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What is a human resources internship and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
5 min read
Quoted experts
Denise Barton,
Thomas Byrnes
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A human resources internship is an opportunity for students or recent graduates to gain experience in the field of HR. Interns work alongside HR professionals to learn about various functions, such as recruitment, employee relations, benefits, and training. They assist with job posting, resume screening, scheduling interviews, and preparing orientation materials. Additionally, interns may help with special projects or events related to HR, such as diversity and inclusion initiatives or employee engagement programs.

What general advice would you give to a human resources internship?

Denise BartonDenise Barton LinkedIn profile

Senior Professor of Human Resources, Wake Technical Community College

I would advise graduates beginning their careers to earn a human resources certification from the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) and Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI). Both organizations are internationally recognized for high-quality HR knowledge-based exams.
ScoreHuman Resources InternshipUS Average
Salary
2.6

Avg. Salary $32,702

Avg. Salary $59,228

Diversity
8.1
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.00%

Asian 11.67%

Black or African American 11.91%

Hispanic or Latino 16.26%

Unknown 5.17%

White 54.00%

Gender

female 70.73%

male 29.27%

Age - 42
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 42
Stress level
5.8

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
5.9

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance
7.0

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a human resources internship?

Pros

  • Opportunity to network with professionals in the industry

  • Possibility of receiving academic credit for the internship

  • Exposure to different HR software and tools

  • Possibility of receiving a job offer after the internship

  • Opportunities for mentorship and guidance from experienced HR professionals

Cons

  • Maybe unpaid or low-paying, which can be financially challenging for some

  • Possibility of working with difficult or uncooperative employees

  • Lack of job security after the internship ends

  • Possibility of working in a toxic work environment

  • May require commuting to a location that is far from home.

Human resources internship career paths

Key steps to become a human resources internship

  1. Explore human resources internship education requirements

    Most common human resources internship degrees

    Bachelor's

    75.1 %

    Associate

    10.8 %

    Master's

    9.5 %
  2. Start to develop specific human resources internship skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Resources Intern13.44%
    PowerPoint8.98%
    Customer Service8.07%
    Internship Program7.35%
    HRIS5.66%
  3. Complete relevant human resources internship training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New human resources interns learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a human resources internship based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real human resources internship resumes.
  4. Gain additional human resources internship certifications

    Human resources internship certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific human resources internship certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for human resources interns include Certified Professional - Human Resource (IPMA-CP) and Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP).

    More About Certifications
  5. Research human resources internship duties and responsibilities

    • Manage the background process while maintaining the applicant tracking system (ICIMS).
    • Maintain and manage all confidential documents including offer letters, I9 documentation, vendor and equity agreements.
    • Integrate efforts on actions and programs where joint OPM functional effort are necessary to accomplish recruitment and enhance organizational effectiveness.
    • Ensure the completion of all new hire paperwork and entry into HRIS, timekeeping, and e-Verify systems.
  6. Prepare your human resources internship resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your human resources internship resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a human resources internship resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable human resources internship resume templates

    Build a professional human resources internship resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your human resources internship resume.
    Human Resources Internship Resume
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    Human Resources Internship Resume
  7. Apply for human resources internship jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a human resources internship job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first human resources internship job

Zippi

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Average human resources internship salary

The average human resources internship salary in the United States is $32,702 per year or $16 per hour. Human resources internship salaries range between $25,000 and $42,000 per year.

Average human resources internship salary
$32,702 Yearly
$15.72 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do human resources interns rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

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2 stars

1 star

Human resources internship reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2019
Pros

I enjoy and I’m great in recruiting in any organization I trust and believe in.

Cons

Nothing.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2019
Pros

The variety in the work.

Cons

Can be stressful if one is not organized and able to shift priorities when needed.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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