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Human resources internship vs senior human resources generalist

The differences between human resources interns and senior 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 senior human resources generalist takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a senior human resources generalist has an average salary of $72,512, 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 senior human resources generalist are HRIS, payroll, and employee engagement.

Human resources internship vs senior human resources generalist overview

Human Resources InternshipSenior Human Resources Generalist
Yearly salary$32,702$72,512
Hourly rate$15.72$34.86
Growth rate-7%
Number of jobs88,82647,037
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Average age4347
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 senior human resources generalist do?

A Senior Human Resources Generalist implements human resources programs, such as health and welfare benefits, training and development, and safety/health. They are also responsible for improving manager and employee performance.

Human resources internship vs senior human resources generalist salary

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

Human Resources InternshipSenior Human Resources Generalist
Average salary$32,702$72,512
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $42,000Between $54,000 And $96,000
Highest paying CityLacey, WAStamford, CT
Highest paying stateWashingtonNevada
Best paying companyKLAPitchBook Data
Best paying industryManufacturingFinance

Differences between human resources internship and senior human resources generalist education

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

Human Resources InternshipSenior Human Resources Generalist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Human resources internship vs senior human resources generalist demographics

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

Human Resources InternshipSenior Human Resources Generalist
Average age4347
Gender ratioMale, 29.3% Female, 70.7%Male, 23.5% Female, 76.5%
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, 7.7% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 5.7% White, 70.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage15%18%

Differences between human resources internship and senior 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

Senior human resources generalist example responsibilities.

  • Manage hourly and management recruiting activity to meet establish AAP goals.
  • Manage AAP plan development, modification, implementation, and reporting requirements.
  • Partner with Sr. Management and line managers to develop organizational strategies and achieve overall organizational objectives.
  • Administer and negotiate benefits package, perform internal audits, manage disability and FMLA and perform in-house training.
  • Manage the FMLA application process, conduct employee investigations, resolve payroll and benefit discrepancies and administer salary adjustments per contract.
  • Complete all government filing requirements are complete timely and accurately, including ERISA, VETS-100A, EEO-1 and OSHA reporting.
  • Show more

Human resources internship vs senior 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 senior human resources generalist skills
  • HRIS, 8%
  • Payroll, 6%
  • Employee Engagement, 6%
  • SR, 5%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Exit Interviews, 4%

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