Human Resources Management

Major/Career Profile

General Description

Human resources managers, or personnel managers, develop and implement policies designed to attract and keep the best available employees in an organization, to provide for employee well-being, and to promote efficiency on the job. Duties include recruiting , interviewing and hiring of applicants; counseling employees; analyzing jobs; and preparing wage and salary scales. They may also handle labor relations, training, retirement administration, employee benefits, and equal opportunity programs. The human resources management option within the College of Business Administration at CSULB offers courses in theories, policies, and practices of personnel management.

Career Options

Graduates with this major find work as: Personnel Assistant, Job Analyst, Employment Interviewer, Recruiter, Personnel Director, Labor Relations Specialist, Training Specialist, Vocational Counselor, Manpower Planner, Publications Specialist, Records Manager, Wage-Salary Administrator, Safety Director, Employment Supervisor, Conciliator, Management Trainee, International HR Manager and Contract Analyst. Some of these careers require additional education or experience. Various entry-level trainee positions in business and industry are available for graduates regardless of academic discipline.

Typical Employers

Health care services, airline and cruise lines, banks and financial institutions, colleges and universities, construction industry, consulting firms, government agencies, insurance companies, labor unions, machinery manufacturers, petroleum industry, social service agencies, travel/transportation industry, utilities, and wholesale/retail merchandisers.

Salary and Employment Outlook

The number of human resources, training and labor relation managers and specialists is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2010. Most growth will occur in the private sector as employers develop effective employee relations programs for an expanding, diverse and aging workforce.

The National Association of Colleges and Employers 2001 Salary Survey revealed that candidates with a bachelor's degree in human resources received starting offers averaging $31,963 a year. Salaries vary based upon the position and size of the company, geographic location, previous experience and level of education.

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