Andrea is one of five kids, and she watched each of her siblings head off to work. A job of her own was never a question. It was a plan.
Twenty-three years ago, that plan led Andrea to Hannaford. Today, she’s a produce associate with a team she’s proud of, work she enjoys and goals she’s still working toward.
Getting Her Start
Andrea had experience working and volunteering in a variety of settings, which gave her perspective on what she wanted. With help from Michelle Cutting, who was an employment specialist with Aspire Living & Learning at the time and now serves as director of adult services in Massachusetts, she found a job at Hannaford, working the front-end bagging groceries and collecting carts
Starting her new role came with a mix of excitement and nerves. She had new responsibilities to learn, and she wasn’t sure how she’d do talking with unfamiliar people.
The nerves didn’t last long. Andrea settled in quickly and became an instant favorite of the cashiers and customers.
Finding the Right Fit
Andrea liked bagging groceries, but after almost four years, the days had started to feel the same, and collecting carts in all kinds of weather wasn’t always easy. At home, she loved to bake, and she wondered if she could do it at work, too.
With Michelle’s help, Andrea sat down with her manager and HR to explain what she enjoyed, what she was good at and what she’d need help learning in the bakery department, like running the ovens and spelling words on cakes. It was also important to her to know there would be a safety net if the new role didn’t work out.
She applied, interviewed and moved to the bakery. Over the next two and a half years, the ovens came easily but writing on cakes never quite did. To her, it was a sign to explore a new role.
So, Andrea and Michelle took another look at which parts of each job she loved and which didn’t feel like the right fit. Andrea knew she still wanted a role where she could talk with and help customers, without the detailed handwork that writing on cakes required. By then, Andrea had gotten to know the produce manager, since the two often worked the same shifts. When a spot opened up, she applied.
Produce clicked right away. Andrea quickly learned where everything belonged and found ways to make the space work for her. The displays are deep and sometimes tall, so she asked for a step stool and a cart that keeps boxes from stacking over her head.
“I just feel more confident and comfortable in produce,” she said.
A Team That Feels Like Hers
Finding the right role is part of what’s kept her at Hannaford, but for Andrea, the best part of work is the people she works alongside.
“Being part of a great team with them makes me proud and happy,” she said.
It’s a big reason she’s stayed 23 years. Andrea credits her coworkers and managers, and the understanding they’ve built together over time.
Her coworkers include her in lunches and dinners after a shift, and they respect when she needs alone time to recharge. And when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Andrea was honored to work straight through it alongside her team as an essential worker, something she was proud to do.
She’s come a long way from the shy new hire who once worried about talking with people she didn’t know. Today, she knows the store and her team well. So, when Hannaford needed someone to capture its culture in onboarding videos, Andrea was a natural choice.
Still Growing After 23 Years
Staying in the same department doesn’t mean she’s stopped challenging herself. Andrea is eager to learn new processes, volunteers to help wherever she can and isn’t afraid to ask questions. She wants to do her best, and she’ll do what it takes to get there.
When she wonders if she’s focusing on the right things, or how to stay on task when a shift gets busy, she checks in with Alondra Casiano, an employment development specialist with Aspire.
Alondra is one of many resources Andrea can turn to when she needs support. She stops by the store once or twice a week to check in, talk through questions and helps Andrea and her managers stay on the same page.
“Andrea has the work handled,” Alondra says. “What matters is that she knows I’m there if something comes up.”
This year, Andrea is working on trusting her skills and judgment a little more, so she can lean on that reassurance a little less. Her latest goal gives her a chance to practice just that: getting the nut shelves organized to perfection.
One of Her Many Places
For Andrea, work is one part of her life that is filled with things that matter to her. It brings people who know her, pride in what she does, money that supports the life she chooses, and support to turn to when things get hard.
At Hannaford, Andrea has found a role that works for her and a team she’s proud to be part of. And she’s become an important part of that team, too. Along the way, she’s learned what she likes, spoken up about what she needs and continued to set goals for herself.
“I’m confident, friendly and independent, and that’s enough,” she says. “You can show up as yourself and find a place to belong.”
Did Andrea’s story resonate with you? Whether you’re looking for employment supports for yourself or someone you love, or you’re an employer ready to build a more inclusive team, we’re here to help. Start a conversation with us.