why are so many HR people of color?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about govt jobs like the US postal service in this area. Mostly AA. My observation only.

White yuppies are not looking to work for USPS or DC Metro or UPS or in HR, you can't afford to live in NW DC or any "acceptable" neighborhood with those jobs.

Idiotic post - plenty of GS-15 and SES HR folks alongside GS-15 and SES Legal folks in my neighborhood living in reasonable 800-1.2 m houses....

Sorry but that is not the norm for HR. Most technical jobs pay more than HR. Yes there are some here in fed jobs making the GS 15 but there are plenty in the GS-11-12 series. Then in private industry those jobs start around $45k-I know because I've applied to some of those jobs. The pay isn't up there with law,medicine and even accounting/finance.

You're insisting it is not true and yet offer no data--in point of fact federal employees in the 0200 series (HR) average higher salaries than those in IT (2200 series)....your turn...

Since you have the same access to Google as I have I will throw you this. Your circle of neighbors and friends does not account for overall industry knowledge. Let's remember that people in the DC region also work in private industry. There are many that visit this board from many regions and even 30-50 miles outside DC.

This is from the BLS--which is solid governmental data:
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/home.htm
The vast majority of tech people in agencies are actually contractors that work for the big firms like Lockheed, GD, etc. They actually do make more than the federal workers but are subject to layoffs if a contract ends.

Here are the salaries for HR professionals:
HR Specialists
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/human-resources-specialists.htm

HR Managers
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/human-resources-managers.htm

Now, if you want to get more into this know that there are more specialist than managers, then there are plenty of assistants and those lower end jobs pay less than comparable IT jobs. (especially starting out).

If the job paid so well then you would not see an abundance of women and minorities in the field. Money motivated people don't gravitate towards the HR profession, it is seen as a staff 'support' role-it does not drive the organizations bottom line. These positions are seen as expendable when a company needs to save money.

This may be the most racist post I have ever read....and wrong too...

The only profession with fewer and less prestigious college grads than HR is IT, good heavens....everyone knows this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are a lot in DC OP. There is an organization called NAAAHR...Natl Assn of Afr Am in HR...lots of powerful AA folks in DC...check it out online

Organizations with "national" in front where there is already a major recognized org are by definition AA centric. American academy of Dentists vs National association of Dentists.

[Anonymous]

Haven´t read the whole thread.

Is there something wrong with working an HR job? I live in Europe and am just wondering if it´s viewed as "bad" job in the US?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe other races feel they are better than a mediocre HR job.

Hey PP ^^^^^
You mean this wasn't racist?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about govt jobs like the US postal service in this area. Mostly AA. My observation only.

White yuppies are not looking to work for USPS or DC Metro or UPS or in HR, you can't afford to live in NW DC or any "acceptable" neighborhood with those jobs.

Idiotic post - plenty of GS-15 and SES HR folks alongside GS-15 and SES Legal folks in my neighborhood living in reasonable 800-1.2 m houses....

Sorry but that is not the norm for HR. Most technical jobs pay more than HR. Yes there are some here in fed jobs making the GS 15 but there are plenty in the GS-11-12 series. Then in private industry those jobs start around $45k-I know because I've applied to some of those jobs. The pay isn't up there with law,medicine and even accounting/finance.

You're insisting it is not true and yet offer no data--in point of fact federal employees in the 0200 series (HR) average higher salaries than those in IT (2200 series)....your turn...

Since you have the same access to Google as I have I will throw you this. Your circle of neighbors and friends does not account for overall industry knowledge. Let's remember that people in the DC region also work in private industry. There are many that visit this board from many regions and even 30-50 miles outside DC.

This is from the BLS--which is solid governmental data:
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/home.htm
The vast majority of tech people in agencies are actually contractors that work for the big firms like Lockheed, GD, etc. They actually do make more than the federal workers but are subject to layoffs if a contract ends.

Here are the salaries for HR professionals:
HR Specialists
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/human-resources-specialists.htm

HR Managers
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/human-resources-managers.htm

Now, if you want to get more into this know that there are more specialist than managers, then there are plenty of assistants and those lower end jobs pay less than comparable IT jobs. (especially starting out).

If the job paid so well then you would not see an abundance of women and minorities in the field. Money motivated people don't gravitate towards the HR profession, it is seen as a staff 'support' role-it does not drive the organizations bottom line. These positions are seen as expendable when a company needs to save money.

You're making a key mistake-HR in Government is very different from HR in the private sector...look at OPM data for IT versus HR

I really don't care about Federal HR jobs. Almost no one is getting hired unless you're a vet, plus Fed agencies don't have a ton of HR staff. Like I said before most IT people are contractors.
Show me a graph that compares the total number of HR staff to the total number of IT staff.

I'll admit I'm wrong if you have proof not anecdotal information.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about govt jobs like the US postal service in this area. Mostly AA. My observation only.

White yuppies are not looking to work for USPS or DC Metro or UPS or in HR, you can't afford to live in NW DC or any "acceptable" neighborhood with those jobs.

Idiotic post - plenty of GS-15 and SES HR folks alongside GS-15 and SES Legal folks in my neighborhood living in reasonable 800-1.2 m houses....

Sorry but that is not the norm for HR. Most technical jobs pay more than HR. Yes there are some here in fed jobs making the GS 15 but there are plenty in the GS-11-12 series. Then in private industry those jobs start around $45k-I know because I've applied to some of those jobs. The pay isn't up there with law,medicine and even accounting/finance.

You're insisting it is not true and yet offer no data--in point of fact federal employees in the 0200 series (HR) average higher salaries than those in IT (2200 series)....your turn...

Since you have the same access to Google as I have I will throw you this. Your circle of neighbors and friends does not account for overall industry knowledge. Let's remember that people in the DC region also work in private industry. There are many that visit this board from many regions and even 30-50 miles outside DC.

This is from the BLS--which is solid governmental data:
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/home.htm
The vast majority of tech people in agencies are actually contractors that work for the big firms like Lockheed, GD, etc. They actually do make more than the federal workers but are subject to layoffs if a contract ends.

Here are the salaries for HR professionals:
HR Specialists
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/human-resources-specialists.htm

HR Managers
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/human-resources-managers.htm

Now, if you want to get more into this know that there are more specialist than managers, then there are plenty of assistants and those lower end jobs pay less than comparable IT jobs. (especially starting out).

If the job paid so well then you would not see an abundance of women and minorities in the field. Money motivated people don't gravitate towards the HR profession, it is seen as a staff 'support' role-it does not drive the organizations bottom line. These positions are seen as expendable when a company needs to save money.

This may be the most racist post I have ever read....and wrong too...

Prove me wrong.


What woman/minority field has high salaries.
Provide proof or a link.

[Anonymous]

This thread is hilarious. Especially the white posters acting as if they have IQ's over 180, as someone who has worked in the public and private sector most of the white people I come in contact with would be scanning items at WalMart if it weren't for white privilege and nepotism.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread is hilarious. Especially the white posters acting as if they have IQ's over 180, as someone who has worked in the public and private sector most of the white people I come in contact with would be scanning items at WalMart if it weren't for white privilege and nepotism.

HR is indeed better than McDonald's, you smartypants

[Anonymous]

Weird! I have never had an HR person of color.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe other races feel they are better than a mediocre HR job.

Hey PP ^^^^^
You mean this wasn't racist?

Well it isn't revenue generating. Typically jobs are better in the us and pay more if they generate revenue for the company. After all, at the end of the day it is a business.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe other races feel they are better than a mediocre HR job.

Hey PP ^^^^^
You mean this wasn't racist?

Well it isn't revenue generating. Typically jobs are better in the us and pay more if they generate revenue for the company. After all, at the end of the day it is a business.

Feds aren't really worried about generating revenue though. It doesn't matter if you're an HR person, scientist, or analyst. Obviously revenue is an issue in the private sector but outside of DC the majority of HR personnel aren't minorities, but white people. I highly doubt you're going to find many minorities working in HR in West Virginia, North Dakota, and Nebraska. If you want to deal with white HR maybe you should move to one of those states.

[Anonymous]

I don't have an answer to OP's question, but wanted to post my general observations, being an AA woman and having worked in Federal HR for several years. I didn't perceive his/her post to be racist.

I didn't see this brought up, but I have noticed different areas of HR having different racial makeup (but still majority women). In my organization (Science-y federal agency), Benefits/Payroll is majority AA. Labor and Employee Relations (my area) is majority White. Compensation is majority White. Recruitment and Staffing is mixed. Of course, I agree that the demographics of the surrounding area play a role as well. My last agency's staffing division was located in Vermont, and all but one person in that branch were White.

In Labor and Employee Relations, at least half of my office (including me) has a Master's or JD. A third make 6 figures. I only know of one person in my office who worked her way up with a HS diploma. I can't speak to the private sector, though.

I'll admit that HR doesn't have the best reputation in terms of being perceived as value-added, but from personal experience, it's far from being the throwaway job a lot of people perceive it to be. I personally enjoy my work very much and find it challenging but rewarding (akin to management consulting). I will admit that I grew up poor, and a factor in my career decision is that I'm risk averse. Just my 2 cents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about govt jobs like the US postal service in this area. Mostly AA. My observation only.

White yuppies are not looking to work for USPS or DC Metro or UPS or in HR, you can't afford to live in NW DC or any "acceptable" neighborhood with those jobs.

Idiotic post - plenty of GS-15 and SES HR folks alongside GS-15 and SES Legal folks in my neighborhood living in reasonable 800-1.2 m houses....

Sorry but that is not the norm for HR. Most technical jobs pay more than HR. Yes there are some here in fed jobs making the GS 15 but there are plenty in the GS-11-12 series. Then in private industry those jobs start around $45k-I know because I've applied to some of those jobs. The pay isn't up there with law,medicine and even accounting/finance.

Agree with pp.
Plus those gs15 people bought at faaaaar less than 800-1.2. To have gotten to gs15 by now, they have at least x years of service, say 10-12 yrs, which means they bought when houses were 400k. Forget being just a college grad climbing up the gs ladder. With restrictions such as you have to wait 52 weeks to be eligible for a higher grade, having attained gs15 (esp to be on the higher step) means you put in long years. Even those with legal degrees start at just gs 11 or 12 and I can assure you they are not buying those 800-1.2 houses unless the other non fed spouse earns way more. gs 11 paid me $63k. Anyhow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about govt jobs like the US postal service in this area. Mostly AA. My observation only.

White yuppies are not looking to work for USPS or DC Metro or UPS or in HR, you can't afford to live in NW DC or any "acceptable" neighborhood with those jobs.

Idiotic post - plenty of GS-15 and SES HR folks alongside GS-15 and SES Legal folks in my neighborhood living in reasonable 800-1.2 m houses....

Sorry but that is not the norm for HR. Most technical jobs pay more than HR. Yes there are some here in fed jobs making the GS 15 but there are plenty in the GS-11-12 series. Then in private industry those jobs start around $45k-I know because I've applied to some of those jobs. The pay isn't up there with law,medicine and even accounting/finance.

Agree with pp.
Plus those gs15 people bought at faaaaar less than 800-1.2. To have gotten to gs15 by now, they have at least x years of service, say 10-12 yrs, which means they bought when houses were 400k. Forget being just a college grad climbing up the gs ladder. With restrictions such as you have to wait 52 weeks to be eligible for a higher grade, having attained gs15 (esp to be on the higher step) means you put in long years. Even those with legal degrees start at just gs 11 or 12 and I can assure you they are not buying those 800-1.2 houses unless the other non fed spouse earns way more. gs 11 paid me $63k. Anyhow.

Not sure what you're babbling about. 35% of my office (HQ DHS) is GS-15, and the average age is between 25-35.

I am a GS-14, age 29 and my husband is a GS-15 Director of HR. Combined we make $280,000. We both have masters and we saved and bought a 1.1 M house. It isn't that uncommon - most of our neighbors here in our NW neighborhood are GS-lawyers and staff...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about govt jobs like the US postal service in this area. Mostly AA. My observation only.

White yuppies are not looking to work for USPS or DC Metro or UPS or in HR, you can't afford to live in NW DC or any "acceptable" neighborhood with those jobs.

Idiotic post - plenty of GS-15 and SES HR folks alongside GS-15 and SES Legal folks in my neighborhood living in reasonable 800-1.2 m houses....

Sorry but that is not the norm for HR. Most technical jobs pay more than HR. Yes there are some here in fed jobs making the GS 15 but there are plenty in the GS-11-12 series. Then in private industry those jobs start around $45k-I know because I've applied to some of those jobs. The pay isn't up there with law,medicine and even accounting/finance.

Agree with pp.
Plus those gs15 people bought at faaaaar less than 800-1.2. To have gotten to gs15 by now, they have at least x years of service, say 10-12 yrs, which means they bought when houses were 400k. Forget being just a college grad climbing up the gs ladder. With restrictions such as you have to wait 52 weeks to be eligible for a higher grade, having attained gs15 (esp to be on the higher step) means you put in long years. Even those with legal degrees start at just gs 11 or 12 and I can assure you they are not buying those 800-1.2 houses unless the other non fed spouse earns way more. gs 11 paid me $63k. Anyhow.

Not sure what you're babbling about. 35% of my office (HQ DHS) is GS-15, and the average age is between 25-35.

I am a GS-14, age 29 and my husband is a GS-15 Director of HR. Combined we make $280,000. We both have masters and we saved and bought a 1.1 M house. It isn't that uncommon - most of our neighbors here in our NW neighborhood are GS-lawyers and staff...

Same here, except we're both 14s....