Human Resources Professionals
Formal Description
“Human resources professionals develop, implement and evaluate human resources and labour relations policies, programs and procedures and advise employers and employees on human resources matters. They are employed throughout the private and public sectors, or they may be self-employed.” (NOC 2021)
Sample Job Titles
This category includes a variety of job titles that may not necessarily be reflected by the category title. For a full index of job titles, see the category entry on the ESDC site. Example job titles include:
Benefits Coordinator
Certified Disability Management Professional
Collective Agreement Negotiator
Compensation Research Analyst
Disability Case Manager - HR
Employee Relations Officer
Employment Equity Coordinator
Human Resources Generalist
Job and Wage Analyst
Labour Organization Negotiator
Staff Training Cooridinator
Union Advisor
Typical Employment and Education Requirements
The requirements listed for each occupational category will tend to vary across particular roles, job titles, and contexts. {This text can be swapped to either column for balance.}
The following typical requirements are listed on the ESDC’s 2021 entry for this occupational category:
- “A university degree or college diploma in human resources management or a related field, such as business administration, industrial relations, commerce or psychology or completion of a professional development program in human resources administration is required.”
- “Some employers may require human resources professionals to hold a Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) designation.”
Success with a Social Sciences Undergraduate Degree and Beyond
When reviewing typical requirements, please remember:
- Degree and diploma listings often end with a purposefully open-ended phrase (“or a related field”, “or a similar discipline”) that acknowledges the variety and applicability of social sciences and liberal arts degrees.
- Employers often focus less on the name or title of a candidate’s degree, and more on how they articulate their transferable skills and experiences.
- Many qualifications and certifications are available as post-graduate certificates aimed at recent university graduates; these can make an excellent further education option for a social sciences or liberal arts degree.
Related Sectors
Whereas Economic and Social Development Canada’s ‘occupational’ categories tend to focus more on the duties and functions that people play in specific roles, exploring careers by ‘sectors’ helps us to sort by employer type, industry, or general field of work. Here are just a few of the sectors that may be relevant to this category:
Academic Program Connections
As you select your program of study and the courses you will take, you can chart a path towards success in this sector from any one of our social sciences departments and programs. Here are just a few examples of academic disciplines that have connections with this sector:
Anthropology Learn More
Using anthropological insights in HR can help create a workplace that values diversity, enhances communication, and boosts employee satisfaction, ultimately leading to organizational success.
Society, Culture & Religion Learn More
Studying society, culture and religion enriches student’s ability to communicate effectively in diverse contexts such as hiring, navigating religious accommodations, employee retention and belonging.
Sociology Learn More
Learning social behaviour, group dynamics, and organizational structures helps to understand employees, create effective policies, and navigate workplace challenges.
Work & Labour Studies Learn More
A degree in Work & Labour Studies can greatly improve a career in HR by providing an understanding of labour markets, employment relations, workplace dynamics, and worker policies.
