"Paging Drew Carey..."

Parabeagle

Taking a page from Leslie's groaners, I've often why you never hear about any stand-up comics who got their material from their careers in HR. Everyone who contributes to the forum, aside from providing thought-provoking, articulate answers to often ticklish situations, appears to have a well-developed sense of humor. Which makes me curious: How many of you have a background in theatre, public speaking, etc.? There must be some common denominator here???

Whatever

The reason you never see stand-up comedians do routines about HR or have even seen a tv series (comedy) about HR is who would believe it? While I have not done any acting, public speaking etc, I am from Brooklyn, NY (that should explain most of it) and euphemistically I'd call myself unusual(eccentric seems a little too harsh).

Parabeagle

You know, Whatever, I think you're on to something. Let's see... Get this nerdy-looking guy with black glasses, make him the personnel director for a department store, surround him with a bunch of weird friends...

Nah, you're right. It'd never work. No one would believe it.

HRsage

One of the earlier seasons of Drew Carey's show had "5 o'clock world" as the theme song. I play it every now and then while I'm getting ready for work. It puts me in a good mood.
I do have a small background in acting and public speaking. But so does just about everyone in Southern CA. You have to have a sense of humor in this job, it should be part of the job description.

Paul in Cannon Beach

Assuming for a moment that I am one of the "funny ones" (you know, that doesn't sound so good) I can claim no "theatrical" experience.

I think what you may have noticed in this forum is that Human Resources tends to attract people who are intelligent, observant, witty, attractive, and good dancers.

Paul

Parabeagle

I can't dance, Paul...

Don D

Personally,I developed my speaking skills during college years as a result of being summoned so many times to appear before one dean or another. I was frequently called upon to explain in detail exactly what my level of participation was in the panty-raids, the furniture stolen from the campus lounge or the bathroom fixtures destroyed by cherry bombs. I was always scared to death in speech class and years ago was frightened by the prospect of addressing Rotary or even a staff meeting. But, with age, and confidence, I conquered it and take every opportunity now, even here. No, no toastmasters or paid professional programs involved. I've never been in a play but consider my entire life one.

WOCO Frank

Good to see you again, Don...

I must confess - as an undergrad, I mocked the HR grad students mercilessly. While serving as an RA, I worked my way into the doghouse of the "professional" dorm staffers (who were all HR or Public Administration grad students) and never got out. For the big spring costume party, I pieced together a four-foot tall cone of posterboard, with arm holes and a slot to see through. Starting at the bottom, and working toward the top, were words like "beer", "pizza", "sex", etc. Across the front, I put a white sign that read "Maslow's Hierachy of Needs: First Draft." I didn't get rehired for a second tour of duty... go figure.

I didn't get into this career until I realized I was burdened by excessive self-esteem, working far too few hours for too much pay, and wallowing in a pool of utter respect for humanity. I figured the best way to rid myself of those problems was to go into HR.

ritaanz

Beagle: You don't have to have a background in the theatre. We are all actors/actresses at one time or another. When there's a RIF, you become the Angel of Death; announcing an increase in medical you're Hard Hearted Hannah; welcoming a new employee you're Mr. Rogers. Every day, we get entangled in situations that require we put our feelings and emotions on a shelf and do what must be done to get the job done.

Having a sense of humor not only makes the day brighter but adds a smile to someone's life. Be happy!

Leslie

Having never really acted (the highschool sophomore class play doesn't really count does it?) I was always on the other side...writing, writing, writing. It made the speech classes easy, because I could prepare for a 10 minute presentation with five minutes of words, then have a problem with running over. Thus the major in Journalism. The PR speciality and Sociology minor made me lean toward the human side - and here I am. Now how'd I get so funny? Plagiarism, pure and simple!

Leslie

That's funny as in ha-ha, not odd!

Parabeagle

It is? xflash

WOCO Frank

Oh, Leslie - you mean you're funny ha-ha too?

What is it with journalism, that so many of us end up in HR?

Parabeagle

Uh..., maybe the stiff competition for anchor slots? x;-)

Leslie

I'm strictly print, so guess that competition would be for a newspaper column, Beagle.

And I am certainly not going to take exception to any of the above comments. :~~

Parabeagle

Well, Leslie, I would like to be the first to invite you to take over the column of this "HR" yahoo who is syndicated in the Oregonian. Her columns appear on Sundays in the Help Wanted section and I've seen better HR advice handed out by gerbils on a bad day in a headwind.

We could collaborate and have Don guest-column once in awhile. x;-)

WOCO Frank

It's probably less the competition and more the compensation. I worked as a news editor for a small-town weekly for four years... averaged 70 hours a week, worked most holiday, got no benefits, and the pay sucked.

At least I get benefits now.

I certainly did love the job, though.

Eroj

Ok, I am a good dancer, can change emotional gears in motion, evaluate situations accurately and quickly, correctly forecast the response of others and can walk on water. But funny? No. Off center from norm, yes. All of this depends directly on the audience, which leads me to say, you are the best looking crowd I've seen in a long time. Well, since I flew in,(and gee are my arms tired). UUUUGGGGG!

Whatever

I am assuming you flew in on angel wings (the transportation of choice for HR specialists).

Zanne

Well, let's see - I'm the last of four kids so I had to be "different" from my siblings so that the school teacher would call me by my given name, not my sibs' names. I also developed the art of a straight face and dry humor to make the sibs mad when they picked on me. I did speech in high - mainly because "they" didn't do that subject when "they" were in school.

So how many of you are Last-Born? I know this is changing the topic - but HR people do fit into the Last-Born characteristics more so than any other category.

Zanne

Parabeagle

I'm the last-born (I prefer the term "youngest") of four brothers, so your theory holds true in my case. x;-) Also did speech in high school and college (the only one in my family to do so).

WOCO Frank

I'm the oldest, so my brother will forever blame me for his inability to be successful in high school.

sonny

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I am the youngest of four as well..enjoyed (and could relate to) your (Zanne) comments and had never thought of the sibling order connection to HR.

I never took speech tho, had terrible stage fright til I had to start giving speeches, and was not an English or journalism major (though considered English, but decided what would you do with a English major? so I wisely chose Sociology which, of course is more worthless than a BA in English)

And you disagree with your brother WOCO?..I bet you were a tough act to follow!!!

WOCO Frank

I was a legend in my own mind... err, time.

sonny

You and the Eagles. . at least you are in good company. Happy weekend all. We know no separation of church and state and are off tomorrow!

Leslie

Fourth of five. The first four born in five years, and I got to be the baby for five years before, surprise, sister number three.

You're lucky Sunny - casinos know no holidays.

HRsage

Sonny, I was a sociology major and wondered what I was going to do with that, so I switched to an English major and thought I would teach. But I still ended up in HR like you.

I'm also the youngest of three, and I took speech and drama in high school and college. My mom is in HR too but she's the oldest of five. Interesting theory though.

Dutch2

Maybe there is a bit of common thread developing. I too am the frist born, did the speech thing in HS and College, and also majored in Sociology with a minor in PE.

safety

I have been a professional musician for over 25 years and am quite comfortable on stage so to speak. Don’t know about the first-born thing as I was adopted two weeks after birth and have no way of knowing about potential other siblings. I took nine hours of Sociology, 12 hours of Psychology and earned a BS in HR from FU at 38 years of age.

WOCO Frank

>>BS in HR from FU

I've heard these three abbreviations in the same sentence before...

Parabeagle

I'm sure he's referring to Fordham University.... isn't he? I hope? Or maybe Felix Unger? /:)