HR specialists help build businesses by hiring talented people and keeping them happy. These professionals have five major specialties: compensation and benefits; training and development; employment, recruiting and placement; information systems; and employee assistance. The work requires analytical skills, a fresh perspective and business knowledge. A human resources training specialist may have a different set of tasks to complete every day, ranging from recruiting or training new employees to answering questions about employee benefits and addressing compliance issues.

Brownie Wise, an American saleswoman credited with making Tupperware a household name (and the originator of the Tupperware party), once said, "If we build the people, they’ll build the business." Today, human resources training specialists operate under this same assumption.

"Human resources jobs may literally involve any aspect of an employer’s workforce," says Nancy H. Segal, owner of HR consulting firm Solutions for the Workplace LLC. "There’s enough variety for everyone, and each specialty requires a different knowledge base."

Jobs often include flexible hours and telecommuting, and involve collaborating with project teams and employees based outside the office. Companies are now developing training initiatives that don’t require workers to sit in a room for hours at a time. Technology and online resources are included in the process, which helps make training more inclusive for telecommuting employees. As a result, training and development specialists are needed to introduce new staff to company policies using these methods.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6.3% employment growth for hr specialists between 2022 and 2032. In that period, an estimated 24,200 jobs should open up.

A bachelor’s degree is required for a job in this field, and many HR professionals have degrees in human resources, communications, business or something related. Regardless of their major, Segal encourages candidates to take business classes.

"HR is a management function, and if you ultimately want a seat at the table, then an understanding of how HR affects the bottom line is essential," she says. Professional in Human Resources and Senior Professional in Human Resources are the "industry standard" certifications, according to Segal. Some positions require candidates to have relevant work experience, such as a human resources assistant or a customer service representative.

For college students and recent graduates looking to land an entry-level position, internships are a great route.