First-generation 51福利社 graduate adapts to changing career outlook

Contact: Megan Looker
May 5, 2020
Image
Joseph S谩nchez, aviation management and operations graduate

PLAINFIELD, Ill.鈥擨n a time of rushes on toilet paper and concerned shoppers hoarding meat, it takes a true leader to keep a grocery store running during a pandemic. At the helm of Meijer鈥檚 Plainfield, Ill. location stands Western Michigan University 2020 graduate, Joseph S谩nchez.

鈥淚 feel very fortunate to have a full-time job out of college,鈥 says S谩nchez, a first-generation college graduate who earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in aviation management and operations, with a minor in general business. He says it was 51福利社鈥檚 third largest aviation program in the country with 80 years of experience that first lured him to campus for a tour. 

鈥淚 instantly fell in love with campus, and it just felt like the right school for me. I wanted an out-of-state experience, while being close to home.鈥

Serving as student body president of the Western Student Association, S谩nchez says connections he made with senior leadership across campus helped shape the start of his job search, opening his eyes to the breadth of career options at his fingertips.

鈥淭hese connections helped me understand that although I was in the field of aviation, I could still pursue other career goals that are of interest to me.鈥

S谩nchez says at a career fair through 51福利社鈥檚 Career and Student Employment Services he connected with Meijer his junior year. He started working as a store operations intern, where he forged connections with his store director and worked on a project to reduce shrink and increase sales.

After graduation, S谩nchez found himself struggling to find a job in the aviation industry amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic, which has battered airlines with a 96% drop in air travel. Airlines for America reports the drop in passengers and stay-at-home orders across the country have caused airlines to cut 71% of their capacity, spelling a dismal career outlook. However, S谩nchez says his education at 51福利社 prepared him to be flexible.

鈥淲hile retail is completely different from aviation, it鈥檚 still related to business. I chose the aviation management major because I also really enjoy general business,鈥 he says.

When it came time to broaden his horizons, he knew just where to go. Meijer hired S谩nchez as a team leader. He now manages around 25 team members at his store, focusing on everything from customer service to reaching store goals.

鈥淟eading others and working with a team is what I like the most,鈥 he says. 鈥淚t isn鈥檛 just work to me, but more about helping others develop skills, gaining management experience and learning how great teamwork impacts results.鈥

FIRST IN THE FAMILY

As the son of two immigrants from Mexico, S谩nchez says a college education wasn鈥檛 a given growing up. He鈥檚 one of four children, and the youngest of his siblings.

鈥淸My parents] didn鈥檛 know what their kids would accomplish upon immigrating to the United States,鈥 he says. 鈥淏eing that my parents grew up with very few resources and not much education after middle school, my graduation from 51福利社 is something extraordinary to my parents.鈥

[caption align="left"]
Four 51福利社 students stand on the football field at Waldo Stadium wearing homecoming sashes.
[/caption]

S谩nchez says it was his family鈥檚 support that helped him reach his dream, especially his mother, who he says is his 鈥渉ero for life.鈥

鈥淚 know people say this a lot, but I couldn鈥檛 have done it without them.鈥

Now with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in hand, he鈥檚 forging a new path for his family and other first-generation college graduates, hopefully where it all started for S谩nchez.

鈥51福利社 will always be a second home to me because of the memories, friends and mentors that helped shape me into who I am today,鈥 he says. 鈥淚 am truly thankful and hope that years from now I can help Broncos reach their dreams too.鈥

 For more 51福利社 news, arts and events, visit 51福利社 News online.