Entry-level jobs that pay well and require no experience are hard to find. That is why jobs in retail or restaurants are a common starting point for many. They're accessible, can be started out of high school or while in college, and can help you grow useful skills such as customer service and communication. But what if they could lead to something more? At UWM, we believe that everyone has potential, regardless of their previous job experience. Ken M.'s journey is a prime example of this.
Born and raised in the Philippines, Ken came to the United States to find a new home and a future. The restaurant industry was the perfect stepping stone for him, as it enabled him to make a living with no prior experience while working to improve his English. However, he soon started to look for something that offered more.
Serving Skills, Light On Experience
Ken was encouraged to apply for a position at UWM by his friends and family. With no mortgage experience needed, he excitedly joined the Operations team. The training he received at the start was very in-depth and hands on. “I would say I learned a lot, but it also taught me to ask for help. Here, everybody tries to help each other, and you can rely on one another,” Ken explains. “In a restaurant, you only have your fellow servers that change often and have different amounts of experience. They sometimes come from a variety of restaurants and the rules don't always apply the same way.” That is why Ken appreciates the vast resources available to team members as well as UWM's collaborative culture.
Retail and restaurant jobs teach employees a range of skills that are highly transferable to the mortgage industry. Ken M.'s previous experience prepared him to provide excellent service to clients at UWM. As Ken puts it, “I’ve learned how to interact with different kinds of people and handle all kinds of situations.” This has been instrumental in his current role where relationship-building is key.
Adaptability and problem-solving are other crucial skills honed in the fast-paced retail and restaurant world. Ken recounts how much he enjoyed learning the ins and outs of the mortgage industry. “Knowing more and more about the mortgage industry, it’s really fascinating. It’s very intricate and rewarding.” This adaptability made it possible for him to manage the dynamic nature of the mortgage industry and tackle new challenges head on.
Stability With A Side Of Benefits
Ken notes stability as a deciding factor for making his career switch. “There's seasons in the restaurant industry, you can't be sure how much you make, but at UWM, the pay is stable.” Besides looking for regular income to support his family, Ken also wanted a regular schedule to spend time with friends and family. In contrast to the ever-changing and demanding hours common in retail or restaurant jobs, UWM offers a consistent Monday-Friday work schedule. This provides team members with a much-needed work-life balance, something that Ken greatly appreciates. He enjoys the predictability that allows him to plan and socialize, which was often challenging while working in retail or in the restaurant industry, where someone always needs to be present. “I have friends here and everyone has the same days off, unless they use their PTO. That gives me more time to spend with them,” Ken relates.
Moreover, UWM provides comprehensive benefits that go beyond just a paycheck. Ken highlights the “Be You Here” days as an example of UWM's unique employee perks. These are days dedicated to celebrating the team members themselves, something he hadn't experienced in his previous job. UWM furthermore offers valuable benefits like paid time off, a 401K, and an insurance plan, which are also not a given in many retail or restaurant jobs.
A Hearty Helping Of Growth
Career advancement opportunities were a huge factor in Ken's desire to make a change. “At a restaurant, I wouldn't call jumping from being a server to being a line cook a promotion. It's just a different role. Here, there's a line that you can follow. The ceiling starts opening up and you move up in leadership. You could become a Team Lead or even an AVP,” Ken explains. The support he received, especially when it comes to looking for ways to improve, impressed him. “You can get to know all kinds of different teams, find out what they do and see what role fits you best. I'm actually interested in maybe transferring into a Sales position and have received nothing but encouragement.”
Besides enjoying the opportunity to advance himself, Ken also remarks on the benefit of having team leads that come from within at UWM. “At a restaurant you often have managers that are new and hired in. Here, we've got someone who has experience with our systems and guidelines. They went through all the steps that we do and are very smart and reliable.”
After successfully transitioning from a restaurant job to a role at UWM, Ken takes pride in his work. “Think about that American dream of having a house that you worked hard for. I've been able to do that and now have the opportunity to help thousands across the country also experience it.”
Ken's one recommendation for changing careers from a retail or restaurant job to UWM is this: “Be open and willing to change and to learn, because there's so much to gain here and it’s fun.” Follow Ken's lead, experience our culture of support and join our team!
The views and opinions of the employee contained within this content are solely those of the employee and do not necessarily represent the views of UWM or other employees of UWM.