Human Resources

Anyone who enjoys working with people, communicating with empathy and actively supporting change will find an ideal field of work in HR. Prof. Dr Thomas Fritz, Prof. Dr Sarah Maihaus and Prof. Dr Matthias Weßling show how diverse HR work is - from recruiting and development to management consulting. Personal flair, the ability to deal with conflict and openness to new ideas are just as important here as numeracy and organisational talent. Graduate Nadine Knapp provides an insight into the field of personnel development and employer branding.

What is the occupational field of human resources generally about?

The occupational field of HR is all about people. It's about finding the right talent, supporting them and helping them to realise their full potential within the company. At the same time, we create structures and processes that make collaboration and success possible.

What different occupational fields are there and what specific tasks are involved?

There are many exciting areas:

• Recruiting: finding and inspiring talent.
• Personnel development: supporting employees in their careers.
• Labour law: drafting contracts and legal frameworks.
• HR analytics: using data to make better decisions.
• Change management: supporting companies in change processes.

What does a career start in HR usually look like?

Career entry often takes the form of practical training, a working student job or a trainee programme. This gives you a broad insight and allows you to quickly take on responsibility.

How can you develop further in the occupational fields?

Further training is essential in HR. Additional qualifications in areas such as coaching, HR analytics or labour law are helpful. Specialisations or management positions are also possible.

What is the current state of the HR labour market?

The demand for qualified HR specialists is high. Topics such as digitalisation, new work and sustainability are creating exciting new fields of work.

What salary do you usually start with and what developments are possible?

Depending on the industry and company, newcomers can expect an annual salary of 40,000 to 50,000 euros gross. With experience, significantly higher salary levels are achievable, especially in management roles.

What qualifications and skills are necessary to be successful in this occupational field?

Important qualifications are a sound knowledge of HR processes, strong communication skills and empathy. Skills such as analytical thinking, problem-solving expertise and digital affinity are becoming increasingly important.

What compulsory foundation modules do we have at the faculties in the field of HR?

The foundation module at our faculty is "Human Resources & Organisation" in the first semester.

Which specialisations can I choose?

Our specialisation offer is very diverse and includes, for example, the courses "Processes in Personnel Management", "Performance Management and Compensation" and "International Management Training". In addition, specialisations such as "Development programme for junior managers" and "Project management" can be useful.

Are there any modules from other areas that you would also recommend in order to be successful in the occupational fields?

I recommend modules from the areas of digitalisation and data analysis, as these skills are becoming increasingly important in HR. The specialisation in "Labour Law" is a little closer to the subject, which is also very useful.

Are there any current developments in the occupational field that have an influence on the occupational fields?

Definitely! Topics such as artificial intelligence, automation and hybrid working are shaping the future of HR management. They not only offer challenges, but also great opportunities for innovation.