Human Resource Internship - Essay Example

Human Resource Internship Report 0 Background Information My five-month internship at Morrison Supermarket Camden town branch, has undeniably complemented my human resource skills, and is a significant step I have taken towards developing into a world class professional. My daily routine involved reporting to work early where I checked the emails, to enquire if there were any duties to be carried out by 9am and ensure that I provide my input where necessary. Similarly, I was tasked with the responsibility of ensuring that I closely monitor employee presence within the offices, by paying close attention to the employees swiping in and out of the establishment. In like manner, I actively took part in observing the employee rota, preparation of payrolls and in handling of disciplinary cases. I have to particularly thank the organization of Morrison Supermarket for providing me with the opportunity to take part in the recruitment process, where I learnt how to prepare application forms for each job description, go through the selection of potential candidates and in conducting of the interviews. Over and above, the internship has widened my scope of reasoning, for I presently understand what it takes to be a successful human resource professional. This reflective essay consequently aims to provide more insight on the most important issues that I learnt; particularly in terms of attitude, knowledge, skills and emotional development. 2.0 Internship Objectives Human Resource Management internship is a far-reaching undertaking in the academic and professional life of a HRM scholar. My essential objective for taking up a five-month internship at Morrison Supermarket was to relate and apply my academic foundation on how Human Resource Management operates. I aimed towards ascertaining that I make sense of how a normal human resource department functions as well as to reinforce my knowledge of Human Resource Management, thereby learning the essential attitudes and skills necessary to develop into a competitive professional. At the same time, I expected the internship to provide me with the opportunity to develop emotionally, given that emotional intelligence is a key component of Human Resource Management. 3.0 Attitudes 3.1 Accepting Responsibilities Employees play a significant role in making sure that organizations accomplish their business objectives. At the same time, it is of great significance to note that the attitude that an employee wears to work determines his or her level of input. In the course of my human resource internship program at Morrison Supermarket, I learnt the attitude of accepting responsibility and avoiding too much blame game within the work environment, as that plays a role in nurturing teamwork within a given operational environment1. I principally learnt that this is an important attitude, as too much friction with employees proves that a manager does not value his or her employees, and that they are not dependable. Similarly, I learnt that, employees often feel obliged to deliver high quality products and services when they are accorded the independence to arrive at their own verdicts and that such level of individuality demonstrates that the organization values its work force, and that its employees share and live the dream of the organization. 3.2 Proactiveness The attitude of proactiveness is one of the attitudes that I learnt in the course of my internship. This implies that I am presently acquainted on some of the ideal mechanisms of how to offer solutions to my colleagues when they call upon me to bail them out under unclear issues. The internship made me pick up that in as much as problem mistakes are costly to any organization, being proactive and decisive in arriving at verdicts makes sure that operational mistakes are entertained, an event that provides employees with additional opportunities of improving on most of the tasks they are routinely assigned to undertake. 4.0 Skills 4.1 Organization In the course of my internship at Morrison Supermarket, I was acquainted with several skills most of which I practiced, as they come in handy in making sure that I put my theoretical knowledge into practice. One of the essential skills that I learnt was that of organization. I particularly was acquainted to the fact that human resource requires an orderly approach, where individuals ensure that they get by their materials as well as their time management skills, which permits personal efficiency. 4.2 Multitasking Apart from proper organization, I learnt that there is need for a Human Resource Manager to learn how to multitask, for they are likely to handle several issues in the course of a normal day2. As a result, the skill of multitasking enables them to attend to all organizational and employee issues without excessive straining. 4.3 Negotiation I also learnt negotiation, a skill that helps Human Resource Managers in finding a middle ground with most of the parties they interact with when discharging their duties. Negotiation is similarly an important skill, for it enables Human Resource professionals arrive at conjoint verdicts and represent amicably the interests of both the management and the workforce they manage. 4.4 Communication Communication was another important skill that I learnt in the course of my internship at Morrison Supermarket. I particularly was acquainted to the fact that Human Resource Managers should develop effective communication skills given that they are to routinely communicate with prospective employees and their colleagues at work. 4.5 High Level of Ethics Human Resource Managers often come across very vital employee information, which should always be kept discrete. Any entity who leaks such private employee information is considered dishonorable. Consequently, I learnt the skill of being discrete and living by the ethical standards of the career. I particularly learnt that an entity who practices such vital characteristics is prospective to find a way to monitor the policies enacted by the administration of the organization, and at the same time attend to the needs of the workforce. 5.0 Knowledge 5.1 Employee Motivation One of the major foundations upon which human resource is based is that employees are key to the success of any organization. Consequently, I learnt that it is important for employers to work on mechanisms that ascertain that the concerns of the employees are well attended. This includes rewarding them for a job well done and at the same time encouraging the low-level performers to maximize their input3. As demonstrated in the Maslow hierarchical theory of needs, I learnt the importance of the need for organizations to ensure that their employees are comfortable, and that they are well trained, to help them overcome the daily logistical challenges associated with the economy. My internship perfectly supplemented my coursework, as I put most of my theoretical knowledge into practice. As a result, I learnt that by routinely subjecting employees to training related to their areas of specialty, they became well equipped to handle most of the concerns that would have proved challenging in the past. As indicated in the Maslow theory, it is important for organizations to ensure that their staff is adequately motivated. 5.2 Recruitment The internship I undertook at Morrison Supermarket provided me with the ideal opportunity to learn and carry out a lot regarding recruitment. I was acquainted with how to go about a job description, select potential candidates out of those who applied and finally settle on the perfect candidate. 6.0 Emotional Development It would be inconsiderable of me to fail to mention the manner in which the internship aided me in taking control of my emotions. I particularly learnt of the fact that an ideal human resource professional, is one who controls his or her impulse, behavior and mood. This is because an impulsive HR professional, is likely to be the source of tension and stress within the working environment. On the other hand, those who are slow to anger, and seek to understand before being understood are prospective to ensure harmony prevails within the working environment4. In fact, I tend to believe that putting my emotions under control is a huge step towards ensuring that I was resourceful to Morrison Supermarket, and that I become an important asset to any organization where I will work in the future. 7.0 Critical Incidents My internship at Morrison Supermarket was a success. This is principally because it made me learn and exhibit the key traits of a successful human resource professional. Such include organizational and corporate awareness, monitoring performance, motivation and recruitment5. Nonetheless, I presume true that one of the most critical instances in the course of the internship was the fact that I played an integral role in warranting that we bring the best out of our workforce as an organization. The aspect of developing some of the colleagues I worked with is a card I shall forever hold closer to my heart, for it is the responsibility of the society to ensure that it brings the best out of its inhabitants. 8.0 Reference List Bruce, S., & J. Schleifer. The Nine Essential Skills to Human Resource Management-How Many Do You Have? (2006). http://hrdailyadvisor.blr.com/2006/07/18/the-9-essential-skills-of-human-resources-management-how-many-do-you-have-2/# Accessed on 2015 April, 26 Henry, M. Five Attitudes to Accelerate Leadership Development in 2015. (2015) http://smartblogs.com/leadership/2015/01/15/5-attitudes-to-accelerate-leadership-development-in-2015/ .Accessed on 2015 April, 26 HR.com. The Importance of Emotional Intelligence in the Work Place: Why it Matters More than Personality. (2015). http://www.hr.com Accessed on 2015 April, 26 Lawrence, J. The Top Five Qualities of a Successful HR professional in 2013. (2013). http://www.hrzone.com/lead/strategy/topfive-qualities-of-a-successful-hr-director-in-2013 Accessed on 2015 April, 26 University of Florida. HR Management Career and Industry Profile. (2015). http://essentialsofbusiness.ufexec.ufl.edu/resources/human-resources/hr-management-career-and-industry-profile/#.VT1C_Eb4368 Accessed on 2015 April, 26 Read More