After 10 years in the U.S Army as an Army Staff Sargent E6 noncommission Officer, Laron Harris worked a number of different jobs. After working in Detroit and Grand Rapids, Harris landed a job with Michigan Works!, and fell in love with it.
“I wanted to be apart of something bigger than myself. That is something I felt in the Army and I feel that here with Michigan Works!,” Harris said.
Harris credits where he is at now to his military experience.
“It molded me into who I am today. It is the foundation of how I operate,” Harris said.
In 1992 Harris joined the United States Army. From 1992 to 2002, Harris served his country and was stationed all over the world in places such as Germany, as well as Kentucky and Washington.
After moving up the ranks throughout his time in the Army, he was promoted to Staff Sargent E6 Noncommission Officer.
As a Staff Sargent E6 Noncommission Officer, Harris was in charge of training his troops and making sure every soldier in his platoon was always where they needed to be. Harris was also in charge of gun range safety.
In the Military, Harris learned life skills that he knew would be useful in life outside of the Army.
“Time management, discipline, and following directions are skills that are needed to be successful in the workplace. The military teaches you those things and if you can not master those skills, you will not make it in the military and you will not make it in life,” Harris said.
While in the Military, Harris was on the Army’s Boxing team, competing in Germany. Harris also “saw the world for free” when he was stationed in Europe. Harris was able to experience other cultures and explore other parts of the world, which he values heavily.
“I was basically engrained into the culture where I was stationed. When I was in Germany, I learned so much about their culture, I felt like I was part of it,” Harris said.
As far as working outside the Military, Harris said the culture of Michigan Works! is what he enjoys most about his job.
As a part of the Michigan Works! team, Harris attacks each day as he would when he was in the service.
“I try to be consistent; I hope to come into the office each day and everyone knows what they will get from me. If I come in each day and do a good job, that means Michigan Works! is doing a good job,” Harris said.
In the future, Harris see’s himself continuing to work with Michigan Works!1, hopefully with a larger role. Currently, Harris is a Talent Enrollment Specialist, but is looking forward to the opportunities that exist within Kinexus Group.
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