Jim Schreier ⋅ Milwaukee, WI 212 Leadership/Career Coaching ⋅ 50 years experience

I taught an HR Certification Prep Course for 10+ years with (at the time) the highest pass rates nationally every year. I focused 1) on the content (not current event stories) with examples directly tied to the material. More importantly for your question, every class session included time for the practice quizzes and clarification of any questions students had from their quiz results. At one point I even had a complete set of alternative practice quizzes to give students even more opportunities to "practice-practice-practice"

Jeff Martin ⋅ Ashburn, VA The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System ⋅ 25 years experience

The best study approach really comes down to your preference and learning style. You can join a study group if you find the group dynamic helpful and productive or you can buy a study guide book and do self study and practice tests. I did the latter and found it pretty easy, but that was the approach that best fit my learning style.

Regarding advancement, I’d recommend you think about a specialist track versus a generalist track. Career advancement in the specialist track typically requires deep and narrow focus while the generalist track requires more adaptability, relationships skills and risk tolerance. Talk to people who do both types of HR work and learn as much as you can about each, then look in the mirror and decide which work style is best suited for you. Good luck!

FRANCIS TEPEDINO, ESQ. ⋅ San Diego, CA THE CONDOR GROUP ⋅ 30 years experience

Hello Rebecca: Just how serious are you? Do you want to just get a job in H.R. or run H.R. for a major corporation? If just a job: That is fine with a degree in H.R, and perhaps some graduate studies.

If you really want a very senior position in H.R. think abut Law School after your B.S. My 40 years plus in, and consulting with, major corporations tells me that the very senior positions, (e.g.: Vice President), in this field now require a Law Degree. Take a look at your local papers regarding the massive and never ending lawsuits by employees, and former employees. against major corporations. I can say from experience that the corporations typically lose the lawsuits, (the juries are, after all, typically comprised of "workers" and not "corporate executives"). Let me know if I can answer any questions or provide additional advice. Good luck.

Rebecca Stevens ⋅ Clarksville, TN U.S. Army, Specialist ⋅ 5 years served

I am more interested in smaller corporations and state positions. I'm not as interested in large corporate jobs but that could change throughout my studies.
Thank you for that insightful information. It has given me a lot to think about; I really appreciate you putting that into perspective.
Becca