Human Resources
Delve into the psychology of the workplace. Master your career and on-the-job mentoring skills. Crack the payscale code to determine who gets paid more and why. These opportunities and more are available when you choose human resources in the Edwards School of Business at the University of Saskatchewan.
What is Human Resources?
Human Resources (HR) refers to how people are managed by organizations. The field has moved from a traditionally administrative function to a strategic one that recognizes the link between talented and engaged people and organizational success. Human resources deals with areas including hiring, training, salaries and benefits, health and safety, and termination. No matter the organization you choose, or what your job is, human resource management skills—people skills—will be essential ingredients for success.
A Major in Human Resources
The human resources major is designed to provide students with the knowledge necessary for them to succeed as human resource professionals.
Here are a few of the concerns of the human resource specialist:
- How can a firm attract, engage and retain the right employees?
- On what basis should one employee be paid more than another?
- How should a manager give feedback to employees about their performance?
- How should an employer deal with unions?
- What are the legal constraints in how managers deal with employees?
- How should an organization be structured to maximize its likelihood of success?
These issues are so important that they may determine the fate of the organization, and the human resources major prepares students to handle these decisions wisely and professionally.
Human resources is one of six majors students can choose within the Bachelor of Commerce degree program. Students choose a major in second year, and access to the human resources major is based on academic performance. The average to be admitted to this major has ranged from 65% to 70% in recent years.
I chose the HR major because I wanted to work with people. What I found really interesting was the variety in the major. There are so many different paths you can take; the opportunities are truly endless!
—Cindy Zuk, human resources student
Career Opportunities
Students who major in human resources may continue their professional development with careers in the following areas:
- recruitment
- selection and hiring
- training and development
- labour/industrial relations
- employee benefit programs
- compensation and appraisal planning
A Stepping Stone
Students can attain a professional designation after completing their undergraduate business degree. The
Certified Human Resource Professional (CHRP) designation is a nationally recognized level of achievement within the field of human resources. It reflects a conviction that the professional practice of human resource management can safeguard the interest of employers, employees and the general public.
The U of S Advantage
Business Co-operative Education Program
Co-op education allows you to take what you've learned in the classroom and apply it in real life work situations.
The Cameco Business Co-operative Education Program provides students with eight months of relevant work experience and the opportunity to develop relationships with influential business contacts. You will also receive coaching and skill-building sessions in the areas of networking, etiquette and interview success prior to going out on your co-op term.
Third year students from all majors are welcome to apply. The number of participants and companies continues to grow every year, with the ultimate goal of being able to accommodate up to 200 students.
Career Development Goodspeed Career Services manages the co-op program and offers many career development services exclusive to Edwards School of Business students.
Get Involved!
Human Resource Management Students' Society
The
Human Resource Management Students' Society (HRMSS) is a student-run organization under the umbrella of the
Edwards Business Students' Society. They provide students with valuable networking opportunities and social events in an effort to bridge the gap between the academic and professional worlds.
Saskatchewan Association of Human Resource Professionals Students can apply for membership to the
Saskatchewan Association of Human Resource Professionals (SAHRP), which promotes and encourages leadership and expertise amongst human resource practitioners in all functional areas of HR, through provincial networks and developmental opportunities, while supporting professional standards to influence organizational excellence.
JDC West Human resources students have the opportunity to participate in the JDC (Jeux du Commerce) West Business Competition or informally, JDC West, which is the largest undergraduate business competition featuring top business schools and students from across Western Canada.
SIFE Saskatchewan Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) Saskatchewan is a non-profit student organization that develops impactful economic development programs. They are an affiliate of the national organization
Advancing Canadian Entrepreneurship (ACE) and the international
SIFE organization .
AIESEC AIESEC (Association Internationale des Étudiants en Sciences Économiques et Commerciales), the world's largest student-run organization, is an international platform for young people to discover and develop their potential to have a positive impact on society. Through active participation in internship programs and national conferences, students have the opportunity to develop their professional skills and develop an international perspective while making many friends and memories. Student members have an opportunity to network with alumni and business partners, and become global citizens.
Sample Courses
The human resources major includes courses from a variety of areas including leadership, employment and labour law, and compensation.
- Comm 342 - Organization Structure and Design - provides an understanding of the theory, research and managerial choices relevant in structuring, designing and maintaining effective organizations.
- Comm 348 - Leadership - examines theories, research and issues related to leadership in organizations and encourages self-assessment of leadership qualities.
- Comm 382 - Employment Law - deals with four major statutes and public policies comprising employment law: Employment Standards, Human Rights, Occupational Health and Safety, and Workers' Compensation legislation.
- Comm 488 - Compensation - deals with compensation theory and practice. The course's primary focus is a major project involving students in designing a compensation plan for an organization.
Admission Requirements
The following is a list of high school subjects required for admission. Please select the province/territory where you completed high school.
Additional Information
Related Interests
If you are interested in Human Resources,
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