Input Stories

Many people imagine that a job in manufacturing requires working on a shop floor to create products. Joseph Fields—a human resources professional at MGX Equipment Services—knows that isn’t the case.

“Working in MGX, there’s cranes and welding and engineering—but there’s also HR, and finance, and payroll and employee health and safety,” said Fields. “There are lots of opportunities you can lean into.”

The background: Fields spent eight years as a yeoman in the U.S. Navy before he transitioned into a civilian role in 2000. Over the course of the next two decades, he worked in human resources at a variety of companies. However, he was laid off in October 2023 after a six-year stint when his employer downsized.

• A few days later, he attended a virtual career fair sponsored by Heroes MAKE America—a Manufacturing Institute program that builds connections between the military community and the manufacturing industry—and found his new role.
• “I wasn’t planning to go to the HMA career fair, because I had zero experience with manufacturing,” said Fields. “But I saw it on LinkedIn, and at the time, I hadn’t interviewed with anyone in six years. I figured this would be a good opportunity to talk about myself and get some feedback.”

The result: Fields didn’t just get feedback, he was offered a job with MGX, one of the manufacturers in attendance.

• “I met with lots of great companies, including a manager at MGX, and we had a great conversation,” said Fields. “She called me the next day and asked if I was interested in an HR position. They offered it to me the week after Thanksgiving.”
• “We are very thankful we found Joseph through Heroes MAKE America. He attended our virtual career fair and visited our breakout room. After listening to our presentation a few times, he still stayed in our room,” said MGX Director of HR Ashley Barkdoll. “I could tell he would be a great fit for our team after having a few conversations with him.”

The program: Heroes MAKE America provides integrated certification, career-readiness training and job-searching support in partnership with local technical and community colleges to prepare transitioning service members, veterans, National Guard members, reservists and military spouses for rewarding careers in the manufacturing and supply chain industries.

Read the full story here.