Careers options available after doing specialization in Organizational Behavior

Careers options available after doing specialization in Organizational Behavior

 

Organizational Behavior is field of study that investigates the impact that individuals, groups and structure have on behavior within organization. The behavior of individual and groups in an organization directly affects the success of the organization.It is the study and application of knowledge about how people act within organizations. Knowledge of human behavior, psychology and business is critical in helping people lead productive lives and contribute to the achievement of organizational goals and objectives. The Bachelor of Science with a major in Organizational Behavior provides a solid foundation for applying knowledge to the workplace and increasing the effectiveness of both individuals and work teams. Some of the potential career paths in the field of Organizational Behavior are:

Human Resource Professionals: Many graduates of organizational behavior degree programs go on to fill management-level positions in human resources. These positions are available in a multitude of industries in the private and public sectors. As a human resource manager, one must ensure that the employees receive  proper compensation and benefits, oversee workplace safety, direct the maintenance of employee records, and manage overall employee hiring, evaluation and labor relations. They also develop, implement and oversee training programs or procedures. HR managers must stay up-to-date with policies that govern employee rights, such as equal opportunity employment and sexual harassment. These professionals work full-time in an office setting, although travel might be required for meetings or recruiting events.

Management Analysts: Management analysts, or management consultants, advise organizations on how to improve their profit, performance and efficiency. Some consultants focus specifically on organizational behavior or organization development and specialize in the human aspect of business including change management, improving productivity and human capital development. They provide an external, objective assessment of an organization and develop strategic recommendations to improve. This career requires a mix of analytic, creative and problem solving abilities, as well as strong communication, interpersonal and time-management skills. The job outlook for management analysts is promising. Employment is expected to grow 22 percent between 2010 and 2020, outpacing the average growth rate of all occupations. In 2010, close to 23 percent of management analysts were self-employed.

Training and Development Managers: Some graduates also become training and development managers whose major tasks are to identify, plan and implement initiatives to increase employees’ knowledge and/or aptitude to do their jobs. This is essential to ensure a company remains competitive, keeps employees engaged and reduces attrition. Although not required, most employers prefer that individuals in this area earn a Master’s degree and have experience in the industry in which they train others. It is also important to have critical-thinking skills necessary to assess and improve the training needs of a company.

Labor relations manager: The labor relations manager is responsible for negotiating agreements between a company and a labor organization or individual employees. He or she researches labor law, bargaining procedures, economic data, and wage data common for careers, industries, and states. The items handled in negotiations include union practices, pensions, healthcare, welfare, salary, and grievances. Labor relations managers also help to resolve disputes, complaints, and strikes. They may work with mediators and arbitrators to determine the conditions of new labor agreements.

Also graduates can find successful careers in a wide array of industries and environments, working in the areas of human resources, information technology, organization development, nonprofit management, consulting, training, and other fields.