How long have you been at Serpa?
A year and seven months.
How did you find your way to Serpa?
I wanted something that was somewhere I could grow. I started putting my feet out there and this was recommended to me through a temp agency—they were so great. They recommended Serpa to me and my husband is in the packaging industry. It wasn’t out of the box to me at all, so I thought that was kind of cool.
What is a day in your life at Serpa like?
I get to start earlier than most of the people in my department, so I come in in the morning and have that first hour that’s very mellow and quiet and nice. I’ll typically run through my emails, respond to anything that needs a quick response or questions, then I’ll go back through and really prioritize my to-do list: what needs attention right now, what’s super-hot, what needs more in-depth answers or information. So I will prioritize all of that and get my tasks for the day outlined, which of course, always changes, because you’re always going to get things thrown at you.
What inspires you to succeed at your job every day?
Definitely my team! We all just work really well together and we help—if someone needs help I’ll do whatever I can even if it’s not “in my job description” or they’ll help me, vice-versa. I want to show up and I want to succeed in my position and put my best effort because that’s going to allow them to be able to do their jobs because we all work together. So if I’m not carrying my weight or not doing what I need to do, that can slow somebody else’s process, and I don’t want to do that. I’d rather always come in, jump in, do the best I can.
Second: the customers. It feels really good when somebody calls and says, “I’m down. I need this right now,” and we have to figure it out, and then maybe we find the part and it has some incredibly long lead time, and we’re going to involve purchasing, we’re going to involve other people, we’re going to get help from other departments, “Where can we get this, how can we get this faster, what can we do for them?” And then you’re able to come to them with some sort of resolution to their problem, and you can hear over the phone the stress alleviating and it feels really nice to be able to help people get their job done. It’s the same aspect of being there and putting my best effort for my team, I want to do the same thing for customers because then they get to do their jobs.
When do you have the most fun at work?
Every day! We have a blast in Aftermarket. Even if you come to work and you’re having one of those days where you didn’t want your alarm to go off, you show up and you cannot help but be positive. The entire company environment, the entire vibe and attitude here, you show up and you can’t help but smile and become positive. It gets pulled out of you in this environment. We just have a lot of fun. This is family: that is exactly how this company feels. You just can’t really show up and have a bad day. Something might be stressful in the work aspect but the environment aspect, it’s a good day.
Why did you select Serpa as opposed to another company?
I researched Serpa and was looking up everything, I wanted to know it all. This is the only company that had current employee reviews as well as past employee reviews 100% positive. I did not find one negative review. People that used to work here say they regret ever leaving, they would come back in a heartbeat if they could. People that were working here that say you can’t beat it here. I didn’t find one negative thing. I also liked on our website how we display the things we do for charity and the things we do as a company. There are pictures of employees in Halloween costumes or pictures of employees together after the Bike Assembly Contest and things like that. Never even stepping foot here or speaking to anyone from here, you could just feel the positivity about this company.
What opportunities or experiences have you most enjoyed here?
Just the learning process, really. A year and a half ago when I started, I didn’t know anything, just brand new baby to the industry and the company. And now a year and a half, I’ve gotten a promotion, I’ve been able to actually be a part of the team and be helpful and contribute because I’ve learned things. I have a lot to learn—I could not go build one of these machines—but I can offer some help with them. Still learning and seeing ahead.
If someone new were joining the team, what one piece of advice do you think they should know?
Take notes! Write everything down and ask for help because there’s not a single person here that wouldn’t offer it, wouldn’t help you, wouldn’t lend a hand. Everyone here wants to see everyone else succeed. So don’t stress and ask for help and take notes!
What is something you’ve learned or your biggest takeaway so far?
Do it right the firs time! I think some people might take that wrong, they might take that in a way where they feel pressure, “No mistakes, I gotta get it right!” But I don’t think that’s what it means at all. I think it means that if you focus, if you take the time to double check, check your process, if you go about it correctly you’re going to end up doing it right the first time. But if you’re not paying attention or not putting your best effort into it or trying to rush with any task, whether it’s mechanical or entry, whatever it is, if you don’t focus and care about what you’re doing you’re not going to get it right the first time, and all you’re doing is creating more work for yourself and probably others.
What keeps you motivated and coming to work every day?
It’s my family. I’m raising two boys. They see their dad get up, go to work every day—he comes home greasier and dirtier. And they see me and I go to work and we still do our family stuff, we still do a lot of things together. Lead by example is my biggest thing in life. I can’t teach them hard work, dedication, work ethic, I can’t teach any of that if I’m not doing that. So that’s why even though they don’t come to work with me, they don’t see me at work, it’s still important to me to get up every day, come here, and put my best effort forward because that’s what I’m trying to instill in them.
What are some of the biggest differences you’ve seen in previous places you’ve worked and Serpa?
I would say the hierarchy or superiority complex. Every job I’ve had there’s always that hierarchy of “I’m the boss,” “This is your title,” and it trickles down and that’s fine, that’s how it works, but to give off that superiority complex I think is wrong and unfair, we’re still equals as humans. I’ve never once felt that here, ever. I can sit next to somebody and never feel like my word doesn’t count or my opinion or any of that. I’ve never felt beneath anyone else or lower than anyone else. I feel like we’re all here together on the same page. That’s probably the biggest thing that I love that I’ve noticed, is the equality.
