In her internship at the Family and Children’s Center (FCC), junior human resources major Heather Hayes gained an insider’s view of working in the non-profit sector. “The internship has given me more ideas to think about when I begin to look for a job,” said Hayes. “A position in a non-profit is a real interest now.”

Like many non-profits, FCC’s resources are limited and tied to federal funding that require regimented processes for hiring. “We have a lot of challenges with staffing,” said Victoria Geschke, FCC human resources specialist. “We staff a lot of hourly part-time positions and low paying salaried positions, so retention can be a problem.”

As an intern, Hayes relieved some of the work load for Executive Administrative Assistant Elizabeth Waletzko, who in addition to her other duties, manages the screening and hiring processes for new FCC employees. “Heather is wearing a lot of hats in this internship,” said Waletzko. “She’s a fast learner and follows procedures very carefully, which allows me to focus on other areas in the organization that need my attention.”

In addition to on-boarding new employees, Hayes has also been learning more about employee benefits, while cross-training in other departments. “I was surprised by how fast I fit in at the Family and Children’s Center,” said Hayes. “My internship has given me a good taste of what it’s like to work in my future career.”

With little experience in human resources, Hayes was hesitant to apply for the FCC internship, when she saw the post on the Career Services’ job portal--IUSBCareers. “I’m glad I applied,” she said. “It’s provided experiences beyond what I can learn in the classroom.”