A Tactical Decision That Turned Out For The Best

Imagine working for a company simply because you want to get paid, but at the same time, want to save money on your cell phone bill. There are no other ties to it. You simply just want to be tactical with the current situation that you are in. One would think that finding a career this way, probably would not last long because you never had the intention of staying in one place. Well, here I am, 10 years later, happy to still be a T-Mobile customer AND employee! That tactical decision I made while in college, was one of the best decisions I made for my career; and here’s why…

I grew up always wanting to be a Marine. I had a good friend in elementary school that did a presentation about his dad’s experience, and I knew right away that being a Marine was something that I was destined to be. The day I turned 18, I enlisted and began the adventure. For eight years, I provided expert-level guidance and advice to junior Marines in executing tasks and functions. Along with that, I managed overall facets of government property worth $5M, ensuring seamless delivery of day-to-day training cycles. And I loved every part of it.

Being a Marine requires a lot of time, energy, discipline, and focus. While I was in the reserves, I also began my T-Mobile journey. I started as a part-time seasonal employee in Santa Barbara, California. Two months later, I got promoted to a full-time employee. T-Mobile was amazing right away. While in the reserves, I remember my first ever manager. This was the first person I ever worked for that understood and empathized that when I went off to do my drill service that it was a combat job, and I was operating tanks. She understood that I was working 23-hour workdays, four to five days straight. And when I would come back, she would always give me two days off right away.

This made me realize how much T-Mobile not only respects what I do but wants me to be great in whatever I am doing by giving me the necessary tools to succeed. In this case, sleep and rest are what made me efficient in both my jobs.

Within 4 years at T-Mobile, I became a store manager. I was a store manager for almost six years where I learned an abundance of tools and built a network that I still use today. While I was a store manager, I attended a call with Jon Freier, president of T-Mobile’s U.S Consumer Group one day and he mentioned that there was going to be a meeting in New York discussing how to better serve the veteran employees. At the end of each call, he would always say something along the lines of, “if you need anything reach out or text me.” And that is exactly what I did. Next thing I know, I am on a plane to New York, attending a meeting where I am advocating for veterans' well-being and mental health in the workplace. These are the unseen things that make T-Mobile a great place to work.

In addition to being a store manager, I was also involved in the Veterans Allies Network. This is an employee resource group for veterans and allies to connect. It started off with 10 people and grew into 12,000! I was able to meet a colleague in this group that invited me to speak at T-Mobile events about veterans. This is when I really got involved with this group. I did stretch assignments for this team for about three years, then was provided the opportunity to be a Program Manager of Military and Diversity Recruiting Programs.

These last 10 years at T-Mobile have been awesome. As a veteran, you want to work for a company like T-Mobile. I think we are in an era right now where a lot of companies are speaking up and seeing value in veterans and how they can be utilized in the workplace.

However, T-Mobile is not only making initiatives to hire veterans, but they are striving to retain veterans. The fact that T-Mobile is making policies so that military spouses can continue to work with T-Mobile despite having to relocate (from their significant others serving), is something that I feel makes T-Mobile passionate about truly valuing the work of a veteran and their loved ones.

I am thankful that T-Mobile gave me the professional development to advance my career. I started at the bottom and have worked myself up to where I am now. And I do not think this is anywhere near the end of the road for me. It does not matter what job you come in doing here, just know that T-Mobile is going to invest in you!