In addition to the tasks on Alfreda’s list there are a few other things one might get involved in: compensation, organizational development, organizational change, and labor relations. If you’re interested in the field, there are a number of institutions where you can get an advanced degree in it.
One big con ia that in far too many organizations, they shipped all the incompetent people to personnel. So HR departments can have a bad reputation. On the flip side of that, if you’r good, you can show how a good HR department really has a positive impact on the organization’s bottom line.
I think it’s an excellent place to go if you are interested in improving the way an organization works. You can help improve employment policies (many organizations act as if this is still the 19th century). You can help plan for a changing workforce (Baby Boomers giving way to Gen X, Gen Y, and even younger folks) which has significantly different expectations out of work compared to each other.
HR can also be involved in community relations, developing programs to hire local people, and make sure they have a good career path within the organization. This can involve the use of research, and statistical expertise. Having some organizing experience can be good in these kinds of jobs. Hmmm. There are a lot of former teachers who go into HR. I guess if you can handle kids, and get them focused and on task, you’ll be able to do it with adults, too. Unless, of course, the union situation sucks.