As the business environment in which most companies operate has changed, the role of the human resource function has changed, as well. Where once human resource professionals served as personnel specialists who worked largely outside the realm of strategic management, they are now an integral part of the strategic focus of a company. Human resource professionals now take a proactive role in helping companies attract and retain the highest quality workers who are able to meet the needs of the organization not only in the immediate future, but over the long term. This research explores seven areas in which there has been a change in the role of the human resource professional, and considers what new roles human resources plays in these areas.