Learn About Careers Learn About Careers
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Human Resources Assistant
Human resources assistants often work with a human resources director. They help
maintain a company’s employee personnel records. They update information, create reports
for managers, and assist with getting information from job applicants. Many answer employee
questions about wages and benefi ts. Attention to details, good organizational skills, strong
computer skills, and ability to keep information private are essential. Most of these positions
require training beyond high school. Some require an associate’s degree.
Human Resources Director
With exceptional interpersonal skills, human resources directors are involved in many
aspects of employee relations. They interview and hire employees according to a company’s
policies. These workers also help employees improve their skills through training and
professional development activities. They work with compensation, benefi ts, and labor
relations. Human resources directors may also provide programs to improve employee
safety, wellness, and ability to balance home and work life. A bachelor’s degree is required to
enter this career. Courses in management principles, accounting and fi nance, labor law, and
collective bargaining provide valuable background. Integrity, fair-mindedness, and strong ethical
standards are key personal traits for human resources directors.
Industrial-Organizational Psychologist
Psychologists study human behavior through observation, interpretation, and recording
interactions between people and their environments. Industrial-organizational psychologists use
these skills in the workplace. They apply their skills to improving the workplace and quality of
work life. They often screen, train, and counsel people who are job applicants for an employer.
Many work with company managers to improve the work setting and worker productivity. Many
positions require a master’s degree. Some require a doctorate. Personal traits necessary for
psychologists include compassion, sensitivity, and excellent communication skills. Leadership
ability, patience, and perseverance are key qualities.
Is this career path for you? Pursue one or both of the following activities
to determine if you are suitable for a career in human resources.
• Interview a worker in human resources from an employer in your area. Ask about the
education and training this person needed to perform this work. What career path has the
person followed? What aspects about the work are personally satisfying? What aspects
would he or she like to change? Write a summary of your fi ndings to share with the class.
• Use the CareerOneStop and Bureau of Labor Statistics websites to research additional
careers related to human resources. Give an oral report to the class about one career of
interest to you.
Unit 3 Unit 3
Managing Your Career
Chapter 8 Learning About Work
Chapter 9 Making Career Decisions
Chapter 10 Getting the Job You Want
Chapter 11 Preparing for Job Success
Unit Essential Question
How can you take responsibility for your own life in relation to your goals and aspirations?
Exploring Career Pathways
Human Resources Careers
Are you good with details? Do you like to help people in the workplace? Perhaps a career in
human resources is for you. Here are some careers in this pathway many people enjoy.
© Dmitriy Shironosov/Shutterstock
Shows content for four chapters covering
all aspects of job searching and
successful employment.
Four Career Chapters Four Career Chapters
Inspires insight into a career direction that
matches your talents and abilities.
Essential Career Question Essential Career Question
Includes three related career options—
from entry level to experienced—
and two activities.
Exploring Career Pathways Exploring Career Pathways
Sixteen Career Clusters
The Career Clusters icons are being used with permission of the:
States’ Career Clusters Initiative, 2008, www.careertech.org
9-2 These icons represent the primary areas of careers with many specifi c career paths under each one.
Online Career Resources
Source Internet Address
USAJOBS, the offi cial job site of the U.S. Federal Government www.usajobs.gov
Occupational Outlook Handbook, U.S. Department of Labor
(Bureau of Labor Statistics)
www.stats.bls.gov/oco
Occupational Outlook Quarterly, U.S. Department of Labor
(Bureau of Labor Statistics)
www.bls.gov/opub/ooq
U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training
Administration)
www.doleta.gov
The Occupational Information Network (O*NET™) www.onetonline.org
CareerOneStop www.careeronestop.org
Mapping Your Future www.mappingyourfuture.org
9-4 Take advantage of the many resources available online for your career research.
Lists valuable online sources and
their websites for more in-depth
career exploration.
Online Career Resources Online Career Resources
Presents the 16 Career Clusters and how they
relate to Family and Consumer Sciences careers.
Career Clusters Career Clusters
X Introduction