A change of plans isn’t always a bad thing—just ask Pittsburgh native Kelsey Riemer.
In 2024, Riemer graduated from West Virginia University with majors in psychology and communication studies and a minor in general business administration. However, the idea of committing to a long and uncertain career path left her scrambling to figure out what came next.
That’s when Riemer discovered the Master of Science in Industrial Relations and Human Resources (MSIRHR) program.
“The first time that I heard about the program was when I went to a required panel for one of the classes I took for my business minor,” Riemer said. “The panel I chose was made up of HR professionals presenting what a day in their life looked like. Sitting in on the event was MSIRHR recruiter, Aaron Rose, and after the panel, he talked to me about what the future could look like.”
With newfound interest, Riemer began to do some research.
“The numbers spoke for themselves. I saw that the starting salary was in the $85K range, which is huge, but even beyond the salary, the placement rate was 93% for a program that only took a year to complete.”
Riemer realized that this path would allow her to use the skills from her undergraduate majors in a way she could never have planned. The MSIRHR program is designed specifically for students like Riemer who may have obtained undergraduate degrees in fields outside of Human Resource Management.
“The skills that I had from my psychology background, like understanding how an environment affects people’s behavior and deciphering meaning from data through data analysis, are super valuable when you’re in HR,” Riemer said.
The program not only builds on existing skills but also trains students to become highly sought-after professionals.
“I feel a lot more comfortable walking into a room where I don't know anyone,” Riemer said. "I feel confident that I have something valuable to add to the conversation.
“Prior to this experience, I didn't have any HR knowledge at all. Now, I feel like I can hold my own and look at problems that companies are having from an HR standpoint while coming up with creative solutions to solve them. I feel like my cohort and I have grown so much even in the matter of just a few months.”
Riemer credits her growth to the real-world curriculum and her professors – especially Associate Professor Kayla Follmer, Visiting Lecturer Emily Dennis and Professor Jeff Houghton.
“Our professors are great,” Riemer said. “They're super excited and happy to help us. They have lots of one-on-one opportunities to connect with them on personal and professional levels.”
Riemer is just one of many students whose changed plans have led them to opportunities they could never have imagined.
“I would say if you can do this program, if you have the opportunity, you should take the leap. I feel like I've made such a strong network of connections. I feel way more confident in myself and my ability to add value to my future company. Looking back at myself after I just graduate with my undergraduate degrees, versus now, I have so much more passion and excitement for what my career may hold.”
-WVU-
Emma Higgins 2/7/25
MEDIA CONTACT:
Andrew Marvin
Senior Communications Specialist
John Chambers College of Business and Economics
andrew.marvin@mail.wvu.edu
