From frontline worker to a future in HR: Jessica Robach has found her purpose

KALAMAZOO, Mich.— For human resource management (HRM) student Jessica Robach, hard work is nothing new. Having worked in a manufacturing position prior to pursuing her degree, Robach has found her passion in working with frontline workers, harnessing the power of positive relationships and empathy. As she finishes up her final year at Western Michigan University, she is getting a taste of what her future holds.

Beginning during the past January, Robach started her partnership with MANN+HUMMEL as a human resources intern. She was drawn to this position because of her own manufacturing background, allowing her to see the potential impact she could have on the employees.

“I was a forklift driver prior to embarking on my human resources internship,” she says. “My experience in manufacturing helped me develop my ‘why’ in pursuing an HR major. Front-line workers are the heart of many business operations, and I believe they are a company’s most valuable asset. Working to empower these workers gives me a sense of purpose and commitment.”

Upon her start at MANN+HUMMEL, Robach quickly learned how well the Haworth College of Business was preparing her for her career. “When first entering my human resources role, I was able to bridge many connections between my classes and my job. It proved to me how relevant and important the content within the curriculum is. For example, the themes from my Labor and Employee Relations course helped guide my decisions during the United Auto Workers and Big 3 strike. It was exciting for me to see how the HRM courses at WMU Haworth are preparing students for challenges and triumphs upon entering the workforce.”

In addition to the academic breadth of the program, Robach has taken advantage of additional opportunities to further her career. “Working with the Society for Excellence in Human Resources (SEHR), a registered student organization at WMU, the HRM students and faculty host a human resources networking night,” she says. “Tailored toward HRM students, the event includes multiple employers as well as graduate programs in HR. Students have the opportunity to network and find out more about what their careers could look like.”

She also shares how WMU has introduced her to the Kalamazoo Human Resource Management Association, a professional organization that provides mentorship to HR students. “Students are paired with an HR professional within the Kalamazoo area. Mentors offer insight into post-graduation opportunities, identifying which area of HR interests us the most, such as compliance or labor relations, as well as provide resume and LinkedIn help.”

After graduation, Robach plans to continue her education by pursuing a master’s degree. Through the connections of those in HRM at WMU Haworth, she has applied to both Cornell University and Michigan State University in hopes of being accepted into their labor relations programs. Drawing on the knowledge from her courses, her internship experience and her connections from SEHR, Robach has begun to make a difference in a field that is important to her, ultimately leading to a career she that makes her proud.  

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