Amber Clement’s journey is a powerful testament to how passion for people and the right educational foundation can lead to a fulfilling career. A 2007 graduate of Baker College’s Human Resources Management program with a minor in Psychology, Amber now holds the position of District Human Resources Manager for Penske Truck Leasing in the metro Detroit area—exemplifying how Baker College prepares students for real-world success.
“There are so many reasons I find HR interesting, but what initially drew me to HR was my passion for helping people,” Amber explains. Her natural curiosity about people’s career paths and her desire to match the right person with the right job made human resources a perfect fit. “I think it’s exciting to recruit the right person to match the job because it’s mutually beneficial for the individual and the employer,” she says.
Her time at Baker College’s Auburn Hills campus was transformative in building the foundation for her successful career. “My college experience helped me to develop self-direction, research, and presentation skills while also teaching me the pillars of HR,” Amber reflects. The flexibility Baker offered was crucial for Amber, who worked full-time while pursuing her degree. “I chose to do part of my degree online, and that helped me understand the importance of organization, and how to be accountable to work independently at a pace that was directed by the assignment’s level of difficulty. These are skills I use every day in my career.”
A pivotal moment in Amber’s professional journey came during her time at WOW! Internet Cable Phone, where she discovered the power of formal leadership development. “Within weeks of being promoted to a supervisory role at WOW! the application window for their leadership program opened and I applied,” she recalls. Despite being new to her role, Amber was selected for the program—a decision that would significantly impact her career trajectory. “It gave me a better understanding of the entire organization, the opportunity to have a mentor within my field, and allowed me to collaborate with employees from across the company on a value-adding project.”
Now at Penske, Amber thrives in her role as a District HR Manager, where she serves as a communication conduit throughout the organization. “Oftentimes I am a consultant to leaders as they determine how to deliver feedback to another associate,” she says. Her mantra—”It’s not about what you say, it’s about how you say it”—guides managers in delivering messages that will be well-received.
As a seasoned HR professional, Amber’s perspective on leadership has evolved throughout her career. “What I thought was a good leader has evolved, and that has helped me become a better leader to others,” she shares. She now understands that leadership isn’t about position but about embodying characteristics that inspire others—”communication, integrity, courage, problem solving, adaptability, empathy, empowerment, and more.”
Amber’s success strategies offer valuable guidance for emerging HR professionals: “Don’t let thoughts of self-doubt ruin your experience. Be prepared by looking at your deliverables for the next month, week, and day. Don’t be afraid to consult peers and coworkers when you need support on a deliverable – it’s better than being stuck.”
When faced with challenges about HR’s value in organizations, Amber advocates for a data-driven approach. “My advice on how to address the importance of HR is to use data to quantify the difference HR can make through strategic initiatives like hiring stats, turnover reporting, stay interviews, training and development, internal promotions, and more.” This evidence-based strategy has helped her demonstrate HR’s critical role in organizational success.
Reflecting on her journey from Baker College student to HR leader, Amber identifies strongly as a problem solver—a characteristic that has defined her approach to human resources. Her story exemplifies how Baker College’s practical education, combined with personal drive and continuous learning, can lead to a meaningful career making a difference in people’s professional lives.
To discover more about the Human Resources Management program that helped Amber excel in her career, and other business degree options, explore our College of Business degree programs today.