Jenny Hofler is an outstanding leader wherever she goes, whether that’s in her role as Director of Early Career Talent Programs, Global TA at MetLife, or as a powerful thought leader on LinkedIn and at recruitment events. She is a self-described passionate advocate of early-in-career-talent, especially the intern and analyst population, who are vital to the success of her company. She is currently responsible for MetLife’s University Recruiting initiatives from a Talent Acquisition perspective, and the program management and delivery of the MetLife Technical University (MTU) 10-week Summer Internship Program. She has worked in the campus recruiting space for over a decade, and has found the career to be extremely rewarding. Jenny especially loves supporting candidates in their career journeys and building and sustaining relationships.
RippleMatch is thrilled to recognize Jenny as an outstanding leader in our community. Whenever RippleMatch hosts an event, we love to see that Jenny has registered, because we know she’ll facilitate great conversation and leave with meaningful connections. In our recent Networking Luncheon for Women in Insurance, Jenny stood out as a mentor, giving advice to the women in her breakout session who were newer to the industry. Her attention to detail and the amount of care she takes in her interactions with others makes it clear what kind of leader she is in the workplace and beyond. We asked Jenny about what makes her proud to work in campus recruiting, and what advice she’d give to a new leader.
L: What's something that your team has accomplished in the past year that you're proud of?
J: We partnered with our MetLife Investment Management (MIM) colleagues to create the Future Leaders Program externship experience, which was an inaugural program focused on opportunities for freshman and sophomore talent to learn more about Real Estate and Agricultural Investments, receive mentorship and build relationships with MetLife. The program was delivered in July, and the externs participated in a robust virtual experience, networked, deepened their corporate exposure and experiences, and were invited to apply for MIM summer internship roles--a number of whom will now join MetLife as summer interns! This experience was an exciting initiative to collaborate with our colleagues on, and we met amazing talent individuals from across the country. I believe we will endeavor to emulate this program in the future!
L: Why are you proud to be a leader in the campus recruitment space?
I absolutely LOVE working in the campus recruiting realm. I am in AWE of the talent we have the great opportunity to partner with on a daily basis. Students bring a zest, fire, and energy that is unparalleled! They are filled with potential, excitement and possibilities! I feel so lucky that I have had the chance to meet SO many absolutely incredible students through my role and to develop relationships with them as they begin their career journeys-- I love to keep in touch with them (as well as the faculty and career services partners on campus) and celebrate students' successes. I am consistently energized, challenged, thrilled, and overjoyed to work with such dynamic, intellectually-stimulating, amazingly talented, wonderful candidates--I can truly say I love working in this space and am so passionate to advocate for the vital importance of investing in early-in-career talent.
L: What advice would you give a new leader?
I'd recommend that a new leader host a coffee-chat with interns and analysts - because early-in-career talent ask amazing poignant questions, and they plant the seed in senior leadership's minds about ideation and possibilities that may not have previously been considered. There is also a vivacious energy experienced during these sessions that is unmatched, and I think the senior leader may walk away feeling extremely excited and fulfilled from the experience of partnering with early-in-career employees - they bring a plethora to the table and they exude infectious energy!
*RippleMatch is recognizing standout individuals in talent acquisition through our D&I Champion, Program Innovator, and Outstanding spotlights. Know any standout individuals who should be recognized? Please submit their info through this survey.