“I went right back to working with the police, which was kind of wild, because I was only a cop for about a cup of coffee prior to leaving, and that cup was still warm on the table when I left. I had to relearn everything coming back to that environment from where I was, and then I was given a car and told to go be a crimefighter.”
After a decade with the police force, Steve knew it was time for a change in career. With lingering physical issues, he craved a job with less physical stress, greater stability, and more work-life balance.
“I knew it was time for a change, and I decided to do something about it. By chance, I was connected with American Corporate Partners (ACP) in the summer of 2021. When I went to ACP’s website, they asked me for two or three industries in which I was interested. They reached out me about a month later telling me that they had a mentor match for me. That was how I got to know my mentor, Steven, and how I got to know Aramark.”
As part of the organization’s commitment to hiring military-connected talent, Aramark began a partnership with ACP in 2020. In addition to other military recruitment initiatives, this partnership allows Aramark to further bolster veteran recruitment and help members of the greater military community find their next careers.
Steven, Steve’s mentor, helped him update his resume and create a marketable LinkedIn. The pair spent time throughout the week on the phone, working through resume updates and talking about professional development opportunities.
“Once my resume was in order, I was ready to start seriously looking for a new career. I considered sales and was researching different organizations when Steven said to me, “Hey! How about Aramark?” He told me about the fantastic onboarding process and the emphasis on training for newer salespeople. Steven spoke about the journey I could have with Aramark as well, letting me know how keen the company is on recognizing and promoting talent from within. I’m a firm believer in hard work paying off, and everything Steven said really interested me.”
Steven’s mentorship and advice was invaluable in Steve’s career progression.
“I really respect that he volunteered with ACP. I haven’t forgotten about all the hours he put in just to help me figure out my next step.”
Eventually, Steve applied to work as an Account Executive with Aramark in the Boston area. He shadowed a few members of his future team, one of whom was a former Marine who he instantly connected with. After a few more interviews, Steve received an offer right before the holidays and started with Aramark in the new year.
A few months into his Aramark journey, Steve has seen the relevance of his transferrable skills from the Marines and law enforcement and how much of an asset they are in the sales field.
“There’s a lot of parallels that exist, just from the police department. You have to talk to people. In the police force, you had to use your words to navigate a situation. In sales, it’s the same way. It’s a very interpersonal – it’s a communication-heavy field. More so, I see commonalities in being able to adapt quickly. That was something I absolutely had to do in the Marines and as a police officer, and it is something I have to do daily in my role as an Account Executive.”
When considering his advice for other veterans looking to change careers, Steve sums it up with a simple statement: “Do something about it.”
Whether it was ACP, old friends, or the drive to see what else is out there, Steve wants others to know there are resources for those hoping to transition from one field to another, especially at Aramark.
“Dust your resume off, talk to friends, and know that there are people who will help you, but know that you need to take the first step. Think about what you want to pivot towards, look at admissions deadlines, and understand hiring cycles. That’s what was explained to me, and it turned out to be true. In short, do something about it and make the jump. You don’t want to live with regrets.”
To learn more about Steve’s life and journey, check out the Q&A!
