Pursuing a career in HR when you didn’t start there can feel intimidating, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. Here’s how I made the leap, what I’ve learned, and what I’d tell anyone else considering the jump.
The Long Way Around
When I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in Social Work back in 2005, I thought I knew exactly what kind of work I wanted to do. My first job out of college was as a Child Protective Service Worker, investigating allegations of abuse and neglect. It was important work, but incredibly difficult, and ultimately not something I could see myself doing long term.
From there, I explored a variety of roles, many still rooted in helping people in some way. One of the most formative experiences came while working at a career center supporting clients receiving TANF (Temporary Aid to Needy Families). I helped people rebuild their confidence and job skills as they re-entered the workforce. It was during that time I had my first real exposure to Human Resources – not as an abstract concept, but through real people working in HR departments at companies we were partnering with. I found myself curious about what they did and how they made decisions that shaped entire teams.
Eventually, after a winding path through several adjacent roles, I landed a position as a Training Coordinator at a large nonprofit. It was a brand-new position, part of the HR team, and I loved it. I finally got to see how HR worked from the inside: how the team supported employees, fostered development, and shaped organizational culture. I stayed for six years, growing the role and building new systems, but ultimately hit a ceiling. There just wasn’t room to grow anymore.
I made the decision to pivot back to a job that felt more aligned with my social work roots, hoping it would reignite that old spark. But I quickly realized what I actually missed was being part of an HR team. I missed being in a role that supported employees, helped people grow, and built healthy workplaces. That’s when I knew: HR was no longer just an interest. It was where I wanted to be.
Making the Shift
Once I realized HR was where I wanted to be, I got serious about making the transition. In March 2025, I started my Master’s in Human Resource Management. I also registered for the aPHR exam, an entry-level credential that helps show employers I’ve got the foundational knowledge needed to succeed in the field. I haven’t taken it yet, but it’s part of my plan.
Beyond the classroom, I’ve leaned heavily on the relationships I built during my time as a Training Manager. I’ve reconnected with my former boss and teammates, and their support has been incredibly encouraging. I also joined my local SHRM chapter and began attending meetings to meet others already working in HR. It’s been a helpful way to feel connected and build confidence during this in-between stage.
I’ve been applying to roles like HR Assistant, HR Coordinator, HR Generalist, and Training Specialist. I’m also exploring opportunities in Employee Relations, Benefits, Onboarding, and DEI, basically anywhere I can directly support employees and create a more thoughtful, inclusive workplace. One area I’m cautious about, though, is payroll. It’s not part of my background, and I know how critical it is to get right, so I’m honest with employers about wanting to focus on the parts of HR where I already bring value.
The good news? A lot of the skills I bring from my social work and facilitation background are exactly what’s needed in HR. From social work, I learned how to actively listen, manage sensitive conversations, document thoroughly, and meet people where they are, especially when emotions are high or the stakes are personal. As a group facilitator, I honed my ability to create psychologically safe spaces, manage group dynamics, and guide people toward shared understanding and collaboration. I’m used to leading discussions, building trust, reading the room, and knowing when to speak and when to let others lead.
These are skills that don’t always show up in a bullet point list, but they’re the heart of what makes someone effective in HR, especially in roles focused on training, onboarding, DEI, or employee experience. Add in a comfort with public speaking, adapting to different learning styles, and navigating systems and data with ease, and I feel well-prepared to take on this next chapter.
Lessons Along the Way
The road back to HR hasn’t been without its bumps. One of the biggest challenges has been dealing with rejection – getting those “thanks but no thanks” emails or, even worse, hearing nothing at all. It’s tough, especially when you know you bring value but it’s hard to capture that on a piece of paper. Translating my non-HR experience into language that resonates with hiring managers has been a learning process, and there are times I’ve felt like I was shouting into the void.
Another struggle? Not having a long resume of direct HR titles. I’ve done the work in different contexts, like training, coaching, DEI, documentation, but because the job titles didn’t say “HR,” I sometimes get overlooked. It’s frustrating, but I’ve been working on how to tell my story more clearly and confidently.
Interestingly, I’ve never really doubted my ability to do the work. If anything, the hardest part has been feeling like an outsider to certain academic or technical areas. I’ve especially found my Business Research course challenging: it’s not a topic that comes naturally to me, and that’s been humbling. Still, it’s all part of the process.
Looking back, I do wish I had pursued my aPHR or started my master’s program earlier. If I had taken that step while still in my Training Manager role, I might have stayed longer and built an even stronger foundation before making the leap. But hindsight is 20/20, and I’m proud of the progress I have made.
What’s kept me going is the support from the people around me. My family and friends have cheered me on every step of the way, and my former coworkers have gone above and beyond—offering references, answering questions, and encouraging me when I shared my plan to transition fully into HR. That kind of community makes all the difference.
Where I Am Now
Right now, I’m in the thick of it. Still actively job searching and interviewing while taking classes and studying for the aPHR exam. I’m also still working full time. Even though my current role isn’t in HR, there’s still a lot I can learn from it, and I’m doing my best to bring value to my team while continuing to move forward in my career transition.
Despite the juggling act, I’m genuinely proud of how far I’ve come. Going back to school for my Master’s in Human Resource Management has been a huge, long-held goal, and one that I wasn’t always sure I’d reach. I believe I’m the first in my family to pursue a master’s degree, and I made the honor roll in my very first term. That moment meant more than I can explain.
Of course, it’s a lot to balance. Between full-time work, school, and job applications, I’ve also been doing my best to make space for the things that matter most – spending time with my family, catching up with friends, and protecting my downtime when I need it. It’s not always easy, but I’ve learned that rest and connection are just as important as ambition when you’re working toward something big.
In the short term, I’m working toward sitting for the aPHR exam by October and keeping up my GPA as I work toward finishing my degree by September 2026. Longer term, my goal is to land an HR role where I can meaningfully support employees, whether that’s through building programs, helping with onboarding, offering guidance during tough moments, or creating better DEI practices. I want to be the kind of HR professional who helps people feel seen, supported, and valued at work. After graduation, I also hope to sit for the SHRM-CP and keep growing from there.
If You’re Thinking About Making the Leap
If you’re considering a transition into HR from a non-traditional background, my biggest advice is simple: go for it. Just try. It’s so easy to talk yourself out of it by telling yourself you’re too old, too busy, too deep into another career path. I’ve had those thoughts too. But if HR is something you’re drawn to, it’s worth exploring. You don’t need to have it all figured out on day one.
There’s no one-size-fits-all roadmap to breaking into this field, but there are some great resources. National SHRM is helpful, but I’ve found local SHRM chapters even more valuable. They give you access to real people in your community who are already doing the work. Don’t underestimate the power of your support network, either. The encouragement I’ve received from former coworkers, family, and friends has helped me stay grounded and motivated.
At the end of the day, I’m not on this path because I had some grand plan. I’m here because I want to make an impact in a field that supports people at work, and because I’m determined to earn my Master’s degree doing something that matters to me.
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