Recruiting skills and retaining connections
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Maddie Suttle, a senior human resource management student with a minor in leadership and business strategy, is developing new skills and investing in valuable experiences at Western Michigan University’s Haworth College of Business. Hailing from La Grange Park, Illinois, Suttle brings human warmth to managing resources through leadership experiences and personal connections.
Taking on new challenges with enthusiasm, Suttle has excelled within her internship. Currently, she serves as an HR intern at the Kalamazoo Regional Education Service Agency (KRESA). Her responsibilities include assisting with job postings, fingerprinting, workers’ compensation reporting, talent and recruiting events, and a variety of strategic HR initiatives, all of which have widened her professional outlook.
“I was drawn to this internship after hearing about KRESA from my classmate who previously held the role. I was especially interested in gaining HR experience within a nonprofit organization and the education sector, which is a critical yet often overlooked area of the field. I knew it would be a meaningful opportunity to give back to the community while gaining experience in a setting that is different from corporate HR. My time with KRESA has been a highlight of my collegiate and professional journey, and I am grateful to be part of a supportive and incredible team.”
During her time at WMU Haworth, Suttle has fostered a wonderful community. Serving as the director of professional events for the Society for Excellence in Human Resources (SEHR), she has not only gained relevant leaderships skills, but impactful relationships with her peers.
“I’ve become especially close with students in my major, and I’ve consistently felt supported and encouraged by my peers. Being involved in WMU Haworth student organizations, particularly SEHR, has also strengthened that sense of community. Connecting with students who share similar interests and are motivated to grow has been one of the most meaningful parts of my experience at WMU Haworth.”
Throughout her academic career, WMU Haworth has been a steady support for Suttle as she begins to step into the workforce. “I have been able to take advantage of several professional development resources at the college,” she says. “Resources like the Communication Center, the Zhang Career Center, and the Student Professional Readiness Series have helped me strengthen my communication skills, prepare for professional opportunities and better understand what it means to be successful in the workplace. By using these supports, I feel more confident and prepared as I work toward my career goals.”
As a student in the Lee Honors College, Suttle has been crafting an honors thesis focused on emotional labor and burnout in human resources with the guidance and support of her thesis advisor, Dr. Chen Wang. “Her mentorship has been crucial throughout the entire process,” she says. “I have learned so much from working closely with her.”
In preparation for her career, Suttle has earned her Society for Human Resources Certified Professional credential, which validates her knowledge of HR principles and her ability to apply them in real-world contexts. Suttle also plans to earn a master's degree in HR through online programming while she continues to gain professional experiences in the HR field
Learn more about human resources management at WMU.
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