Alexis took part in our Talent Acceleration Program (TAP) here at PetSmart. This program helps associates partner with leaders and take part in developmental learnings in order to help advance their career. Learn more about her #LifeAtPetSmart and experience as a TAP associate below!
Tell us a bit about your PetSmart journey and career path – where did you start, where are you now, and how did you get there?
Alexis: I started with PetSmart as an intern while working on my MBA at Syracuse University (Go Orange!). My internship was with Store Operations focused on associate continued education and enhanced communication tools. I was offered a full-time role at the end of internship and decided to pack my bags to move across the country. While working in Ops, I always knew I wanted to get into the training space. Fortunately, my mentor during my internship was the manager over Learning and Development. She reached out to me sharing there was an opening on the team to apply. I fell in love with being a Learning Consultant. I got to lead the design and develop of learning solutions, partner across the business with different teams, and measure my business impact. I built my development plan to become a manager on the team and was promoted. I’ve been the manager over the learning team for almost two years now.
Can you tell us about your experience as a TAP associate?
Alexis: It was great! I got a project focused on the importance of how to onboard a new associate as a manager. Through my project I learned about the technical and administrative pieces of welcoming a new team member. It taught me there’s a whole different layer of leadership that is often overlooked since it’s not as “glamorous.”
What did you gain from the TAP associate program or how did the TAP Associate program affect your career at PetSmart?
Alexis: The TAP Program got me promoted! It was such an incredible program to meet others who, like me, wanted to take that next step. We were able to learn best practices and solution any roadblocks together.
Are there any leaders or mentors that have been helpful along the way as your career has progressed you’d like to shout-out?
Alexis: Tracy Mendes has literally been my mentor since Day 1. She started as a mentor, became a manager, and remains a mentor I will keep for my entire career. Thank you Tracy for being the best confidant, always solution-focused, and pushing me forward even when I was afraid I couldn’t.
Why do you love your life at PetSmart or what are some of your favorite parts?
Alexis: I love my #LifeatPetSmart for so many reasons. First, the people (and their pets of course). I get to meet so many different associates from so many different areas of the business who are each so positive and enthusiastic about what they do. Second, I am always learning. There’s not a day here where I don’t learn something new and exciting. I’m consistently developing new skills throughout making me a stronger. Not too often do you get to love what you do and do it with incredible people. But, that’s why I love my #LifeatPetSmart. 😊