Undergraduate Careers:
Organizational Behavior

A concentration in Organizational Behavior prepares you for a variety of career paths that typically require individuals to possess a thorough understanding of the complexities of business environments. Some careers require working as part of the managerial staff to resolve organizational issues, solve complex business problems as a management consultant, or relate to employees as a human resources professional. Individuals with expertise in a particular industry may be at an advantage; therefore, students often combine OB with another concentration.

Position Yourself for Success

Seek experiences or projects in which you perform tasks such as evaluating applicants, working as part of a team, presenting, selling, teaching, supervising, managing databases and organizing large amounts of paperwork and/or on-line documents. Learn about psychology, statistics, human resource policy and writing.
Companies usually hire as-needed for Human Resources positions, so be ready to interview close to or after graduation.
OB-related jobs exist in every industry, from law to healthcare to financial services to hospitality, so take the time to narrow your focus. What industry do you wish to enter?
Some large companies recruit OB graduates into rotational training programs in HR or general management. These are often very competitive, so prepare early!

Sample on-the-job Responsibilities*

Research materials and maintain database relevant to designing, implementing and monitoring executive compensation plans for the company's senior management teams.
Coordinate and conduct new hire orientation.
Conduct research to understand broad industry dynamics and organization-specific issues, including finance, compensation, corporate performance, and performance management.
Maintain/manage new employee files, training schedules, service awards and the employee referral program.
Pre-screen, track applicants, handle background checks and pull together new hire information.
Address, assign, and/or coordinate the appropriate Human Resource or University resource to address staff, student, and faculty inquiries, regarding benefits, payroll, consulting and staffing, and general directions.

*From posted positions targeting OB concentrators

Sample Entry Level Job Titles

Assignment or Identification Clerk
Assistant Business Analyst*
Consultant*
Financial Advisor*
Human Resources Assistant*
Interviewer
Management Consultant
Participant Services Specialist*
Payroll Administrator
Recruiting Assistant
Teacher*
Travel Planner*

* Denotes BU graduates from the classes of 2005, 2006 and 2007 with OB Concentrations

Sample list of employers of BU alums with a concentration in OB

American Express
BoozAllenHamilton
Circles
Ernst & Young
Forrester Research
Gimmill Ramatex
Grant Thornton
Mercer Human Resource Consulting
PTC
Teach for America

Career opportunities which often require additional experience
or education

Branch Manager
Consultant
Counselor
Employee Benefits Analyst
Employee Relations Director
Human Resource Manager
Lawyer
Personnel Manager
Public Relations Specialist
Trainer

Transferable Skills

Analytical
Communication
Negotiation
Relationship Building
Planning and organizing

Sample Professional Salaries*

Human Resources Assistant I: $31,114
Human Resources Generalist I: $44,227
Labor Relations Specialist I: $47,422
Recruiter I / Employment Representative: $41,527
Employee Relocation Representative: $42,243B Benefits Administrator I: $39,759
Compensation Analyst I: $48,624
Customer Service Trainer: $43,708

*From Salary.com national average base salary data, June 2007. Salaries may vary depending upon the region, size, and type of firm. Be sure to refer to a variety of sources when researching compensation.

Web Resources

Society for Human Resource Management: www.shrm.org
American Society for Training and Development: www.astd.org
International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans: www.ifebp.org
World at Work: www.worldatwork.org
American Society for Healthcare Human Resources Admin.: www.ashhra.org
Workforce Management: www.workforce.com
Human Resource Planning Society: www.hrps.org

For additional information and detailed descriptions of possible career options, please refer to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, www.bls.gov/oco:

Human Resources, Training, and Labor Relations Managers
Human Resources Assistants
Employment Services
Instructional Coordinators
Psychologists
Administrative Services Managers

Undergraduate Careers: Organizational Behavior