LEADING THE TROOPS...IN HR 

Justina Bond, MBA 2009
HRLP, GE Transportation

While many college students struggle with the stress of classes and every day life, Justina Bond decided that she wanted to take a break from the ordinary to partake in a new set of challenges - physical, mental, and international.  After 9/11, she enlisted in the Active Duty Army, and worked as a Logistics Supervisor, serving for two years in Germany and one year in Iraq.  It was during this time that her interest in HR was sparked.  "I was in charge of my own office as a logistics/supply supervisor in a maintenance unit and had the opportunity to view in a unique situation, one with little or no monetary incentives, the effects of organizational decisions on the human capital of the unit. I found it very interesting, and realized the value that resides simply in making good decisions about leveraging this valuable asset."

Justina returned to her undergraduate studies with the intent to continue on a path towards a career In HR.  "I did more research on the field while completing my bachelor's degree and realized that the level of strategic decision making authority that I wanted to be at in an organization would require a graduate degree. I compared several programs and did some research and decided that this kind of specialized MBA program would best prepare me for the types of roles I wanted because it not only offered specialized training in Strategic HR, but also the core business expertise that I would need to be credible and successful in competitive business.

After finishing her bachelor's degree in Political Science, Justina completed an internship in Human Resources at Berbee Information Networks.  “I had the opportunity to experience just how much of an effect a company’s human capital can have on that company’s ability to succeed.  It is a powerful lever to pull, and being an HR leader will allow me the opportunity to demonstrate to businesses how much human capital management truly affects the bottom line.”

During the summer between her first and second year, Justina worked for GE Transportation as a Human Resources Leadership Program Intern.  She will join them again after graduation in the fulltime HRLP and looks forward to a career as a Human Resources leader wherein she can combine her experiences abroad and with diverse groups of people.  “The Wisconsin School of Business MBA program offers the best of both worlds: the specialized knowledge and skill development of an HR program, partnered with the strength and depth of a business program.  This program has positioned me to be exactly what I want to be – a leader and innovator in business, able to shape business strategy to leverage human capital for success and competitive advantage.  I am so glad that I made this choice! It opened doors for me that would not have been opened otherwise, and I have my dream job waiting for me upon graduation. "