holds in companies.
My hat is off to the senior folks above. Staying with HR for so many years is inspiring to us all....
Although you have 35 years in, we all suspect that you were an HR Child Prodigy, which makes you about 42 or 43. However, since we all know that a year in HR is like a dog year, you are 245 years old in experience!
Margaret Morford
theHRedge
615-371-8200
[email]mmorford@mleesmith.com[/email]
[url]http://www.thehredge.net[/url]