Key takeaways
- Colleges with human resources degrees in Illinois teach students to handle recruitment, onboarding, training, performance management, benefits and compensation, worker relations, labor laws, etc.
- Since they must maintain a positive environment, HR professionals must have creativity, problem-solving, effective communication, and leadership skills.
- Before shortlisting colleges, students must research colleges regarding courses, college environment, accommodation, and financial assistance.
- Confidentiality of data is a strict requirement for the HR department to avoid external and internal issues.
- Renowned colleges for HR in Illinois are the University of Illinois Chicago, Loyola University, Harper College, Northeastern Illinois University, Bradley University, Western Illinois University, and Moraine Valley Community College.
- Human resources courses include human resource staffing, strategic compensation management, leading organizations, managerial decision-making, and employment law.
- Loyola University is associated with SHRM, or the Society for Human Resources Management, to provide students with exceptional knowledge.
- Western Illinois University offers the human resources degree online for students who want to work or travel while studying.
- Most colleges in Illinois provide financial assistance to deserving students; however, financial aid can vary from college to college.
- Try visiting the campus and asking current students about the college – it will help you get a better idea!
Do you know that human resources jobs are expected to rise in demand? The rationale behind the demand for HR professionals is several companies are into healthy workplace environments. Colleges with human resources degrees in Illinois assist students with skills to become successful professionals.
If you want to learn about an HR undergraduate degree, you have come to the right place! In this blog, we will understand the basics of human resources and discuss the responsibilities of HR professionals. Moreover, I will shed light on how to shortlist a college and the list of colleges offering a human resources degree in Illinois. So, let’s begin!
A brief explanation of human resources (HR)
A human resources department maintains a workplace environment. Do you like communicating and working with people? Are you into solving conflicts? If that is the case, you must look into colleges with human resources degrees in Illinois!
Human resources professionals have several operations concerning recruitment, benefits and compensation, labor laws, etc. HR workers must possess communication and problem-solving skills to cater to the issues raised by employees. Since they must maintain a positive environment, HR professionals must have creativity and leadership skills. Activities increase motivation and boost employee morale, productivity, and profitability. That is why organizations require human resources professionals.
Understanding the responsibilities of HR professionals
The tasks assigned to human resources workers can vary depending on the type and size of the organization. The basic responsibilities are hiring employees, imposing labor policies, resolving employee conflicts, and maintaining a positive work environment.
Below is a list of tasks assigned to human resources workers in detail:
Recruitment
Can a company manage without employees? No. The human resource department is responsible for hiring new employees. And that is not easy. HR must create a job description before promoting it on various platforms, like LinkedIn. The job description includes information about tasks, experience, salary range, etc. They have to check multiple resumes and shortlist relevant profiles. After the shortlisting process, HR must schedule and conduct interviews.
Onboarding
Following the interview, human resources professionals must create relevant documents for the new employee, like the appointment letter. This process includes getting signatures on the appointment letter, and other documents. They must inform new employees about the company’s objectives, rules and regulations, culture, benefits, etc. Some HR workers create presentations while some speak to them for 5 minutes.
Training
To help employees grow personally and professionally, human resources workers must conduct training sessions or have employees attend sessions elsewhere. Sessions on hygiene or about their department can enhance skills and result in improved productivity.
Moreover, workers feel better when they possess relevant skills and know the latest trends, helping them succeed and grow. Training and development sessions also help employees get promoted within an organization.
Performance management
The human resource department plays a crucial role in analyzing and improving the performance levels of employees. For effective performance management, HR must form a file so that managers can provide effective feedback to employees for better work output. In this document, managers and employees can discuss plans concerning work, performance, and raises.
Compensation and benefits
Human resources professionals are responsible for employee compensation and benefits. Examples include salaries, wages, stipends, bonuses, retirement, insurance, allowances, etc. Although the accounting department oversees payroll, HR manages the system concerning raises. Also, they must ensure employees receive fair wages and benefits on time.
Worker relations
Are you not satisfied with your job? Are the tasks getting too monotonous? Did you get into a conflict with another worker? Is there no source of entertainment at work? Don’t worry because HR has got you! The human resources department resolves conflicts of organizations in whatever capacity. They think of solutions to internal and external issues concerning employees and organizations.
Problems could be of different kinds like sexual harassment, bullying, legal issues, etc. Hence, to maintain a healthy environment HR workers must ensure relevant policies are followed. Such skills are deeply embedded within students during an undergraduate HR program.
Planning and development
A stagnant company can get nowhere. Therefore, human resource professionals create new techniques to help a firm grow. HR workers must possess relevant skills and qualities of organizational development and planning.
Colleges with human resources degrees in Illinois assist students with the required knowledge for concepts’ implementation. Ways to develop organizations include forming new departments and employee roles. Also, it is crucial to ensure whether new techniques resonate with the organization’s objectives.
Role of technology
With the increasing use of technology, several human resources responsibilities are manageable through software apps. HR uses technology and software for admin tasks, etc. Hence, professionals must know the latest technology and how to use software. With the help of technology, human resources workers can manage other strategic tasks, such as managing employee performance levels.
What are the factors to consider while choosing colleges with human resources degrees in Illinois?
The college selection procedure can be confusing and time-consuming. Several aspects must be analyzed, like tuition fees, student life, accommodation, etc. However, you should not worry. The below tips and tricks will help you find the ideal college for you:
Research
Students must research various factors concerning colleges, like scholarships, clubs and societies, campus life, accommodation, food, counseling services, etc. After reading about colleges, you must compare and contrast between colleges and select the ideal one.
Courses
It is integral to choose a course of your liking. Several students get pressured by friends and family into choosing a program that does not interest them. Please avoid making the same mistake. Read about different courses and decide on the one that sparks your interest. There may be a program you might have not heard of so checking college websites always helps find the right fit.
If you enjoy communicating with people, conducting activities, and helping people and organizations grow, then human resources management is the program for you! Colleges with human resources degrees deeply entrench HR knowledge and help students evolve professionally and personally.
College environment
When deciding where you want to spend 3-4 years of your life, it is crucial to consider the kind of facilities the college offers. Check the clubs and societies of a college, like music, theatre, football, arts, environment sustainability, etc. Visit the college campus and ask current students about everything. Studying can become burdensome; hence clubs and societies assist students stay sane during tough times.
What are the qualities of a successful HR professional?
Successful human resources professionals possess skills concerning communication, problem-solving, decision-making, leadership, etc. Colleges with human resources degrees deeply embed relevant skills within students for greater success in the professional world.
The following list discusses a few integral traits that HR workers must possess for increased efficiency:
Communication skills
If you opt for a human resources management program, you must possess effective communication skills. HR is about talking to people, like resolving employee conflicts, conducting interviews, etc. You must have heard of the adage: communication is key. That is because through communication people get their word across without beating around the bush. Several conflicts can be avoided through effective communication among employees. Therefore, to run an organization smoothly, HR must ensure employees from different departments are on the same page.
Problem-solving skills
An organization can’t possess any problems whatsoever. That is where human resources workers play a significant role. Conflicts may arise among employees; hence HR professionals must think of potential solutions to problems and solve them. Through a degree in human resources, students can attain knowledge about problem-solving. With the help of a degree and work experience, HR workers can polish problem-solving skills and become efficient at their jobs.
Empathy and kindness
It is highly likely to come across sensitive situations at work. Dealing with such matters can be difficult, hence it is important to be as understanding as possible. Moreover, employees must feel safe and secure around HR professionals so they can share sensitive information without hesitation. Examples of sensitive info can be regarding harassment or abuse of any sort. You may even have to listen to employees’ concerns; therefore, HR workers must be patient and kind!
Ethics
HR professionals must maintain organization and employee confidentiality. The reason for that is because human resources professionals possess important data that cannot be compromised. Hence, confidentiality of data is a strict requirement for the HR department to avoid external and internal issues. Also, HR must inform employees about security and confidentiality to maintain safety levels.
List of colleges offering human resources degrees in Illinois
With several colleges with human resources degrees in Illinois, it can be tricky to shortlist one. However, students should not stress about it. The below list of colleges is helpful for students confused about colleges with human resource degrees in Illinois:
University of Illinois Chicago – BS in human resource management
At the University of Illinois Chicago, students acquire knowledge concerning recruitment, compensation, diversity, etc., through courses like employment recruitment and selection, organizational behavior, etc.
Professors stress organizational concepts to embed information about HR within students that help them grow professionally. They also learn about the significance of technology, managerial control systems, and various structures to improve organizations.
Most importantly, the University of Illinois Chicago provides students with grants, scholarships, loans, and student employment to reduce the tuition fee.
Loyola University – BBA in human resource management
The human resource management program at Loyola University helps students become socially aware and responsible for navigating HR issues effectively. They are associated with SHRM, or the Society for Human Resources Management, to provide students with exceptional knowledge.
The reputable professors teach courses like human resource staffing, compensation management, and global HR and organizational behavior to instill interpersonal skills theories and concepts regarding diversity, compensation, and employee relations.
Students can expect job opportunities like labor relations specialist and training and development manager. Moreover, federal loans and various financial resources decrease the tuition fee considerably!
Harper College – Bachelor’s in human resource management
Harper College’s HR program creates professionally and personally aware students for the real world. The renowned faculty members teach courses like employment techniques and strategic compensation management with the help of projects and cases to create efficient HR professionals.
With the help of SHRM’s affiliation, students at Harper College must not worry about the quality of education. Through networking events, sessions, and workshops, students gain knowledge and learn innumerable skills concerning human resources. They also offer student employment, scholarships, loans, etc., to reduce the financial burden on students.
Northeastern Illinois University – B.A. in human resource development
The human resource development degree offered by Northeastern Illinois University helps students become aware of how organizations are run smoothly. Students become acquainted with knowledge concerning training, technology, cultural requirements, diversity, etc.
Moreover, they have a wide range of courses like dynamics of working with groups and individuals, communication and human resource development, and designing instruction in human resource development. Don’t they sound intriguing? Also, if you cannot afford the tuition fee, do not overthink it because they provide students with loans, scholarships, etc.
Bradley University – Concentration in human management
With the human management program at Bradley University, students learn about human resource roles. The faculty members at Bradley University prepare students for a successful career through courses like leading organizations, managerial decision-making, and employment law.
Bradley University’s graduates have received job offers from places like Aon Hewitt and Accenture. That is because students network through SHRM and other organizations. Moreover, they offer federal loans, scholarships, and student employment to make the tuition fee affordable for underprivileged students.
Western Illinois University – Bachelor of Business in human resource management
Students can study the human resource management program online at Western Illinois University. Reasons to opt for this university are study abroad programs, affiliation with SHRM and AACSB, multiple career fairs, and internship opportunities from renowned companies. Research the differences between online and traditional colleges for more info.
Through the program, students acquire skills and knowledge concerning recruitment, staffing, compensation management, organizational behavior, etc. Plus, the university offers various scholarships and aid for students who cannot afford the tuition fee.
Moraine Valley Community College – Human resources management
The human resources management degree at Moraine Valley Community College equips students with communication skills and knowledge about maintaining organizations, training, staffing, etc. You must opt for this program to enhance your skills. Faculty members of Moraine Valley Community College emphasize traits like staff development and training; if you are inclined towards them, this is the degree for you! Additionally, the university understands students’ situations and offers financial aid and scholarships!
Improve your professional and personal skills through colleges with human resources degrees in Illinois!
If your interest has been piqued after reading this article, you must check colleges with human resources degrees in Illinois, and universities in New Jersey, Alaska, and North Dakota. Illinois has several options from which you can choose, like Western Illinois University, Northeastern Illinois University, and Harper College.
Research trends and data like student life, accommodation, tuition fees, and clubs before choosing an undergraduate HR college. Such factors can give you a better idea about the college that resonates with you. Moreover, a great idea would be to visit the campus and ask students about the college, which can help you get a better idea.