Today we recognize all veterans who have served our country, past and present. In honor of Veteran’s Day, we interviewed WSI’s own Brent Rogers (Payroll Coordinator), retired US Army Corporal, to learn more about his military experience.

What motivated you to join the military? How did you choose your branch of service?

I joined up because I wanted to serve my country and for the adventure. Both my father and grandfather served in the U.S. Army, so it was a pretty easy choice for me when I decided to enlist.

Tell us a little about your time in boot camp.

Boot camp was ten weeks long at Fort Leonardwood, Missouri. The first three weeks were pretty rough, but once you get used to the routine it wasn’t too bad. You learn a lot of things in a very short amount of time there (land navigation, first aid, rifle marksmanship, etc,) Our drill sergeants yelled and screamed a lot, but once we neared graduation they would mostly act as mentors to us. They all had served multiple tours overseas and were exemplary soldiers. One of them shook hands with me after I graduated, and I was pretty proud of that.

What was your primary job after training?

My primary job was being a motor transport operator and I was attached to a field artillery unit. Our main mission was to haul and distribute fuel and ammunition to the cannon crews.

Where did you serve the majority of your time in service?

Most of my time was spent at Fort Custer over in Battle Creek. We also spent time up north at Camp Grayling when we had a field training exercise.

What rank are you most proud to have earned, and why?

The rank I was most proud of was being a corporal, which is an NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer). NCOs are considered to be the backbone of the army. They take orders given from officers and ensure that the soldiers within their squad or team get them completed. I felt pretty proud to have that responsibility.

Which medals or citations are you most honored to have received, and why?

The medal I was most honored to receive is called the Broadsword Service Medal. It’s awarded to those who have completed four or more years in the Michigan Army National Guard. I thought it was pretty neat since it’s only awarded to soldiers who served in Michigan. 

Tell me about some of the special people you met.

One of the coolest aspects of being in the army is that you get to meet people from all walks of life. One of my best friends in the Army came here from Mexico and actually got his citizenship when he was in boot camp, which is pretty cool!

What was the best and worst ‘military’ food you were served, and why?

The best meal I ever had was steak, mashed potatoes with gravy and biscuits. We were at Fort Irwin, California for a month and had just gotten back from a two-week field training exercise in the desert. It just tasted really good after eating nothing but cold rations for two weeks. The worst meal I had was powdered eggs and what looked like undercooked bacon for breakfast once. The eggs looked pretty gross because they were green, but we ate them anyway haha.

Any funny stories you experienced that could only happen in the military?

One funny story comes to mind. In boot camp, they taught us how to throw a hand grenade. You stand inside a low concrete square with an instructor, throw the grenade, and duck behind the barrier to shield yourself from the explosion. Well, this one guy in our platoon chucked the grenade too low, it hit the barrier and bounced back. The instructor grabbed the guy by his collar and dove out of the barrier. The guy got yelled at a lot and they made him run laps around the barracks when we got back later that day. Everyone thought it was pretty hilarious at the time.

What are some ways civilians can honor Veterans not just on Nov. 11, but every day?

I think the best thing civilians can do to honor those who served is to volunteer and try to become an asset to both our country and our community.

How did your military experience affect your life today?

Well, I never can sleep in past 7 am nowadays haha. All joking aside, the military taught me some pretty important values like honor, courage, and commitment. I try to bring those values to my job here at WSI.

Brent, thank you for your service and for sharing your experience!

The “You Don’t Have to Work Here to Get Paid” Event!

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WSI -Workforce Strategies, Inc., an award-winning staffing and recruitment firm, has just announced their “You Don’t Have to Work Here to Get Paid” referral program has been extended through August 31st. Participants can refer jobseekers to WSI for the chance to win up to $1,500! (No WSI affiliation required.) 

How it Works

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Extended through August 31st, earn a referral payout for anyone we put to work by the end of the month as follows:

Ready to get started?

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The “You Don’t Have to Work Here to Get Paid” Referral program is open to all; entrants do not need to be a current WSI associate. Complete details and a referral form can be found at www.www.wsitalent.com/referrals/

College is expensive and if you’re not totally sure what you want to spend your life doing, college might not be the place for you. Consider finding a job through a staffing agency. You can find seasonal, summer work or we can help you find a temporary job that turns into permanent work.

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We all want a job that makes us want to jump out of bed in the morning. But when navigating the workforce, it’s inevitable at some point to accept a role that just isn’t a great fit for you. And that’s ok! Maybe you don’t respond well to the company’s management style or the work schedule doesn’t fit your needs. Whatever the reason may be, we want to help you find a job you love. After all, we’re in the business of empowering people to live their best lives, and it is February. 

So if your new job assignment isn’t working for you, the worst thing to do is become what we consider a “no-call-no-show”. We’ve seen time and time again associates who have been placed on assignment, only to not show up for work on Day 2 and ghost us when we reach out because they don’t enjoy their job and are afraid of getting yelled at, demeaned, or blacklisted. We at WSI Staffing cannot stress this enough: If you don’t like the assignment you’ve been given, that’s okay! We want to fix the situation and find something else that’s a better fit for you. 

What to Do if You Hate Your Job Assignment

1. Talk to Your WSI Account Manager

If you decide the job just isn’t for you, give your Account Manager a call. They won’t be mad or berate you. They will talk you through your options and help to resolve any conflicts that arose on the job. 

2. Identify What Went Wrong

When talking with your WSI Account Manager, try to find what it was exactly that you didn’t like about the job. Knowing why you want to leave your job will help you find what to look for in the next one. 

3. Leave on Good Terms

You don’t want to burn any bridges for future opportunities. While leaving a job can be uncomfortable, it’s important to do it on good terms. That means giving as much notice as possible and speaking with your WSI Account Manager to discuss the details of your departure. 
Americans on average spend 90,000 hours of their life working. That’s a huge chunk of your life to be stuck in a job you hate. So give us a call, we’re here to help you thrive.

“So…how do I get paid?”

It’s probably one of the most asked questions we hear on a daily basis from our eager new employees. The days of paper checks are gone and getting paid is now more simple than ever. WSI associates have the option of being paid via direct deposit to their bank account or a rapid! PayCard.

The rapid! PayCard is an easy and safe alternative for direct deposit. You’ll be paid directly through your card and can use it to make purchases, pay bills, and even get cash from ATMs. If you change jobs down the road, you can also continue to use the card through your next employer and you can change from your payment method to direct deposit at any time.

How Do I Get Started with My Card?

Your WSI staffing coordinator will issue your pay card in the office before your first day of employment. Once activated, you’ll be able to use it immediately. Funds will be automatically loaded onto your card every payday.

You have three simple options to activate your rapid! PayCard.

1. Download the free app – rapid!Access (available on both Apple and Android) 
2. Log onto www.rapidfs.com
3. Call Cardholder Services at (888) 727-4314. 

Where Can I Use My Card?

You can use your rapid! Payard anywhere that accepts MasterCard. You can make purchases in-person or online, withdraw cash from AllPoint and MoneyPass ATMs, transfer funds to a traditional bank account, set up an interest-bearing savings account, order additional companion cards for family and friends at no charge, and receive cash back with the Cash Back Rewards program. 

(Pro tip: When pumping gas, it’s best practice to prepay with the cashier inside. If you choose to pay at the pump, some gas stations may put a hold of $100 on your card that can last up to 24 hours.)

How Do I Check My Balance?

There are several convenient ways to check your account balance. You can log into the rapid!Access app, visit the rapid! Pay website, or call (888) 727-4314 to use the automated system or speak to a customer service representative. 

What Should I Do if My Card is Lost or Stolen?

It happens to the best of us. But you’ll have peace of mind knowing your money is protected and you aren’t responsible for unauthorized transactions thanks to MasterCard’s Zero Liability Policy. If your card is lost or stolen, just call 1-877-380-0980 to inform a representative and request a new one. 

But don’t take our word for it, check out these real user testimonies. 

Meet Anthony Matteson. 

Anthony is a production employee at Package Right in Tipton, IN. “It’s easy work and there’s always something new to learn,” Anthony says, “I really like the people I work with.” 

Earlier this summer, Anthony referred a friend to WSI Tipton, which earned him an automatic entry into a drawing for free rent. Little did he know, that small act paid off big time. 

“Anthony was shocked to be named our second winner of the Free Rent Referral program,” says Moriah Morrisett, WSI Tipton Branch Manager. “When we called to give him the good news, he asked if it was some kind of joke. We were delighted to tell him it was very real!” Anthony went on to say that winning this free rent is a blessing and couldn’t come at a better time. 

Congratulations Anthony on winning free rent! Thank you for the referral and all that you do. We are so excited for all the great things ahead for you and the Package Right Family!

The Free Rent Referral program is open to all; entrants do not need to be a current WSI associate. Our first winner of the program was Yesenia Varela, a Machine Operator at Roskam Baking Company and WSI Grand Rapids Associate. The final winner will be announced soon. 

Complete details and a referral form can be found at https://www.wsitalent.com/rent. 

We get it. There are staffing agencies on every block that promise to get you in and out with a new job you’ll love. But how can you weed through the masses to find an agency that will truly listen to your needs and care about what you want out of a career? We’re not gonna lie: we think WSI is the best company to work for. But we want you to see it for yourself.

1. The Proof is in the Pudding

Don’t take our word for it. Averaging a 4.8-star rating, our Google reviews showcase exactly why associates continue to choose WSI.  

Alexis Smith – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Lindsay called me today about an application I had put in. She was very knowledgeable on the positions, and just overall so enjoyable to talk to. I’ve worked with other agencies before and the experience was never positive. I never had one even ask me what I would want out of a job. She truly seemed to care about my well being in a job instead of just throwing me somewhere without a second thought into what I would want or be good at. I already told her thank you for being so sweet on the phone, but I felt like other people should know too if they apply to WSI. I could tell Lindsay cares about other people and wants them to succeed and that was just really impressive to me coming from a temp agency considering my previous experiences.

Justin Suiter – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I was really in need of a good job that I felt would appreciate me. When I walked into WSI, I was greeted with care and professionalism. They made me feel like I had value and treated me as such. Because these wonderful ladies work so hard, I now have a great job that pays well. Walking into WSI Talent is the best and smartest thing I’ve done all year. Thank you, WSI for this amazing opportunity. I wanted to mention, Ashley, Kristina, and Gabby thank you so much. You are changing my life.

Tyler Wilson – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

WSI helped me find an opportunity to gain knowledge and experience in my field of studies. I’m an Engineering Management student at Western Michigan University. What’s important to you is very important to them. I just want to thank Taylor for helping me put my foot in the door.

2. Onsite WSI Representative

Picture this: You just scored an awesome new job through a staffing agency. You go through orientation and are ready to rock your first day… until you realize you’re unsure of how to read the schedules and clock in correctly. Cue freak out. 

Don’t worry. When you accept a role through WSI, you’ll be introduced to your Onsite Staffing Coordinator who will be onsite regularly. They are there to coach, counsel, and assist you with any questions or concerns you may have. Having an Onsite Coordinator available helps minimize the growing pains that are bound to come with being a new employee. With their help, you’ll go from newbie to pro in no time!

3. Relationships

It’s the relationships that are built through the job placement process that really set us apart from the rest. From the moment you walk through our doors to apply, to the day you’re hired in, and for the entirety of your assignment, we’re here for you. We understand the power of a positive and fulfilling workplace. We live and breathe it every day, and love helping others experience it too. That’s why it’s our purpose to empower our associates to live their best lives. 

When speaking to his account manager Lindsey Casey, WSI associate Steven B. said he’d encourage other job seekers to use WSI because we’re  a “great agency where the staffing associates always work hard to help you find gainful employment.”

We know the common perception of staffing agencies, but we’re here to tell you that they’re not all the same. We invite you to experience the world of staffing, the WSI way.