Hello, my name is Jaxson Laster, and my life started off just like a lot of other seniors in
high school who did not know exactly what they wanted to do with their future. I was at a point
in my life where I was still trying to figure things out and find the right path for myself. That all
started to change when my high school went on a tour of Hago Automotive. During that visit, I
learned about the apprenticeship opportunity they were offering, and it immediately stood out to
me. After that, I went through two interviews, got accepted, and from there my life started
moving in a new direction. That opportunity led me to become a Logistics Apprentice, and it
ended up being one of the best decisions I could have made for myself.
What made me want to do the apprenticeship was my interest in logistics and how
everything works behind the scenes. I have always liked the idea of pioneering something and
being the first to take on a new path. This opportunity meant a lot to me because I became the
first logistics apprentice at Hago. I also became the first-ever graduate of the Logistics
Management Technology degree at Northeast Mississippi Community College in 2025. I liked
that this path gave me the chance to do something new while staying close to home, which made
it feel like the right decision for me and my future.
One of the biggest ways I have grown since starting this apprenticeship is by
understanding how the corporate world and the automotive industry really work. Before this, I
did not have that kind of exposure. This program helped me grow up in the business world. I
have learned how to speak in front of people, host meetings, and present things that I have
created or helped with for certain positions and processes. I honestly feel like it has given me a
big advantage for my age because a lot of people do not get this kind of real-world experience
this early.
From the apprenticeship I have had multiple accomplishments, I have earned 17 different
business and logistics related certifications through online learning, along with my Microsoft
Office Specialist Excel Associate certification, Lean Six Sigma White Belt certification, Supply
Chain Management and Capacity Planning certification, and Introduction to Collaborative
Robots certifications. I also received the Six Sigma Rising Star Award. On top of all of that, I
was accepted for a 6-week apprenticeship exchange program with our parent company in
Germany, and that was one of the biggest opportunities I have ever had. It showed me how far
this program had already taken me and how many doors it had opened for me. Another thing I
am proud of is that I will also be receiving a Journeyman from the Department of Labor as a
Logistics Engineer, which is also apart of the apprenticeship program within my company.