Jeanne Benck

My first professional work experience out of college was in retail management in a discount department store. After working in four stores in five years, I decided to find a more stable situation as I was tired of moving! I landed a job with Wisconsin State Government, working as a Personnel Specialist for the WI Department of Employment Relations. While there, I wore many hats. I became a Team Leader, supervising other Personnel Specialists; then became a Policy Advisor, working on statutes, administrative rules and other policies. Finally, I became the Assistant Division Administrator and supervised staff who perfomed Human Resources functions for State Government agencies, employees and job applicants. In 2001, I was asked to serve a one-year interchange with the Department of Workforce Development's Human Resources office, and made the move to assist with managing HR programs and staff here. I never left! Before my one year interchange was done, I had been offered and accepted my current position, supervising staff who perfom staffing, classification and compensation work. I think my experience exemplifies how anyone can advance in a Wisconsin State Government agency....