The Top 5 Skills I Learned as an HR Intern

Hey everyone! I’m Joëlle, and I’m currently diving headfirst into the world of Human Resources through an internship that’s anything but ordinary. I’ve been working as an HR intern for a cluster of hotels in Malta, including:

  • Corinthia St. George’s Bay
  • Radisson Blu Resort St. Julian’s
  • Verdi Hotels in St. George’s Bay and Gzira


This experience has been nothing short of eye-opening. Being part of the HR office has not only helped me grow professionally but also shaped me personally. Today, I’m sharing the top five skills I’ve developed during this journey—skills that I believe will stick with me for life.

1. Effective Communication

As the saying goes, “Communication is key,” and nowhere is this truer than in HR. Life in the HR office can get hectic, with tasks flying in from all directions. I quickly learned that active listening, clarifying doubts, and sending clear, concise emails are essential.

One of the biggest lessons has been learning how to use communication tools effectively to keep everyone in the loop, whether it’s through email, messaging platforms, or face-to-face interactions. Good communication not only resolves issues faster but also builds trust and creates a positive work environment.

2. Time Management

Juggling multiple tasks and deadlines is a daily grind in HR. During my internship, I found myself balancing admin work, ongoing projects, and unexpected tasks—all at the same time. To stay organised, I relied on tools like To-Do Lists and Outlook Agenda to prioritise tasks and ensure nothing slipped through the cracks.

Learning to manage my time effectively reduced my stress levels and boosted my productivity. More importantly, it showed me that good time management isn’t just about getting everything done—it’s about doing it well and with a clear mind.

3. Teamwork

“Teamwork makes the dream work,” as the saying goes. In hospitality, collaboration is absolutely vital, and my internship gave me firsthand experience of this. One of my key projects was creating training materials to be rolled out across all three hotels.

This task required working closely with Heads of Departments (HODs) from various areas, such as housekeeping, front office, and food and beverage. Collaborating with different teams helped me understand the importance of working together towards a common goal, even when perspectives and priorities differ.

4. Employee Relations

One of the most fascinating aspects of my internship has been understanding the dynamics of employee relations. In a workplace as diverse as a hotel, conflicts can arise due to cultural differences or communication gaps.

I learned how to handle these situations by understanding different cultural perspectives, creating a welcoming environment, and ensuring fairness in decision-making. A key takeaway for me is that happy, motivated employees lead to satisfied guests—proving just how interconnected HR practices are with guest experiences.

5. Diverse Brand Management

Last but certainly not least, I developed the ability to manage HR tasks across multiple hotel brands, each with its own unique culture and operational style. For example, the atmosphere at Corinthia St. George’s Bay is different from that at Radisson Blu Resort St. Julian’s or Verdi Hotels, and each requires a tailored approach to HR practices.

Whether it’s recruitment, training, or employee engagement, adapting to the specific needs of each brand taught me to be flexible and creative. It’s one thing to work in HR for a single company, but handling diverse brands helped me see the bigger picture of how HR practices can shape an organisation’s identity.

Interning as an HR professional in the hospitality industry has been an incredibly rewarding experience. The skills I’ve gained—effective communication, time management, teamwork, employee relations, and diverse brand management—are not just useful in HR but also valuable for life in general.

For those considering a career in hospitality or HR, Malta offers incredible opportunities to learn and grow. Whether you’re seeking internships in Malta or jobs in Malta, the hospitality industry is a fantastic place to start. Working with global brands like Corinthia and Radisson Blu not only builds your skills but also gives you exposure to diverse cultures and professional environments.

I hope my experience inspires you to explore the world of HR. It’s more than just managing paperwork; it’s about shaping workplaces, building relationships, and making a positive impact every day.

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