I remember going to a mandatory training session while working in patient care. Two enthusiastic people discussed the importance of critical thinking and emotional intelligence in healthcare. Their presentation was thorough yet relatable and entertaining. After the training, I asked them about their backgrounds and how they got into their professions. They both smiled and said they worked in Human Resources (HR) as Training and Development Specialists.  

That training was offered about five years before I decided I wanted to change my career, and it took me an additional five years before I landed my ideal role as an HR Specialist. I get to do a combination of things I enjoy like recruitment, employee engagement, and community engagement with volunteers. So, why did it take me so long to transition into the HR field and what can you learn from my experience?  Below are the three main challenges I encountered:

• I was unable to communicate my transferable skills. As a medical credentialist, I worked with various medical professionals. I verified their records, managed sensitive information, adhered to deadlines, and assisted with onboarding and training. These skills are all relevant to HR; however, I didn’t do a good job of connecting the dots when I wrote my resume and didn’t include them. If an organization used an Applicant Tracking System (ATS), they would likely skip over me due to a lack of keywords related to the job.  
• I didn’t have experience in HR: Plain and simple. I did not have any true experience working in the HR field. I also thought that I needed to land a specific job in HR to gain that experience. However, I later found that there were many ways to gain experience before getting hired such as community volunteering, working on HR-related projects, and expressing interest in HR to my current employer. 
• No plan or vision: I didn’t know what I really wanted to do or what specific role I was looking for. HR has many positions under its umbrella. It’s not enough to just want to join the field; I needed to narrow my search down to a specific area of interest. My lack of vision often left me feeling lost as I pursued a few HR-related jobs and had poor experiences.  Looking back, those early work experiences didn’t align with what I truly desired for my career, which was working in recruiting and employee engagement. 

After dealing with many ghosting and rejection emails from employers, I finally decided that I needed to step it up! Here are the things that made a big difference for me in landing a rewarding position in HR: 

• Networking: I thought that, to network with others, I had to already be a part of the in-crowd. What I found is that there are events for people who are curious about HR or are in the early stages of their careers. A few of the events I attended were hosted by the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) – County Chapter and the National Association of African Americans in Human Resources (NAAAHR), along with virtual networking events. Connecting with people at those events helped me become comfortable interacting with other professionals and more confident about my career path. I formed great relationships with people who would share their advice and opportunities with me. I later wrote a guide on networking based on my experiences. 
  Tip: Visit the Career Planning and Development website for online and offline networking resources or take a deep dive into networking by reading my networking guide: Go Outside and Network: A Get-Out-There Guide  
• Projects and Tasks: I voiced my interests to my employer and took on additional projects and tasks related to my HR goals such as reviewing resumes, helping to source applicants, assisting with interview questions, and participating in interviews. 
  Tip: Seek out stretch assignments in the workplace where you can gain HR-related skills.  If you are not currently working, consider volunteering at organizations in your community.  It is more work for you, but it can pay off in the long run as experience. 
• Education: I enrolled at Walden University and earned my MS in Human Resource Management. Education adds to experience; I really learned a lot about the HR field through my studies. My academic program helped me understand that my true interest is in recruitment. My ability to soar through the program and enjoy it confirmed that I had what it took to be successful in HR and boosted my confidence even more. 
  Tip: Learning can come from your academic program but also through professional development, training, certifications, and more.  HR is a field that is constantly changing, so it is important to stay current on trends and best practices. 
• Timing: I had to be patient and wait for the right opportunity to come my way while, at the same time, working on activities I had direct control over such as networking, gaining experience, and completing my education.  My patience, persistence, and perseverance ultimately led to my current position as an HR Specialist. 
  Tip: Sometimes, the right opportunity is not available yet.  Wait for the proper timing, keep looking, and equip yourself with new skills, knowledge, and connections in the meantime.  That way, you will be prepared and ready when the right opportunity comes your way. 

Important Things to Know about a Career in HR 

1. Working in HR Can Be Lonely: Some people may not want to associate with you due to stereotypes about HR being in place to feed information to leadership. 
2. The HR Industry Can Be High-stress: No matter what area of HR you are in, there are often time-sensitive demands and several people that you will engage with regularly. It can be draining if you don’t prioritize work/life balance.  
3. Diversifying Your Portfolio Within HR Is Critical: As new positions are created and with the introduction of automated software systems and Artificial Intelligence (AI), it is important to stay up to date with innovations and trending topics across the workforce.  

Additional Resources: 
Career Planning and Development’s Career Exploration Tab 
Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM)  
Indeed.com The Hierarchy of HR Job Titles 
Career One Stop: Occupation Profile – Human Resources Specialists 
Walden University Program Information: MS in Human Resource Management 
Bureau of Labor Statistics – Occupational Outlook Handbook (HR Specialists) 
Research HR careers using resources from Local Libraries and the Walden University Library 

Written by Winifred LaFrance-Chambers, ’21 Walden Alumna 

Edited by Dina Bergren, Manager, Career Planning and Development