WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — When Chasity Mack walked into the Robins Air Force Base job fair last spring, she never imagined her life was about to change dramatically.
A mechanical engineer with years of experience manufacturing school buses, Mack arrived at the event with a mix of hope and nervous excitement. She knew the competition would be fierce, with hundreds of candidates vying for positions.
"I knew that I had to be confident in myself," Mack said. "Although I knew there were so many other engineers, I had to represent and sell myself."
The job fair, held at the Museum of Aviation, was meticulously organized. Candidates were sorted into lines based on their professional disciplines, with recruiters calling out specific career fields. When the engineering group was announced, Mack stepped forward, ready to showcase her skills.
Her strategy worked.
During the streamlined direct hiring process, Mack impressed recruiters with her industrial engineering background and personable demeanor. Within hours, she went from job seeker to mechanical engineer at Robins Air Force Base.
The transition wasn't just a career move, but a strategic life decision for Mack and her family. Her husband works in the Bibb County school system, and they have two young children ages three and five. The new position offered stability and benefits that her previous role in private industry could not.
"In private industry, sometimes you don't get sick leave," Mack explained. "It's just 15 days for the year and good luck. Now, I have sick leave and annual leave. If my kids are sick, I can use it."
Brian Beebe, a technical advisor at the base, said Mack's experience was exactly what they needed. The base is facing a significant workforce transition, with many experienced engineers nearing retirement.
"Without direct hire, we would not be able to supplement or replace them as fast," Beebe said. The base seeks engineers across multiple disciplines, from industrial and mechanical to electrical and chemical engineering.
Mack's current role is critical to base operations. She works in plant services, focusing specifically on fall protection. Her responsibilities include conducting safety surveys and ensuring mechanics have proper equipment when performing maintenance in areas four feet or higher.
"I love helping people," Mack said. "I love making people feel safe. The mechanics know they can come to me, and if I can't help them directly, I'll find someone who can."
For Mack, the job represents more than a career change. It means better work-life balance and the ability to support her family more effectively. Her passion and dedication were evident from the moment she was hired.
"When I got here, I just felt like I was at home," Mack said. "I don't leave work feeling exhausted and tired with nothing to give my family."
The direct hiring process at Robins Air Force Base offers a unique opportunity for professionals like Mack to transition into meaningful careers serving national defense. It provides an accelerated path to employment that traditional hiring methods cannot match.
The next Robins Air Force Base job fair is scheduled for Dec. 12 at the Macon Coliseum, with a registration deadline of Dec. 2.