Overview of Human Resources
Human Resources (HR) is responsible for managing all matters related to an organization's employees, including: recruitment, training, compensation, payroll, and retention.
Get details on the salary and job security of these Human Resources careers:
Get Career Ready for Human Resources
Find out what it takes to land a career in Human Resources
Earn a Degree
To work in the field of Human Resources, it is recommended to have a strong background in human resource management, business, psychology, conflict resolution, or public administration. Majors, minors, and degree information can be found in the Mason Catalog.
In addition to your degree, certifications can increase your employment options in the field of Human Resources. Here are a few:
- Contemporary Dispute Resolution Graduate Certificate
- Associate Professional in Human Resources (aPHR)
- Certified Resume Master Certification CDI
- Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC)
- Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) Certification
- Professional in Human Resources® (PHR®)
- Senior Professional in Human Resources® (SPHR®)
Gain Experiences
Employers are expecting candidates to have at least six to twelve months of related experience to be competitive for full-time positions. Gain experience while you are a student at Mason.
Here are the types of experiences most valued by Human Resources employers, and where to find them:
Internships/Jobs
- SHRM Jobs
- HR Certification Institute (HRCI) Jobs
- Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP)
- HR.com Jobs
- SimplyHired(HR)
Leadership positions
- Orientation Leader
- Peer Career Advisor/Mentor
- Resident Advisor
- Recruitment Chair
Market Yourself
It is important for you to be able to clearly communicate the knowledge, skills and experiences you have gained in and outside of the classroom.
Below are top ways to showcase your qualifications to Human Resources employers:
Resume
Career Ready
As every organization has a Human Resources function, career-ready Mason grads have gone on to work for employers, such as:
Amazon Web Services (AWS) |
Capital One |
Deloitte |
Fairfax County Public Schools |
Fairfax County Government |
General Dynamics Information Technology |
Inova Health System |
Peraton |
US Department of State |
Join the Human Resources community
Get involved with academic and professional societies to grow your network while you're still a student.