What It’s Really Like To Work In Human Resources
What I’ve learned after 10 years of working in human resources.
I was 19 years old, and home for fall break during my sophomore year of college. I was visiting with some family friends and regaling them with tales of newly-forged friendships and the thrills of exploring a new city.
Eventually, the conversation pivoted to academics. They asked me what I had decided to major in, as one does in her second year of undergrad. I happily told them that I had decided on human resources. I was pleased to have found a major focused on unpacking how an organization’s most important asset, its people, could impact a business’ financial results.
But, rather unexpectedly, they peered back at me with a look that can only be described as disgust.
“You do not want to be in human resources,” they began. “They are not human, and they are not a resource.”
This comment has always stuck with me.
Sure, as a teenager it made me feel small and insecure about my decision-making. But, beyond that, it made me wonder whether most other businesspeople felt this way, too. And, if they did, what was in store for me and my newly chosen career path?
