Entry-level positions for aspiring Non-Profit HR Professionals
Sharon, an HR Manager at a Non-Profit Group Home Housing, suggests that entry-level candidates consider roles like "HR generalist or an HR coordinator," where one can learn on the job without needing extensive prior knowledge, and also suggests exploring paid internships that offer compensation and valuable experience. She also mentions that some organizations will even "pay for certification" or classes for promising candidates, making it worthwhile to explore these opportunities.
Human Resources, Entry-Level Positions, HR Generalist, HR Coordinator, Internships
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Sharon Mooney
HR Manager
Non-Profit Group Home Housing
Baylor University
Arizona State University (ASU) - W. P. Carey Master of Science - MS, Human Resources Management and Services
Fine Arts, Music
Nonprofit, Foundations & Grantmaking
Human Resources (HR)
Disabled, Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School
Video Highlights
1. Entry-level HR positions like HR Generalist or HR Coordinator are accessible without extensive prior legal or analytical knowledge; these skills can be learned on the job.
2. Internships, especially paid ones, offer valuable introductions to the HR field and provide compensation for your time.
3. Some organizations prioritize interpersonal skills and may offer to pay for certifications or classes to help employees gain necessary qualifications.
Transcript
What entry-level positions are there in this field that an undergrad or grad student might consider?
There are multiple companies that have positions classified as HR generalist or HR coordinator. These are entry-level roles where you don't need to have all the legal knowledge required for upper-level HR management.
You don't have to know the ins and outs of job descriptions and job analysis, or how to perform compensation and benefits analysis. These are things you can learn on the job. So, if an opportunity arises and you're interested, an HR generalist or HR coordinator position is a great first step to learn.
You can then apply what you learn in your classes, as I'm currently doing in one of my graduate degree courses. You can use that experience and those scenarios in your university-level work, whether undergraduate or graduate.
There are also internships that organizations provide over the summer or a set period. These can also give you an introduction to the field. I always recommend seeking out paid internships because you get the most value and are compensated for your time.
You don't need a lot of prior knowledge to be successful in an entry-level HR position. In fact, some organizations will hire you if you're great with people and then pay for your certification or classes. So, there are places that will help you meet your goals if you're in the right place at the right time.
If this is something that interests you and you think you'd be good at it, exploring entry-level HR generalist and HR coordinator positions would be beneficial.