Staffing executive finds passion for helping others through career connections

When Nick Brezina graduated from Central Michigan University in 2014 with a degree in general management and a minor in applied business communication, he already had a clear idea of where his path might lead.

“A big part of why I landed where I did was because I worked for CMU Career Services,” Brezina said. “I was part of the mock interview program, and for one year I served as the student coordinator. I got to be in an environment where I worked with employers and hiring managers, hearing directly how they make decisions and what they look for in interviews—and I really fell in love with that.”

That experience led him into agency recruiting, a field he hadn’t known much about as a student. Today, Brezina works at Recruitment Management Consultants, an IT staffing and placement agency, where he focuses on building long-term relationships with both employers and candidates.

“It’s really unique because we can be assisting several organizations at once, across all types of positions and experience levels,” he said. “I just loved the idea that I can help people find their career path and also help organizations find the people they need along the way.”

Brezina compares the staffing executive’s role to other trusted professionals. “It’s kind of like having a real estate agent helping you find a house,” he said. “Everybody’s got a doctor, everybody’s got a dentist—you should also have a career person. Build that trust so even if we’re not placing you in a job, you still have someone you can call and say, ‘I’m seeing this in the market. What does it mean? What should I be studying to become more marketable?’”

That focus on relationships goes back to his time on campus, where professors and mentors supported his growth. “I stayed in touch with Dr. Melton. He was a great mentor while I was there and even beyond,” Brezina said. “Looking back, I’ve always tried to keep in touch with people who made an impact—what did I learn from them, and what can I pass on to others?”

When asked for advice for current students, Brezina emphasizes getting out of the classroom and into professional spaces. “I would tell students to get out there,” he said. “Go to networking events, go to career fairs, and just get comfortable being uncomfortable. When you’re interviewing for that first job, part of it is going to be, ‘What have you done outside of your courses?’ It speaks volumes if you can say, ‘I went to every career fair,’ or ‘I joined a local sales or technology meetup.’ Those experiences add to your education.”

Brezina’s professional journey shows how skills built in a student role can lead to a career of impact. As he put it: “It really was a great transition to what I’m doing now. I’ve just felt prepared.”