One of the most vital components of any MBA/MSHR degree is the combination of classroom instruction and participation in an HR MBA internship.
Students enrolled within a Master’s of Business/Master’s of Science in Human Resources (MBA/MSHR) program gain a broad understanding of the management and operational aspects of business as well as the specialized training necessary to handle all aspects of employee relations, retention, programs, and talent management. Many firms seek graduates with an educational background based in MBA/MSHR programs because of their expertise in leadership, enhancing productivity, and efficiency in managing and operating organizations. This valuable background is achieved by HR MBA courses combined with an HR MBA Internship.
Featured Top-ranked HR MBA Programs
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Selecting an HR MBA internship program requires careful research and consideration of many factors including: area of interest, hours, pay, function, location, amenities, and formality. The search and selection of an internship program is a sometimes difficult process. To assist students as they find a potential internship, here are guidelines for students:
Consider All Options Based Upon Personal Interest
The first step in the search for an HR MBA internship is to consider all options based upon personal interest. Working in the field of your choice based upon your personal interests and concentrating your search efforts yields a greater return from your time investment in an internship. Sourcing an HR MBA internship beyond the most popular options, generally those within large companies located in urban areas, those which offer prestige, and those with the most hours and pay, guarantees the work performed during the experience will be rewarding and beneficial to career goals. Students who recognize their individual and unique ambitions, abilities, and character based upon the direction they want their career to go not only gain the opportunity to acquire crucial on the job experiences but also advance personal goals. Students who avoid the most popular HR MBA internships gain the ability to select an internship which promotes their genuine interest while cultivating skill and inspiring confidence.
Investigate Search Options Within All Available Resources
After eliminating HR MBA internships which conflict with or do not appeal to interests, goals, and abilities, the number of options is quickly reduced. Students then have the ability to search for particular fields or internships with specific functions within all available resources. A wealth of information is available within libraries, bookstores, and some online programs through internship directories. Publications like Peterson’s Internships, The Internship Bible, The National Directory of Internships, and America’s Top Internships give students a reference point and often help narrow the search by overlooking HR MBA internship fields or locations which do not appeal to the student. Many students may also refer to books based upon their career or occupational interests to expand the field of interest and source potential internships not included within most directories. Online sources sources, like WetFeet.com and MonsterTrak.com are also tremendously helpful as students search for internships. Websites offer students current and constantly updates information based upon lesser known HR MBA internship sources and internships directories overlook within start up companies, non profit organizations, and small businesses. Researching options through publications and online sources provide students with a solid search foundation necessary to select the best internships.
Manage HR MBA Internship Options and Network
After sourcing potential HR MBA internships based upon interests and findings within online/published resources, students may still have many options to consider. Organizing and managing the options based upon application deadlines and a personal “ranking” system is helpful in the process of eliminating the less appealing HR MBA internships. Consulting other students, professors, section leaders is helpful to collect information as their recommendations and experiences are frequently more helpful in forming a final decision. Many students also find job fairs and discussions with career counselors considerably helpful in the selection process. Speaking with alumni, roommates, friends, parents, siblings, and other associates is also a key component to the HR MBA internship search. The more networking and conversations students have with students increase the chances of gaining information necessary to make the best choice. As everyone knows someone, chances are students may even uncover or find leads to potential internships otherwise undiscovered.
Intern Initiated Internships
Looking beyond typical internship directories, online resources, and the most popular internship options offers students the ability to source potential internships from firms or organizations based upon personal interest. Trade journals are quite valuable in the intern initiated process as they provide tremendous information regarding businesses and companies aligned with professional goals. Creating a plan, based upon highlighting the personal skills interest, values, experience, and ambitions students could offer a company may lead to a possible HR MBA internship. As an added bonus, the results of an intern initiated internship are largely beneficial to both the student and the organization.
Consider, Organize, Select, and Apply
The internship information collected from publications, online sources, trade journals, and networking allows students to consider and organize the information to eliminate options. Listing application deadlines, qualifications, materials, and any related requirements is vital to going forward in the selection process. Additionally, considering aspects of location and pay is often important at this step. Due to the increasing competition for HR MBA internships, especially for those which offer pay, students who explore options to cover expenses while participating in the internship experience may assist in determining a preferred location. Contacting organizations through email or phone contact is also helpful in sorting the less than desirable internships from the more desirable internships and ensuring they received your application.
What Is A Typical HR MBA/MSHR Internship Like?
Typical MBA/MSHR internships last from 6 to 12 weeks and offer students the ability to gain work experience performing a wide range of tasks. Internships offer students the ability to develop their skills in the field of operations management, human resources, and other related divisions of organizations. MBA/MSHR interns often work closely with senior level HR and other management executives to gain administrative knowledge and understand the complexities of the different aspects of organizations. Interns frequently perform clerical duties, like photocopying forms and documents, as well as create and manage financial statements, analyze data, develop social media and communications strategies, and assist with employee recruitment, benefits, payment, and retention responsibilities. Interns frequently attend company social events to meet supervisors and employees within all departments, establish professional relationships, and expand network contacts. Many interns mentor with upper level executives and supervisors to gain guidance and knowledge related to industry or organization questions. Interns frequently volunteer for extra hours to display work ethic and expand experience.
The Benefits Of An HR MBA Internship
Students and companies benefit from the HR MBA internship experience as the work that interns do is often helpful in assisting businesses to thrive. Internships are tremendously beneficial to students as they are one of the best means of gaining tangible skills, building resumes, adding to career portfolios, and often advancing to future employment. Internships provide students with the ability to establish professional relationships, display skills, and apply classroom instruction to on the job experiences. Internships provide students with the ability to establish professional relationships, display skills, and apply classroom instruction to on the job experiences. Internships also open doors to their career potential by participating in employment based upon their discipline of study and often secure employment post graduation. During economic downturns, many employers seek new hire candidates based upon previous experiences offered through internship programs. Many employers prefer candidates who have completed internships with them and most firms choose former interns for interviews before other candidates.
An HR MBA internship is one of the best ways for students to understand employment options before entering the workforce and offer students a foundation to base sound career decisions upon.
Featured Top-ranked Master’s in HR Programs
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