Human resources is the current name for what was previously called "Personnel." It is the organizational function concerned with the people who work in the organization. It includes such activities as recruitment and selection, compensation and benefits, training, labor relations, equal employment opportunity, performance appraisal, and safety. It would be of interest to students in diverse majors, including management, industrial relations, and psychology.

The Society for Human Resources Management is a professional organization that is dedicated to helping individuals develop valuable leadership and organizational skills. SHRM, the leading voice of HR professions, represents 80,000 professional and 7,000 student members from more than 400 professional and 200 student chapters. SHRM provides its members with government and media representation, education, and information.