Would you choose HR again?

No. It has become a nightmare of legal, regulatory, and ER/LR issues. And besides mgmt, even Fortune 100 cos., choses not to listen to HR's suggestions for solutions in many cases. They must have "a seat at the table".

I would instead pursue law or the clergy since they help people, esp children and generally aren't impacted by market economics to the point of closing a business/church. Much more satsifying impact--the warm-and-fuzzies. Today's kids need advocacy and that's a need I could address gladly in either position.

Now you know the rest of the story...........

Yes, I would . Although my focus is on recruitment, it is a very important part of the HR department. Larger companies, especially, depend on their recruiters to properly screen a massive amount of resumes. I love recruiting and I miss it, having been laid off in 2/09.

Yes, working to provide individuals and organizations with tangible tools and techniques to help them grow and succeed is very satisfying.

Yes I would. I have always believed that the relationship between people in an organization and between "supplier" and "customer" to be the single most important catalyst for organizational sucess.
I think the relationship between true employee engagement and key performance metrics absolutely validates that. Aligned or "engaged" organizations outperform their peers and colleagues by substantial margins.
I understand Michael frustration on what HR has become in many organizations, but our role is to break that paradigm and create that alignment.
I have "progessed" through HR to executive management and into management consulting. It is my focus on the right people and creating alignment that has always facilitated my success.
If we look at where we are today HR has a huge opportunity to recast itself and be a significant partner. If we squander it then shame on us....

I think it's been an enlightening 25-year ride into the intricacies of balancing corporate resources strategy with human nature, but I'm not sure I would do it again. I think I could have foregone the effects of prolonged stress by being a meteorologist instead!

I think it's been an enlightening 25-year ride into the intricacies of balancing corporate resources strategy with human nature, but I'm not sure I would do it again. I think I could have foregone the effects of prolonged stress by being a meteorologist instead!

Having been through both tornadoes and earthquakes, I agree that those stressors are less hazardous (in general) to personal health than the HR trade. The expert witness testimony years just about killed me, like it had most of my predecessors, while tornadoes and earthquakes merely left me enthralled, fascinated, scared, impressed or all.

if i had a chance to actually choose something again, why would i at all be interested in doing the same thing i have been for the last 20 years? that has nothing to do with HR, though; i just think we should all pursue and be given the (real) opportunity to have a diversity of careers and experiences.

Knowing what I know now, if I were to choose HR I would approach it in a slightly different manner but I would have no problem going into the profession. Or maybe be a cowboy.

No I would have chosen to pursue my lifelong dream to be either a stand up comedian (presently do local amateur stuff) or to be a comedic actor!