Going From Ingredients at Nestlé to Hurricane Response in Houston in Two Days
How Jessica balances life as an active Military Reservist and a Raw Materials Specifications Specialist at Nestlé USA
by Brittan Maisch, Employer Brand Digital Manager
For most of us, balancing life and career can be a challenge. Now imagine that you’re not just balancing one career, but two: life as a First Sergeant in the Air Force, being called up for disaster response, along with a civilian career working to perfect ingredients at Nestlé. What happens when a hurricane hits?
Jessica has lived this incredible challenge and is a perfect example of why, at Nestlé, we love hiring and working with veterans and military personnel. We believe that skills learned in the military can be incredibly valuable in the civilian workplace — not to mention the integrity and perseverance gained from military service.
I recently spoke to Jessica, an active Military Reservist for the U.S. Air Force and Raw Materials Specifications Specialist at Nestlé in Ohio, about her experiences in the workforce and see how a Nestlé career has fit with her commitment to serving her country.
What led you to joining the military?
I always knew that I wanted to join the military. My senior year in high school a friend of mine was killed in service, and I especially felt called to join to honor him and his service. I joined immediately from high school and have been a Reservist for my full 12-year career. I’ve held civilian jobs and have been deployed four times, so juggling work, service, and family is challenging at times. I’m higher ranking so there’s a more commitment than the typical one weekend a month.
How did Nestlé become part of your story?
I’m a military person through-and-through, so I love structure. Working for a complex, impactful organization attracted me to Nestlé. When I was doing my research and learned that Nestlé is the largest food company in the world, and was leading the charge on nutrition improvements in the industry, I was really impressed. I was looking for a well-organized and stable company, and the potential to broaden my horizons, and I knew I would find that here.
The sense of teamwork and not being afraid to break down barriers is really important in the military, and it’s something I’ve tried to do here, too. I make it a point to be close to our teams and stakeholders to figure out best processes, really understand their priorities, and see if there’s anything else I can provide.
