When Jackie Varney (‘20) walks through the doors of Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) each morning, she’s not just starting another day at work: she’s living her dream.
As a talent acquisition specialist in the plant’s human resources department, Varney spends her days welcoming new employees, guiding them through onboarding and helping them feel at home in a fast-growing workplace.
Varney’s degree in business management with an emphasis in human resources from Georgia Southern University gave her the professional foundation she needed. Varney didn’t just memorize concepts; she applied them in real life, comparing class material like employment law and staffing strategies to her retail management experiences.
“When I was at work, I would be referencing some of the things I learned in my classes,” Varney said. “I remember professors telling us stories, and now I can relate it back to a specific situation at my job.”
Graduating in 2020 during the height of COVID-19 wasn’t easy. The final semester went virtual, but Varney adapted quickly. The shift strengthened her technical skills and taught her how to thrive in unpredictable situations, which became a valuable skill for her profession.
After building HR experience in retail and dabbling in substitute teaching, Varney heard Hyundai was coming to the area. For her, the opportunity was a perfect match: a respected global company that was close to home with a role that aligned with her passion for welcoming and guiding new hires.
“I think that is one of the greatest experiences I could have asked for,” she said.
In April 2023, she was among the plant’s earliest employees.
She’s watched the facility grow from construction site to bustling operation, and she’s been at the front lines, greeting nearly every new face.
Looking back, Varney credits Georgia Southern for preparing her with the skills, confidence and local connections that made this career possible.
“They call it ‘home away from home,’” she said. “For me, it really was. I had a good education that prepared me for the workforce after college.”