Five Professional Organizations for Human Resources

Professional Organizations for Human Resources

• American Payroll Association
• The National Human Resources Association
• Human Resources People and Strategy
• The National Association of African Americans in Human Resources
• National Association of Human Resources Consultants

Joining an association geared towards the work life of a human resources professional will provide numerous benefits for the person involved. There are opportunities to connect with other professionals in the industry and gain a higher education through resources the organization has for its members.

American Payroll Association

HR professionals will also have a hand in payroll. This association was founded in 1982 to give HR professionals training and education on the changing world of payroll. Their mission statement promises to support the payroll professional through education on employment issues, and to represent the professional in government from federal to local. They provide certification opportunities with a Fundamental Payroll Certification and Certified Payroll Professional education. There's also a library of publications, training courses and annual conferences for members.

The National Human Resources Association

Members of the association can attend meetings to build a resource network with other professionals. When an HR professional has a network of peers for support they're able to advance in their careers. This organization prides itself on the professional development programs available for members. There are live meetings that are free of sales pitches by the speakers as well as the other people attending. The association encourages roles in leadership within the members' communities too. There are local meetings and national webinar opportunities in which members can participate.

Human Resources People and Strategy

There are many benefits to joining HRPS. Members are able to stay current with the latest practices as well as changing rules in the world of human resources. The organization's site has white papers, blog posts and webinars designed to provide information and learning opportunities for the members. There's an executive bookshelf where members can read a popular business book each month. They offer discount programs for their annual conference and leadership program. The forum, annual conference and LinkedIn community provide benefits for those looking to network.

The National Association of African Americans in Human Resources

The NAAAHR has chapters and groups across the U.S. from Los Angeles to New York to Atlanta that serves its members. There's a special Collegiate Network for students who are pursuing an HR career. The program provides support, mentorship and networking opportunities for the students involved in the group. The organization has webinars, seminars and conferences that should be of high value to those African Americans in the HR community.

National Association of Human Resources Consultants

For some students leaving college, they want to help as many businesses as possible with their HR concerns. The NAHRC is an organization geared towards providing education and training to those who want to support the HR departments of various companies as a consultant. These individuals will travel to companies and evaluate their compliance with various regulations from EEOC or OFCCP. They'll test and assess hiring practices as well as training and promotion practices within the target company. To that end, the NAHRC has their own training, which involves webinars, inclusion in a professional directory and certification. Along with the training and certification, there are related products and services that members will be able to access.

While there are national and regional associations to join that have tremendous benefits to the HR professional, local associations and organizations shouldn't be forgotten. Organizations are a terrific way to meet others in the field, network and build a supportive environment for themselves.

Related Resources: The 25 Best Online Masters in Human Resources Programs