Whether or not it’s a great hoagie, an iced espresso to go, or a fast snack, Wawa has every thing you want and extra! Wawa has been round for over 200 years however their function goes past filling buyer orders. Wawa is dedicated to fulfilling lives daily by creating significant private connections that make an actual distinction within the lives of their clients, their associates, and the communities they serve.
Meet Erin Maiolino and Renya Korbich, two younger professionals who work at Wawa. Right here at Campus Philly, we bought to ask Erin and Renya just a few questions and study extra about their journey and what it’s wish to be an worker at Wawa. Plus, we additionally bought some recommendation, suggestions, and tips on learn how to be a part of the Wawa staff…maintain studying to seek out out extra about Erin, Renya, and Wawa!
Meet Erin
Hello my identify is Erin, I used to be born in Northeast Philadelphia however grew up in South Jersey. Except for my household being from the realm, the chance that the town affords retains me right here! I graduated from Rowan College with a bachelor’s diploma, majoring in public relations with a minor in strategic communications. Some issues I love to do for enjoyable are spend time with my household, do yoga, take heed to music and browse.
Meet Renya
Hello my identify is Renya, I grew up in a small city known as New Tripoli, Pennsylvania and moved to West Chester, PA after I was 18 to attend West Chester College of Pennsylvania. I studied Media and Tradition, which is a pathway below communication research. For my undergraduate, I additionally had two concentrations in video manufacturing and strategic media.
I used to be enrolled within the accelerated bachelors to masters program the place I obtained my undergraduate (with 1/4th of my masters) in three years. I’ve my Digital Media Advertising and marketing certificates and I’m now finishing my postgraduate diploma (nonetheless at WCU) in communication research the place I plan to graduate in December of 2025 and can start acquiring my doctorate to check interpersonal relationships.
I really like any type of artwork, particularly by phrases. I am going to the gymnasium for lifting day by day, work three jobs (one at Wawa, one weekend job at a Mexican quick meals joint, and advertising for college), and attend fulltime for my masters, so I’m fairly busy. However in my free time I really like exploring new cities and cities, studying something from random tidbits to academia analysis, appreciating totally different mediums of artwork, and creating something, like writing or pictures. My present endeavors embody writing for my Substack the place I write about matters starting from artwork, tradition, interpersonal relationships, life classes, and getting collectively supplies for my thesis. I’m making an attempt to expertise every thing life has to supply!
What has been the perfect half about launching your profession at Wawa?
Erin
The perfect half about launching my profession at Wawa has been the tradition and the folks. Except for the dear work expertise, my favourite half has been attending to see firsthand how Wawa helps and appreciates staff in any respect ranges and actually implements their values. I feel it’s unusual to return throughout a big company firm that stays true to that.
Working at Wawa has additionally taught me to worth the group and to not be afraid to ask for steering. Wawa is constant within the methods they help the group in such an inspiring means, and my friends and coworkers by no means fail to remind me to discover a chance outdoors of my consolation zone. I recommend students and up to date grads ought to apply to open roles at Wawa as a result of everyone seems to be genuinely there to help and develop your expertise!
Renya
I used to be actually fortunate to have skilled three totally different avenues in Wawa whereas solely being on the firm for below two years. I initially started as a Buyer Service Affiliate after which had the pleasure of working within the Retailer Operations Run Workforce as an intern over the summer time the place I labored with my colleagues on standardization processes and templating. From there, I moved into the Affiliate Service Heart the place I proceed to supply customer support with a mixture of human useful resource abilities as we roll out new packages to greatest help our staff. I’ve had the honor of assembly and introducing myself to many unimaginable clients and colleagues, and it makes me tremendous comfortable to be a part of such a terrific staff.
My in-store expertise additionally allowed me to attach with a number of the most fantastic clients and associates whereas being arms on within the area. Company work has taught me lifelong exhausting and comfortable abilities—from working with numerous softwares and packages, to studying superb folks abilities like battle decision or management. Wawa has solely ever supported and nurtured my progress, each personally and professionally and I feel that each individual ought to attempt to work for each retailer operation and company positions as a result of there may be all the time one thing to study.
Stroll us by “a day within the life” on the job.
Erin
My short-term position with the general public relations and group care staff entails just a few totally different elements. I assist in managing Wawa’s in-kind donations and supporting Group Care occasions of our Nationwide Companions resembling The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or Breakthrough T1 D the place Wawa professionalvides the group with free espresso. As well as, I supported Wawa’s Grand Openings which gathered the group on opening day to welcome clients with free t-shirts, free espresso and a ribbon reducing ceremony that honors on a regular basis heroes with a “Hoagies for Heroes” hoagie constructing competitors! The day earlier than a retailer opens, Wawa hosts an occasion known as “Household Night time,” the place associates and their households go to the shop earlier than it formally opens. I had the chance to guide a Household Night time occasion and Grand Opening on the finish of my expertise.
Renya
I work within the Affiliate Service Heart which is the inner customer support line for the associates. My days are full of work between taking calls, answering emails, or assist tickets which are logged. I work within the Recruiting Workforce, so numerous my work offers with candidates, new hires, or managers which are hiring associates and the work and points actually range, which make the job actually thrilling. Some issues I come throughout are expertise points, consumer errors, or issues which are a studying expertise for both my staff or the supervisor.
What sort of candidate is Wawa in search of?
Erin
I imagine Wawa appears to be like for individuals who imagine and stay their 6 core values. People who find themselves pleasant, inventive, hardworking, and people who are continually trying to develop and study. I feel one thing that stands out on a resume is tailoring earlier experiences to what you have an interest in doing. It’s not all the time about what you’ve accomplished, however what you might be able to doing!
Renya
I feel that Wawa is in search of somebody who aligns with the corporate’s values. Everybody I’ve met, each in-store and at company, is tremendous all the way down to Earth they usually actually care about one another. I feel a mixture of each exhausting and comfortable abilities are desired. Our candidates are very certified folks, and we’re fortunate to have so many candidates, however we particularly like to see folks come from in-store as a result of they’ve already been with the corporate and are household.
Do you’ve any suggestions, tips, or recommendation for folk keen on working at Wawa?
Erin
Recommendation I might give to somebody keen on working at Wawa is to use the assets they provide and don’t be afraid to ask for assist. Wawa has a ton of assets out there for progress and alternative in any respect ranges and individuals are actually there to information you. Getting concerned and nurturing relationships is basically helpful!
Renya
I feel that it’s vital to not quit. There’s a place for everybody, whether or not it’s in-store or at company. I knew that I wished to get into company however I began in-store and cherished that place, and waited till there have been alternatives on the company degree. There are numerous other ways folks can get to their finish purpose, and every thing is a constructing block. Positions open up on a regular basis, so it is very important maintain an eye fixed out!
Wawa is an unimaginable place to work for as a result of Wawa actually cares about their associates. Being part of such an vital and complex staff actually permits me to see the innerworkings of the corporate, and all of my teammates spend their days ensuring our associates are taken care of. Wawa has so many groups and areas that each STEM and Liberal Arts college students have a spot in, and it actually is an organization that values folks.
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When you’re impressed by Erin and Renya’s tales and recommendation, and are contemplating a profession at Wawa, we invite you to discover their careers web page. And, in fact, try the Campus Philly for helpful assets that will help you navigate your profession path and put together on your subsequent interview. You possibly can join with Erin on LinkedIn right here and join with Renya on LinkedIn right here. Plus, try Erin’s web site right here and Renya’s Substack right here!