Human Resource Specialists

I. JOB SUMMARY

Main Topic: Human Geography
Secondary Topic: Places and Regions

Overview: Human resources specialist help companies recruit, screen, and place workers. They must work closely with businesses to identify needs and find people who will fit those needs. While a degree in human resources or business is typical, individuals with a background in geography would work well in this field especially with expertise in qualitative methods. Geographers would do well as recruitment specialists, or headhunters, through understanding the businesses they are working with and the demographics of the area they are recruiting. They will find, screen, and interview applicants going to job fairs and colleges for recruitment. Human resources specialist will need to understand federal, state, and local laws for employment. This field is expected to grow in the coming decade.

Geographers at work: Human geographers, Business geographers

Recommended College Courses: Introduction to Cultural Geography, Research Methods in Geography, Economic Geography, Urban Geography, Political Geography, World Population, American Ethnic Geography

Skills: Qualitative methods, Human resource management, Working with census data, Local geography knowledge

Occupation Group: Business and Financial

Learn more about Human Resource Specialists from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Labor: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/human-resources-specialists.htm