Discovering a career in recruiting

As graduation approached, Kierra McGourty found herself searching for more than just a job title. She read dozens of job descriptions and interviewed for multiple roles, but none felt like the right fit. The uncertainty left her wondering whether she would have to settle for something that did not fully align with her interests or strengths.

That changed after a conversation at Central Michigan University’s All Majors Career Fair.

“I first connected with an Aegis recruiter at the career fair,” McGourty said. “She followed up afterward, and we began with an initial phone call. From there, everything started to click.”

Before graduating in December 2025, McGourty accepted a full-time offer as a technical recruiter, bringing clarity after months of searching.

One conversation at the All Majors Career Fair changed everything

After that initial phone call, McGourty moved through a multi-stage interview process that further confirmed the fit.

She interviewed with a branch manager over Microsoft Teams, visited the office in person to meet future coworkers and participate in a panel interview, and completed the process with a virtual interview with the company’s president and CEO.

“Before that, I felt like I might have to settle for a job that did not feel right,” she said. “Nothing really clicked until I learned about Aegis.”

A role she had not heard of but one that fit her strengths

Recruiting was not originally on McGourty’s radar.

As she learned more about the role, she realized it aligned closely with the skills she most enjoyed using. “It fits relationship building, communication, teamwork, leadership and independent work,” she said. “It is a role that often goes overlooked, and I am excited to bring more awareness to it.”

She also looked forward to the structure that comes with starting her first full-time position. “What excites me most is the structure it brings, both in terms of time and financial stability,” she said.

From professional emails to panel interviews how her classes paid off

McGourty credits her coursework at both Mid Michigan College and CMU with preparing her for the professional world.

“All of my classes played a part,” she said. “From learning professional email etiquette to building confidence in interviews and presentations, my coursework helped shape me into the young professional I am today.”

Several faculty members influenced her path.

Sean Goffnett and Mark Spieles sparked her interest in logistics, which later led her to Frederick Lawrence during CMU’s core classes. His encouragement led her to join the Supply Chain Management Association, where she expanded her network.

Michael Garver’s passion for market research and willingness to meet with students helped her develop skills she later used during her summer internship. Robert Miller’s Excel course gave her practical tools she continues to use.

“He made Excel engaging,” she said. “I still use the functions I learned in class in real-world scenarios.”

Why presentations and teamwork mattered more than she realized

Presentations were one of McGourty’s biggest challenges.

“The business college incorporates presentations from the start, which forces you to become comfortable speaking in front of groups,” she said. “It was tough at first.”

She also found growth through collaboration in her core classes.

“My group earned first place,” she said. “That was extremely rewarding after all the hard work we put into the project.”

Now, as a graduate stepping into her career, McGourty encourages other CMU students to take an early and open approach to the job search.

“Start early, at least a semester ahead,” she said. “Attend networking events, keep your resume polished and talk to employers even if you are unsure.”

Those experiences, she said, build confidence and make interviews easier.

Looking for growth not just a job title

For McGourty, long-term success means continuous progress.

“My goal is constant growth,” she said. “I never want to feel stagnant.”

Her role in recruiting offers room to learn and advance, making it the right fit at the right time.