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Project management internship vs support staff

The differences between project management interns and desk clerks supervisors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a project management internship and a support staff. Additionally, a project management internship has an average salary of $33,909, which is higher than the $31,772 average annual salary of a support staff.

The top three skills for a project management internship include management, leadership and project management. The most important skills for a support staff are customer service, developmental disabilities, and mental health.

Project management internship vs support staff overview

Project Management InternshipSupport Staff
Yearly salary$33,909$31,772
Hourly rate$16.30$15.28
Growth rate6%36%
Number of jobs114,595161,915
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 77%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Average age4747
Years of experience66

What does a project management internship do?

When it comes to a project management internship, the tasks may vary on the organization or industry where one is involved. However, the primary duties are to provide administrative support by accomplishing tasks ranging from performing research and analysis, responding to inquiries and concerns, assisting in data entry and record-keeping, producing reports, and managing schedules. There are also instances where one must participate in crafting various promotional or project materials, which would be a great learning experience.

What does a support staff do?

School support staff provide specialized instructional and student support while utilizing school facilities. They often include diverse staff members whose main role is to ensure that students learn in a supportive and safe learning environment. It is also their duty to enhance school climate by promoting the involvement of parent and family in education as well as to encourage trusting, positive student relationships. They should inhibit positive behavior and send uplifting messages to students as they often connect with them throughout the day.

Project management internship vs support staff salary

Project management interns and desk clerks supervisors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Project Management InternshipSupport Staff
Average salary$33,909$31,772
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $43,000Between $25,000 And $40,000
Highest paying CityRochester, MNSeattle, WA
Highest paying stateAlaskaNew York
Best paying companyOracleLakeland Electric
Best paying industryGovernmentFinance

Differences between project management internship and support staff education

There are a few differences between a project management internship and a support staff in terms of educational background:

Project Management InternshipSupport Staff
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 77%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaDuke University

Project management internship vs support staff demographics

Here are the differences between project management interns' and desk clerks supervisors' demographics:

Project Management InternshipSupport Staff
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 50.2% Female, 49.8%Male, 31.2% Female, 68.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 6.7% White, 62.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 6.2% White, 62.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between project management internship and support staff duties and responsibilities

Project management internship example responsibilities.

  • Manage QA and exploratory testing in order to deliver regular and ad hoc error reports.
  • Manage chart completion (ICD-9-CM and CPT coding/abstracting), chart assembly, patient admission and patient information privacy/security.
  • Manage retail sales systems (SPRS, POS) documents, create reports on merchandise stock, and help purchase merchandise.
  • Propose, develop and modify performance reports, utilizing VBA to automate and optimize efficiency.
  • Evaluate and manage financial portfolio risk and margin, monitor and evaluate macroeconomic and financial events relate to the managed portfolio.
  • Manage quality assurance checks for FDA and internal audits which result in no documentation/information error and successful completion of the audits.
  • Show more

Support staff example responsibilities.

  • Manage SharePoint inventory repository and assign access levels to new hires as needed.
  • Provide companionship to the consumer.
  • Tutor students in various science courses, English and GED prep classes.
  • Maintain a safe, supportive and therapeutic environment which fosters growth and rehabilitation.
  • Work with students at various levels of mathematics knowledge within the same teaching environment.
  • Work with students who have graduated from the developmental mathematics program on more advance mathematics classes.
  • Show more

Project management internship vs support staff skills

Common project management internship skills
  • Management, 27%
  • Leadership, 20%
  • Project Management, 10%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • Portfolio, 4%
  • Human Resources, 2%
Common support staff skills
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Developmental Disabilities, 7%
  • Mental Health, 6%
  • Meal Preparation, 6%
  • Direct Care, 6%
  • Home Maintenance, 6%

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