Working World - Career Transition

Do you find that people always seem to come to you with their problems? Are you good at giving practical advice? Do you seem to have a knack for looking at the big picture yet seeing all the details that need to be considered? Do you have experience as a volunteer leader or a team player? If so, then the field of human resources might be a profession you should pursue.

Human resources, earlier referred to as personnel management, got its start in the industrial revolution when issues related to child labour, the length of work weeks, wage issues and the threat of unionization forced companies to pay more attention to people issues in the workplace. Essentially the job was more administrative, keeping track of people, time and wages.

But then during the first and second wars, enlisted soldiers had to be slotted into jobs that best suited their talents and trained to ensure high productivity and success. This need gave rise to the use of assessment tests, training programs and personnel officers. And in fact, it was the impetus behind the first Personnel Management Course in Canada, offered jointly in 1942 by the University of Manitoba and the Dominion Department of Labour.

Today, the work of individuals in the field has become more professionalized and the word personnel changed to “Human Resource” management. As well, a new national professional designation called Certified Human Resource Management Professional (CHRP) is being introduced in March 2003.

The road to professionalization has been long and arduous. Up until a very few short years ago, most individuals entered the profession either accidentally or through a special assignment. It was only after their practical experience and a realization that their skills and talents created success and a love for the job that they returned to school to attain a certificate in Human Resources. The Certificate consisted of a six-credit course at the University of Manitoba.

Liane MacIntosh, an HR Consultant with Bowes Leadership Group is a good example of professionals who have taken this career path. With a background in psychology and administrative studies, Liane initially worked in an administrative capacity within a business consultancy firm and was then presented with an HR analyst opportunity supporting a senior Human Resource consultant.

It didn’t take her long to gain an appreciation for the human resource field and to realize that her excellent customer service skills, her experience as a provincial trainer in the army reserves and her natural analytical and problem solving skills were a good foundation upon which to build human resource management expertise. Soon she completed an HR Certificate, qualified in several proprietary HR methodologies and is now an MBA student majoring in Human Resource Management. And after six years experience, Liane is a Manager with her own client caseload and projects.

Liane’s enthusiasm for her job is evident. Her eyes brighten when she speaks of her success. She loves the variety of HR projects she’s involved in, the fast pace of the consulting world and the many different businesses and people she’s come in contact with. She wouldn’t trade her profession for the world.

Michelle …………………, an HR professional with Blue Cross has taken a more academic route to entering the profession. Michelle enrolled and completed her four-year, Bachelor of Commerce degree majoring in Human Resources. Then, during her summer school breaks, Michelle participated in the Manitoba government Career Start program and worked in the HR department of Maxim Transportation under the guidance of Ms. Laurel Simmons, HR Manager and current President of HRMAM as her coach and mentor.

Michelle says.

Human Resources is considered one of the fastest growing professions in Canada. It’s broad in scope and includes a number of both generalist and specialist career tracks. Professionals work in the areas of recruitment and selection of new staff, training and development, compensation, payroll and benefits, performance management, workplace health and safety, human resource information systems, career management and organizational performance improvement. In addition, there are specific professional designations in the areas of compensation, pension, benefits, and payroll specialties.

Individuals who have an interest in the field can attain professional training through local university degree programs, community college and continuing education certificate and diploma programs, distance education degree programs and professional certification programs offered through professional associations. Also, the local Human Resource Management Association of Manitoba can link you with an HR professional who would be pleased to discuss your interest in this profession. Call the Association at 204-943-2836.