Careers 101: Human Resources Jobs in Ohio

Published on 2008-04-29

Schools:

Because of the nature of the work and its many areas of specialization, professionals in the human resources field come from a wide variety of educational backgrounds. Most major colleges and universities in Ohio offer four-year degree programs in human resources and/or labor relations. A bachelor's degree in business administration or a behavioral science such as sociology or psychology would also provide a good foundation for obtaining human resources jobs in Ohio. Certification or an advanced degree is often required for specialized HR roles or jobs in human resources management. Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University in Columbus has a Ph.D. program in Labor and Human Resources. A master's degree in Human Resources Management & Personnel Administration can be obtained from Xavier University in Cincinnati. DeVry University in Columbus also has a master's program in Human Resources Management.

Employers:

Many small and medium-sized businesses apportion HR responsibilities among several different employees. Job prospects will be best for those who apply at larger firms or focus on industries that deal more extensively with HR-related issues such as occupational health and safety, job training or international relations. When looking for HR jobs in Columbus, Ohio, for example, focusing your job search on a particular area such as healthcare, even in an assistant position, will help you to develop a niche that can lead to future career advancement. Conversely, an entry-level HR generalist job at a smaller company might introduce you to a particular aspect of HR work that you enjoy and for which you can pursue further training.