HFC and Amazon help Paulette Pawa pursue computer science dreams

Through its partnership with HFC, Amazon will support its employees with tuition assistance of up to $5,200 annually to complete degree and certification programs at the College.

Any academic program at HFC is eligible to be funded. “You do not have to be seeking a degree that specifically supports your work at Amazon,” said HFC Program Manager for Workforce Development Cassandra Myers. “Amazon employees are able to utilize this benefit to explore new skills and career opportunities.”

One such employee is HFC student Paulette Pawa, of Westland, who has worked at Amazon for three years at its Romulus facility. At Amazon, Pawa has been trained as a:

• Process Guide: She helps manage a department, helping with tasks like picking and stowing, and answering questions from other associates.
• Learning Ambassador: She trains, mentors, and supports new hires and peers, fostering a culture of continuous improvement by sharing best practices, coaching on processes, and helping advance Amazon's business principles.
• Amnesty Floor Monitor: She is responsible for removing obstructions, fixing jammed items, troubleshooting robotics (drives, conveyors, scanners), and ensuring smooth, safe operations in automated areas.

“HFC’s partnership with Amazon makes it easier for me to balance work and school full-time by offering flexible scheduling and tuition support. The College has resources that align with my long-term career goals, such as transferring to a four-year university,” said Pawa. “I’m able to maintain my job benefits, request school schedule accommodations to attend my classes, complete my coursework, and stay on track toward earning my associate degree. At the same time, I’m able to support myself.”

Amazon’s partnership with HFC provides its employees with the means to further their careers

The sixth of eight children, Pawa was born in Monrovia, Liberia in West Africa. Her family moved to the United States when she was 6. A graduate of Thurston High School in Redford Township, she is studying computer science at the College, where she is a member of the Black Student Union. After she graduates from HFC in 2027, Pawa will transfer to Eastern Michigan University and finish her bachelor’s degree in computer science.

“I was originally interested in social work and psychology,” she said. “Over time, as I learned more about myself and what I like, I realized that I’m drawn more to technology and data. I enjoy problem-solving, helping people, and working with computer systems. Computer science fits my strengths and interests, offers endless learning and long-term career opportunities. That’s what inspired me to switch majors. HFC’s partnership with Amazon has made it possible for me to complete my career goals. My career goal is to work in IT support and become a data analyst. Eventually, I would like to have my own business.”

Myers encourages Amazon employees to consider the tuition-assistance program. "It is commendable that Amazon supports employees’ educational goals, provides scheduling flexibility to promote a balanced work-school life, and offers up to $5,200 annually,” she said. “They are providing resources and tools to their employees to develop their careers. More than 500 Amazon team members at HFC have taken advantage of this opportunity."

For questions or more information about HFC’s partnership with Amazon, contact Myers at 313-317-6604 or cmyers17@hfcc.edu.