Human Resources options

[asgoo]

So I've managed to sort myself out with a few weeks of work experience within HR before I get back to uni, and have been told they can let me spend more time in some areas and less in others, depending on my preference. Are there any departments which are considered harder to develop an understanding of/appreciation for? (Employability wise - I'm going to be trying for hr grad schemes next year.) I guess if I want the fat wedge I'm going to have to do a bit of everything at some point, so just after some opinions.

[72EuropaTC]

Do you mean areas within HR?

If so, have a look at HR resources on cipd.co.uk and see what interests you.

Things like reward management; performance management; conflict resolution and organisaton development may get more attention over the next few years.

[asgoo]

Yes that's what I meant, CIPD has some great info thanks. Seems like quite a progressive area of business in general at the moment.

[Gargamel]

Specialist in HR areas will tend to out earn there counterparts who are generalists

Organisation Design is in high demand now, but genuinely good HR Business Partners are still very very hard to find

[edc]

Only the larger or matrix organisations will have the specialist roles. Some of the area you describe aren't specialisms in their own right with people wholly dedicated to it. My suggestion would be to get exposure to organisation design, change management, reward and if possible HR systems/data analysis. Don't underestimate the value of the operational side of things. Ultimately, all of that which I have mentioned is there to drive performance/productivity.