Internship while working fulltime 9-5 (employees, non-profit, degree, paralegal)

[atlcharm]

Hi All,

I currently work in the wonderful world of insurance. I have a FT job, M-F from 9-5:30. I would like to transition into HR but do not have any experience or HR Education for that matter. I'd like to get my foot in the door by volunteering/interning at some companies to get some experience. How do I manage this. I'm not sure who would be willing to stay and train an intern after normal business hours. My weekends are free but most people are not working on the weekends. Am I seeing the glass as half empty or has someone managed this before. I'm not even sure how to approach a company being that I don't have standard availability which is usually 9-5 Monday through Friday.

[gea12345]

Well, sometimes you have to be pregnant. You can't be half pregnant. It is either/or!

There are many people in my paralegal program that have that problem. They have a new shiny degree, but no experience, and w/out experience it is hard to get a legal job. One woman took one day personal/vacation day a week for two months to complete her internship and also left work early.

Some employers will allow their employees to take one day off a week to complete a school program and work weekends or stay late to make up the hours. That is a possibility.

But if you want to get into H.R. the best thing is to get a Masters if you already have a Bachelors. If you don't then take an Assoc., but you will need schooling, particularly at this late date.

Then as part of your schooling you can take an internship. as outlined above.

But a H.R. job in the evening, in my opinion is like trying to find a needle in a haystack.

good luck!

[atlcharm]

needle in a haystack is right. I actually have my masters degree. I was thinking of taking some HR classes to get an MBA with a focus in HR Management, but my problem would still be the experience.

[gea12345]

Originally Posted by atlcharm

needle in a haystack is right. I actually have my masters degree. I was thinking of taking some HR classes to get an MBA with a focus in HR Management, but my problem would still be the experience.

No, not a problem. Once you get the classes, you will become more focused and refined in knowing "what you want' and who you want to work for! Get the certificate or MBA/HR Management and then you will meet people. Your profs. wil have connections, etc!

[FarNorthDallas]

Isn't there some legal reason why companies can't have unpaid volunteers? Aren't they by law required to pay you a wage if you are not affiliated with a school program?

[gea12345]

Originally Posted by FarNorthDallas

Isn't there some legal reason why companies can't have unpaid volunteers? Aren't they by law required to pay you a wage if you are not affiliated with a school program?

No! they are not required by law to pay you!! I have arranged most of my internships/volunteers!! And I have worked for hospitals, research hospitals, law firms, law non-profits, education non-profits, etc...


However, most companies are not interested in giving people internships, because one, insurance liability and confidentiality. Also, there are federal guidelines for hiring unpaid student interns/volunteers. The business cannot have the person doing work in place of a real employee. The intern must not be depended upon. They must be given tasks that enhance the learning aspect, rather than the doing aspect. Yes, there are very specific guidleines!! Most businesses are not aware of the guidelines. Personally, I would prefer to be given work of substance, even if not paid!! But then again, I intern/volunteer only 10 to 15 hours per week, and the schedule is around my needs.

Butt! unfortunately, most interns just make photocopies, staple things, etc... and you really don't learn tasks. You learn about job dynamics, social work interactons, hierarchy, etc.. Which are also important things to learn, like being reliable, showing up on time, leaving on time and not early, etc...

But personally, I wish internships were more structured. But a company that offers structured internships, is a gold mine, but it is usually more competitive to get those, for that very same reason.

Now on the other hand if the company is a not-for-profit comany/organization, then there are less rules.

In my experience, non-profits offer the most internships. And you the intern/volunteer are contributing to your socieity and learning an important skill, which is to take , but to give back to your socieity.!!

Now colleges demand in their capstone projects students to intern/volunteer to graduate. I think this sucks, since some of us must work for a living while in College!! But they will not allow you to get paid!! However, my graduate school did allow me to get paid, whicle completing my required internship!!

hope this helps!

[annerk]

What do you do in "insurance?"

If you are able, transition into workers comp claims. From there you should be able to get hired into the HR department of a major company handling isues related to w/c. Then take any and every training opportunity you can for other HR work and slowly work your way into a generalist position.