The Human Resources Career Track is available on this web page only. Explore the content to learn more about the field and check back periodically for updates.
Start Your Career Journey in Human Resources
Human Resources (HR) is centered on people and the success of an organization’s workforce. HR professionals recruit, hire, develop, support, and retain talent while fostering positive and compliant workplace environments. If you’re passionate about people, communication, problem-solving, and organizational development, HR can be an excellent career path to explore. Modern HR is also highly data-driven and operational, partnering closely with the business on talent strategy, compliance, workforce planning, and organizational effectiveness.
What Is Human Resources?
Human Resources (HR) manages every stage of the employee experience—from hiring to development to workplace culture. Key HR functions include:
- Recruiting & talent acquisition (Early Talent, Early-Career, Experienced Professionals, Senior Leadership, and Executive Search)
- Employee onboarding and training
- Talent and leadership development
- Employee relations & conflict resolution
- Compensation & benefits
- HR compliance & employment law
- HR information systems (HRIS)
- Culture and Belonging
- People & workforce analytics
- Organizational development and change management
- HR Consulting
- HR Strategy
HR is also known by related terms like People Operations, People & Culture, or Talent Management.
Necessary Skills
HR roles require different skill sets depending on the function, but some examples include:
People & Communication
- Interpersonal communication
- Active listening
- Emotional intelligence
- Coaching & feedback
- Facilitation
- Public Speaking
HR Knowledge
- Talent acquisition & interviewing
- Understanding of employment law
- Compensation & benefits basics
- Cultural competence
Professional Skills
- Ethical judgment & confidentiality
- Problem-solving & conflict resolution
- Project management & organization
- Data literacy & HR analytics
- Change management
- Ability to learn and navigate new HR technologies & systems
What to do Now to Prepare
Ways to build HR experience—no matter your major.
Micro-Internships
Short-term projects that offer real-world HR exposure.
- Parker Dewey: Often features HR tasks like recruiting support, onboarding, or training content development.
International students: Always confirm OPT/CPT eligibility before paid work.
Virtual HR Experience Programs
Free, self-paced simulations that replicate HR tasks.
- The Forage: Candidate screening, employee onboarding, HRIS tasks, people analytics, DEI-related projects.
Free Online Courses
Take courses in:
- HR fundamentals
- Recruiting & talent acquisition
- Organizational behavior
- People analytics
- Employment law
- Performance management
Platforms: Coursera | edX | LinkedIn Learning | Michigan Online
- Coursera HR Courses
- edX Courses and Resources
- LinkedIn Learning Courses
- Michigan Online Courses
- OpenLearn
- Microsoft Learn
Get Familiar with HR Technology (Highly Valuable!)
Students entering HR are expected to understand modern HR tools. Explore:
- Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS): Greenhouse, Workday, iCIMS
- HRIS Platforms: Workday, ADP, BambooHR
- People Analytics Tools: Tableau, Excel, Power BI
Learning Systems: Cornerstone, SuccessFactors
Connecting with HR Professionals
Networking Resources
- UCAN: Connect with U-M alumni in HR, talent management, DEI, and people operations.
- LinkedIn: Conduct informational interviews with HR professionals.
- University Career Center Networking Guides: Learn outreach strategies and conversation tips.
Campus Resources
- SHRM @ U-M (Society for Human Resource Management)
- Leadership and communication clubs
Use Maize Pages to explore more.
Professional Associations
Joining associations provides webinars, job boards, conferences, and certification pathways.
- SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management)
- ATD (Association for Talent Development)
- WorldatWork (Compensation & benefits)
- NACE (Higher ed & early career HR)
- SIOP (Industrial-Organizational Psychology)
Typical Entry-Level HR Jobs
- HR Assistant / HR Coordinator
- Recruiting or Talent Acquisition Coordinator
- Onboarding Specialist
- Training & Development Assistant
- HRIS Assistant
- Employee Experience or Engagement Assistant
- HR Compliance Assistant
- Payroll or Benefits Assistant
- People Operations Coordinator
Keywords for Job & Internship Searching
Use these when browsing job boards:
- Human Resources
- HR Coordinator / HR Assistant
- Recruiting / Talent Acquisition
- Campus Recruiting
- Employee Relations/ Employee Engagement
- Training & Development
- People Operations
- Human Capital
- Organizational Development
- People Analytics
Internship and Job Searching Essentials
Understanding HR Hiring Timelines
- Fall–Spring is the peak time for HR internships (August–Feb).
- Recruiting-heavy roles (campus recruiting, talent acquisition) follow business hiring cycles.
- Many HR roles are posted year-round, especially in HR operations or HRIS.
Job Boards for HR Opportunities
- Handshake
- LinkedIn Jobs
- Indeed
- WayUp (early talent)
- Idealist (DEI, nonprofit HR)
- SHRM Career Center
Resume, Cover Letter, & Interview Preparation
Resume Tips
Highlight:
- Leadership roles
- Experience with people-facing tasks
- Projects with training, onboarding, communication, or data
- HR courses, certifications, or online modules
Cover Letter Tips
Show interest in:
- Supporting people
- Improving work culture
- Learning & development
- Organizational values
- Organizational problem-solving
Interviewing
Practice:
- Behavioral questions (“Tell me about a time you resolved a conflict…”)
- Ethical judgment scenarios
- Communication and organizational skills
- Coursera HR Interview Prep
Certifications for Students & Early-Career HR Professionals (Important!)
Certifications help you stand out—even before graduation.
- SHRM-CP (after relevant experience)
- SHRM Foundation Micro-Certificates (FREE!) – DEI, HR basics, etc.
- LinkedIn Learning HR Certificates
- ATD Talent Development Certificates
- Google Project Management Certificate (useful for HR operations)
- HR Certification Institute (HRCI)
Note: Continuing education may be required to keep certifications. Ex. SHRM and PHR and fees apply
Industry Trends in HR
Stay updated on topics shaping HR today:
- AI & automation in hiring
- HRIS and people analytics
- Employee wellbeing & mental health
- Hybrid and remote workplace strategies
- Skills-based hiring
- Emerging HR technology
Helpful resources to stay updated: