Human Resources Career Advice

[johnintaiwan]

Thanks in advance for your advice!

I currently live in Taiwan where I have taught English for about 5 years. I am thinking of moving back to the US in the next couple of years and working in Human Resources. My question is whether I am qualified and will be able to find a job.

Here are my credentials:

B.A. Speech Communications: organizations comm, conflict management, intercultural comm, diversity, business ethics

M.A. Teaching

Fraternity: Mediator, solved conflicts between members; Scholarship Chairman, collect grade reports and created programs to help members improve their grades.

5+ years teaching, working in a diverse environment with people from many different countries and backgrounds.


I have found a site online, universal class, that has a lot of classes dealing with HR and they are pretty cheap, around $60-$75. Since I dont have any direct experience in HR, would these classes be helpful? Would it at least let me get my foot in the door, or would it just be a waste of time and money? I am only shooting for an entry level position at least at first.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[qbird]

I currently work in HR.  I have a BA in English, I did not have any HR experience or classes.  I had experience in another area of my company and started off there with the full intention of getting in HR.  I was a stellar employee so when a position in HR was posted I applied and received the approval of my managers. I interviewed, it went really well and I received the position. So my suggestion is to get hired in a company and work your way in and/or just keep applying for entry level positions.  The classes that you want to take can't hurt, it just shows your interest.  Just be real about entering the field, we have a directors position available now and a person from Burger King applied, a line cook. 
Hope this helps.
Q

[johnintaiwan]

I guess you never know until you ask. Would be a pretty big pay bump going from BK to that level. Though the are the King.

I would be happy with an entry level position. I really just want to get my wife her citizenship and build credits for SS. Hope to make enough to keep adding to the stache.

[Catbert]

I'm a retired HR Manager for the Federal government.  For entry level jobs we weren't picky about what a candidate's degree was in...English, history, psychology, etc.  It was important to have a Bachelor's degree in something from a regular college or university.  (No on-line colleges, no U of Phoenix or similar.)  We primarily looked for writing, analytical and speaking skills. 

The on-line classes you mention wouldn't have impressed us.  As the Federal government we had out own set of laws and regulations.  Generic HR classes wouldn't help.