Adam Sarmanian is a welcome sight to young students in Revere, MA.
The letter carrier visits local elementary schools to educate both children and staffers on how the Post Office works.
“The most important thing you can do is sacrifice some of your time for the good of your community,” says Sarmanian, a 19-year employee.
Sarmanian attends career days and other school functions where he shows off his delivery vehicle, passes out goodies like postal-themed stickers and coloring books, and leads classroom activities.
“The kids enjoy it,” he says. “And the teachers all say they learn something new about the Post Office every time.”
USPS encourages employees to establish and maintain positive relationships in the community, part of the organization’s focus on improving customer service.
Sarmanian offers these tips for employees who want to give back:
• Be on the lookout for opportunities. “You never know when you’ll have to give assistance,” he says.
• Take the initiative. Seek your supervisor’s permission, and ask to do things that interest you. If you want to participate in a career day, for example, Sarmanian says to contact your local school system to find out how.
• Ask for help. Your colleagues may be able to assist in your efforts. “All that I do could not be possible without support from my manager and his supervisory staff,” he says.
Giving back has had a positive effect on Sarmanian’s life. “I feel really good about myself,” he says.
“Best Practices,” a series on employees who demonstrate on-the-job excellence, appears regularly in Link.