Conflict Resolution & Management: In-Depth Career Guide

In sports, business, world affairs, and civic life, cooperation is key. Conflict resolution experts help individuals and groups bridge differences and work together. Through communication, mediation, and leadership training, people learn to collaborate effectively.

Which Types of Jobs Are Available For Those Interested in Conflict Resolution & Management?

Conflict resolution and management has applications in business, education, government, international diplomacy, and criminal justice. A background in conflict resolution prepares you for jobs in mediation, international affairs, and business training. Job titles include:

• Mediator
• Arbitrator
• Alternative dispute resolution coordinator
• Corporate trainer
• HR labor relations specialist
• Diplomat
• NGO international conflict specialist
• University ombudsman

Mediators facilitate negotiation and consensus by engaging parties in a dialogue. Mediation takes conflict resolution out of the contentious and often costly environment of the court system. Whether you work as a mediator, labor relations specialist, or international conflict mediator, you'll put your skills to work listening to grievances, communicating perspectives among parties, and developing mutually acceptable solutions to conflict. Corporate trainers and other conflict educators teach leaders, mid-level managers, and team members to communicate and collaborate effectively with one another.

Conflict resolution can be rewarding and frustrating. Mediators in all contexts face the stress of conflict, since they are inserting themselves between antagonists. That said, the satisfaction of helping antagonists find common ground can make the frustration worthwhile. Mediation offers a more optimistic alternative to the legal system, which typically does more to divide the parties than bring them together.

Formal Training Required to Work in Conflict Resolution & Management

A college degree is a standard requirement for careers in conflict resolution and management. While the four-year bachelor's degree offers a solid foundation for many mediation careers, the preferred qualification in most job contexts is a master's degree in dispute or conflict resolution. The master's degree involves about two years of graduate-level study and is available online.

Available degrees include:

• Bachelor's degree in conflict resolution and management
• Master's degree in dispute resolution or conflict management
• MBA (Master of Business Administration) with a concentration in management training or labor relations
• JD (Juris Doctor) for legal mediation careers

Most mediators also complete a special training program or mediation certificate, which typically includes a 40-hour basic course and a 20-hour advanced training course. Some states require mediators and arbitrators to hold a license to practice.

A degree in conflict resolution and management incorporates courses in behavioral and organizational psychology, alternative dispute resolution, negotiation and bargaining, and cultural diversity issues. Courses in conflict education cover communication training, executive coaching, and leadership training.

The Typical Career Path of Someone Interested in Conflict Resolution & Management

Mediators typically begin their career by gaining experience as an assistant or intern. Many gravitate into the field from legal careers, bringing a background as an attorney or judge. With experience, mediators may earn a license to practice as a professional mediator, if the state requires it. Corporate conflict management trainers may advance into the career through an entry-level position as an HR assistant.

Mediators bring solid negotiating skills and a patient, conciliatory nature. A skilled mediator can defuse tension through listening to both sides, coaching clients in effective communication, and developing creative solutions to problems. Corporate management training professionals focus on structuring activities such as role-playing exercises to help workers learn people skills and effective management.

Job Outlook and Salary Information for Conflict Resolution & Management Majors

The need for skilled conflict resolution experts should persist well into the next decade, reports the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Mediators and arbitrators should see faster than average job growth of 14 percent from 2008 to 2018, as business and individuals attempt to avoid courtroom litigation. Arbitration and mediation offers a less expensive and often, more successful means of resolving conflict, especially in domestic cases such as child custody decisions. Arbitrators and mediators earned a median salary of $52,770 in 2009.

Human resources training and labor relations specialists should see even more robust growth, with an employment increase of 24 percent predicted from 2008 to 2018. These HR specialists, which include conflict resolution and management training specialists, earned $56,440 in 2009.

Conflict resolution and management offers a powerful alternative for bringing people together and facilitating teamwork. In an era of collaboration in international affairs and business, it's important to recognize and address the potential stumbling blocks in interpersonal communication and leadership. Help people and organizations achieve their full potential by training for a career in conflict resolution and management.