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Human resources internship vs human resources generalist

The differences between human resources interns and human resources generalists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a human resources internship, becoming a human resources generalist takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a human resources generalist has an average salary of $56,159, which is higher than the $32,702 average annual salary of a human resources internship.

The top three skills for a human resources internship include resources intern, powerpoint and customer service. The most important skills for a human resources generalist are HRIS, performance management, and customer service.

Human resources internship vs human resources generalist overview

Human Resources InternshipHuman Resources Generalist
Yearly salary$32,702$56,159
Hourly rate$15.72$27.00
Growth rate-8%
Number of jobs88,82644,365
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age4341
Years of experience26

What does a human resources internship do?

A human resources intern is responsible for assisting the human resources department in daily operations under a direct supervisor. Duties of a human resources intern include reviewing job postings and qualifications, updating employees' information in the database, scheduling candidate interviews, responding to employees' concerns, processing payroll disputes, and reiterating the company's policies and procedures. A human resources intern must be detail-oriented and a fast-learner and display excellent communication and organizational skills to be familiarized with the management operations.

What does a human resources generalist do?

A human resources generalist is responsible for monitoring the human resources policies and procedures, making adjustments as needed to align with the company's goals and objectives. Duties of a human resources generalist also include improving employee relations system, organizing compliance and knowledge training, reviewing benefit plans, managing compensation inquiries, assisting in recruitment and staffing needs, communicating with department heads in employees' performance reviews, and storing employees' files for reference. A human resource generalist must have excellent communication and decision-making skills to address issues concerning the company and employees' welfare.

Human resources internship vs human resources generalist salary

Human resources interns and human resources generalists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Human Resources InternshipHuman Resources Generalist
Average salary$32,702$56,159
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $42,000Between $41,000 And $76,000
Highest paying CityLacey, WAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateWashingtonNew York
Best paying companyKLAMicrosoft
Best paying industryManufacturingTechnology

Differences between human resources internship and human resources generalist education

There are a few differences between a human resources internship and a human resources generalist in terms of educational background:

Human Resources InternshipHuman Resources Generalist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Human resources internship vs human resources generalist demographics

Here are the differences between human resources interns' and human resources generalists' demographics:

Human Resources InternshipHuman Resources Generalist
Average age4341
Gender ratioMale, 29.3% Female, 70.7%Male, 20.5% Female, 79.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 11.7% White, 54.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 8.0% White, 57.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage15%9%

Differences between human resources internship and human resources generalist duties and responsibilities

Human resources internship example 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.
  • Improve the presentation process by reformulating overhead projection slides to PowerPoint slides for orientation, open enrollment and other benefits information.
  • Assist in payroll process using KRONOS system.
  • Show more

Human resources generalist example responsibilities.

  • Manage any payroll-relate issues/questions with ADP directly and communicate resolutions to employees.
  • Manage administration and compliance of benefit programs, including FMLA and educational assistance programs.
  • Perform all benefits processing and payroll functions including coordinating and performing employee benefit eligibility and open enrollment activities.
  • Partner with the corporate compensation Sr.
  • Assist with the planning and implementation of KRONOS the organization's HRIS system.
  • Compile data; prepare and present material in PowerPoint presentations for staff meetings.
  • Show more

Human resources internship vs human resources generalist skills

Common human resources internship skills
  • Resources Intern, 13%
  • PowerPoint, 9%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • Internship Program, 7%
  • HRIS, 6%
  • Payroll, 5%
Common human resources generalist skills
  • HRIS, 9%
  • Performance Management, 7%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Exit Interviews, 4%
  • Payroll Processing, 3%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 3%

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