Sergio Lopez has always been a go-getter when it comes to his education. He began taking beginner-level English classes in Mexico before deciding to migrate to the United States.
Since February 2017, Sergio has been an employee at Albertsons, moving proactively from department to department. He first began in the Deli Department, helping out with catering needs, and then moved on to the Bakery Department– an area that felt more like home to him because of his work experience as a baker in Mexico. Although very attentive to his labor, Sergio always noticed he lacked a connection with his customers.
“One doesn’t even look up, one looks towards a different direction, head down,” reflects Sergio on his previous interaction with customers.
Sergio shares his experience with the rest of his coworkers, most of whom are immigrants like him, who are also less inclined to converse with others due to the language barrier. Based on the desire to interact with clients, he was constantly on the lookout for available opportunities.
One of these included receiving his General Education Development diploma. However, Sergio found it challenging to balance both school and his work commitments. So when the assistant manager asked Sergio if he would like to participate in English Advance (formerly English at Work), he was more than enthusiastic to begin.
“I would fill up an entire page of my notebook just writing and rewriting vocabulary words,” recalls Sergio.
The classes Albertsons offered to Sergio went beyond the foundations and focused on customer service vocabulary. He fondly remembers how he and his classmates would practice the new words by engaging in mock conversations with each other, where, in partners, one person would act as the customer and the other as the worker. This aspect is what sets these studies apart from any other English class he has ever had, he says.
“I am now more inclined to tell the customers ‘good morning’, and ‘how may I help you,’” said Sergio proudly.
In continuing to grow the seed of education Albertsons planted, Sergio is now using his English as an Instacart worker. He credits English Advance to this recent endeavor and looks forward to receiving his citizenship.
The Forum would like to thank Cristal Sanchez, Business Engagement and Inclusion Programs Intern, for capturing this story.