Intern – Associate Relations Specialist

Location: Lakeland, FL
Job ID: 31584BR
Department: Human Resources
Working Hours: 40 hours per week
Pay Frequency: Weekly
Date Posted: Jan 27, 2025

Salary varies

Onsite

Full Time - Temporary

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Description

Program Introduction

At Publix, we are committed to making a difference and it’s our pleasure to continuously develop our most valuable resource— our associates. The Publix Summer Internship Program prepares a cohort of young professionals for a smorgasbord of opportunity in the workplace through relationship building, development of self-confidence, and insight into industry knowledge.

Since the inception of the program in 2007, Publix empowers interns to share, lead, and implement their creative ideas, projects, and unique contributions towards our organization and the communities we serve.

Over the course of 10 weeks, interns are immersed in consequential department projects which allow them to apply academic concepts learned in the classroom to a real-world, corporate setting. The intern cohort participates in several exclusive events including meeting with Publix executives, volunteering in a local community service event, touring manufacturing and distribution facilities, and giving an end-of-summer presentation to Publix leaders. This summer, the program will occur from May 19 through July 25 at our company facilities in Lakeland, Florida. Interns are offered competitive pay and are generally expected to work onsite 40 hours per week, although this varies by department. Additionally, we partner with Florida Southern College to provide free housing for our out-of-town interns.

Come join an organization consistently ranked as a great place to work and make valuable contributions through an inimitable experience helping you grow professionally and personally. Add your story to the Publix legacy and apply today.

* This internship posting can close within two weeks from the date it was posted. Candidates are encouraged to apply immediately.

Position Overview

Support Associate Relations provides internal customers with effective HR solutions to meet a range of business challenges and ensure compliance with employment laws, Publix policy, and our company values. Some of our key functions include conducting investigations, making recommendations to management, providing guidance for performance management, advising leadership on policies and retention strategies, and delivering training. The SARS team often participates in cross-functional efforts and acts as trusted advisers to leaders at all levels of the organization. Within the department, the intern will have several responsibilities to support this critical work.

What you’ll do

• Gain real world experience working alongside experienced associate relations professionals as they investigate a wide range of employment concerns, mediate disagreements, and provide guidance to associates and leaders in a variety of business areas.
• Conduct interviews with associates to capture their perspective on their department, retention concerns, or other related topics.
• Analyze data and produce actionable improvement recommendations to leadership.
• Evaluate requests for accommodation and leaves of absence
• Conduct general research on emerging HR trends
• Observe and provide feedback on leadership training courses
• Provides recommendations and findings from associate surveys and Human Resources related initiatives

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Required Qualifications

• Must be an actively enrolled student not graduating prior to the start of the Summer Internship Program in May; or
  • If graduating from a bachelor’s degree program prior to the start of the internship, starting a graduate degree program in the upcoming summer or fall semester; or
  • If graduating from a master’s degree program prior to the start of the internship, starting a graduate degree program in the upcoming summer or fall semester)
• Must be pursuing a bachelor’s or graduate degree in Human Resources Management, Human Resources, Communication, Psychology, or Business and be a current sophomore or above (rising junior or above as of the program start in Summer 2025) or a graduate student
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Word and PowerPoint
• Intermediate knowledge of Excel
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills
• High level of maturity, discretion, and tact
• Ability to deal with confidential matters
• Ability to work well with others
• Must have a current driver’s license to be able to travel to various Publix buildings for meetings, as needed

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Preferred Qualifications

• Human Resources-related coursework
• Professional, volunteer, or classroom experience with employment law

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Benefits

• Free hot lunches (buffet-style) at facilities with a cafeteria
• Paycheck direct deposit
• Credit union

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Additional Information

Your application may have additional steps that you will need to complete in order to remain eligible for consideration. Please be sure to monitor your email, including your spam folder, on a daily basis for critical, time-sensitive emails that could require action within 24-48 hours.

Please do not use your Publix email address when applying. Once your application has been successfully submitted you will receive a confirmation email.

For this position, Publix does not and will not file a petition or application with the USCIS or Department of State on behalf of any noncitizen for any immigration-related benefit to work and/or to continue to work in the United States, e.g., an H-1B or TN petition or permanent residence.

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