Human Resources – diverse pathways to a rewarding career
If you are passionate about people, interested in motivating others to achieve their full potential, and energized by contributing to the strategic vision of an organization, a career in the human resources field may be for you. Human Resources—previously considered an administrative role—is now seen as a strategic business partner responsible for nurturing valuable human capital within organizations.
Education and Academic Qualifications
There are diverse pathways to a career in human resources. Many universities offer undergraduate degrees in Business Administration and Human Resources Management directly linked to the Certified Human Resources Professional designation (CHRP). Other programs like psychology, behavioural science, legal studies, communications, data science, and economics cover foundational knowledge to prepare graduates for a career in the human resources industry. Completion of post-graduate courses, either in-person or online, would prepare graduates for the CHRP examinations.
Human Resources Specializations
The human resources profession offers a wide range of specializations that allow practitioners to work in areas best suited to their skills and interests. Those passionate about behavioural science may find organizational development, change management, training and development, and employee relations align with their strengths and passions. Graduates who enjoy data science, economics, and legal studies may prefer a career in compensation and benefits, labour relations, or HR analytics. If motivating and inspiring others ignites your passion, the area of talent acquisition and recruitment may be an option. Human resources professionals work with people and require excellent communication and interpersonal skills, conflict-resolution abilities, and empathy—competencies gained from diverse undergraduate fields of study.
Practical Experience
Gaining practical experience is an important step in determining if a career in the human resources field is right for you. Co-op opportunities and summer internships in HR departments can provide valuable practical experience and exposure to real-world HR challenges. Additionally, joining your local human resources association as a student member and attending HR workshops and conferences can build your industry network—an essential step in securing your first human resources job.
A career in human resources can provide a fulfilling and rewarding profession. If you are not sure where your undergraduate degree will take you, consider the many human- resources-related specializations and diverse roles within this industry.
Examples of Human Resources Education programs:
- Bachelor of Management↗, University of British Columbia Okanagan.
- Bachelor of Commerce – Human Resource Major↗, University of British Columbia
- Human Resources Management Diploma↗, British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT).
- Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resources Management↗, Kwantlen Polytechnic University.
- Bachelor of Business Administration (Major/Minor) Human Resources Management↗, Vancouver Island University.
- Bachelor of Business Administration – Human Resource Management Major↗, Thompson Rivers University.
- Bachelor of Commerce in Human Resources Management↗, University of Northern British Columbia.
- Bachelor of Human Resources Management↗, York University.
- Bachelor of Arts (Honours) – Industrial Relations and Human Resources Major↗, University of Toronto.
- Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) – Human Resources Management Major↗, Toronto Metropolitan University.
- Bachelor of Management and Organizational Studies in Human Resources Management↗, University of Western Ontario.
- Bachelor of Commerce – Human Resources Focus Area↗, Queen’s University.
- Human Resources Management, Minor or Post-Degree Diploma↗, University of Waterloo.
Written by Jacqueline Thornley-Hall (CHRP)
