University News

Just Hired: Aaliyah Mathis

May 7, 2026

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MACOMB, IL – Meet Aaliyah Mathis, a current Master of Business Administration student at Western Illinois University who has been hired as an Human Resource (HR) intern at Bush McCarthy Corporation. The company, Bush McCarthy Corporation, is where she will begin her professional experience in human resources, marking an exciting step forward in her career.

Mathis landed the opportunity after applying to an internship shared by her professor, Susan Stewart, who had been sending out opportunities throughout the semester. After submitting her resume, she was quickly contacted for a phone interview. Following a successful initial conversation, she advanced to a final round interview conducted via Microsoft Teams. After performing well in both stages, she was offered the HR internship.

"This opportunity is a blessing and I cannot wait to get started," Mathis said.

During her time at WIU, Mathis says she has learned the importance of persistence.

"Even when things do not look certain, still keep trying until you reach your breakthrough," she said.

She credits her major and coursework, particularly her recruiting and selection class with Stewart during the Spring 2026 semester, for helping her discover her passion for human resources. The class confirmed her interest in recruiting and solidified her desire to pursue a career in HR. Mathis also noted that the knowledge she has gained from both her undergraduate degree and her first year in the MBA program has strengthened her understanding of business and prepared her to be an asset in a professional environment.

Mathis plans to remain involved with WIU as she completes her final year in the MBA program.

For more information on WIU's MBA program, visit wiu.edu/MBA.

To share your hiring story with WIU, visit go.wiu.edu/4eVgEuw.

Posted By: Lexi Dittmar (aj-dittmar@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing