Contractor to Full-time: A Q&A with Amber Ackerman

Senior Recruiter Amber Ackerman took time to talk to us about her Sodexo experiences and what led her to her current role.

In less than a year, Amber Ackerman worked her way from from contractor to full-time status and now serves as a Facilities Senior Recruiter for Sodexo. She recently sat down with us to give us insight on her career development, how she has made an impact in the facilities segment, and her message to potential candidates. 

Tell me a little bit about yourself?

My name is Amber Ackerman. I am a Senior Recruiter at Sodexo located in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. I attended Humboldt State University, which is now Cal Tech Humboldt in Arcata, California. Prior to my last semester, I relocated to Texas and graduated with a degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology at Southern New Hampshire University.

How did you begin as a contracted employee at Sodexo?

Before I began working with Sodexo, I did a lot of boots on the ground type recruiting for restaurants in small towns. The opportunity to start contract work for Sodexo was a big change in the type of recruiting I was accustomed to doing. But in the short time I have been here, it has been an awesome experience. I came on board in May 2022 and was trained in the contractor role by Susan Gembala and worked under Rahel Hagos. They did a fantastic job teaching me everything I would need to know to succeed here. 

After only three months, you transitioned from a contractor to full-time employee. Talk about that transition and what you do now.

On July 5th of last year, I joined Alicia Stanley’s Recruitment team as a full-time employee. In this new role, I work to fill facilities management positions nationwide, where before I was working with schools and supporting executive roles. In this role, there is definitely more independence and less hand holding, but at that point, I didn’t need the support any longer because they had already taught me so much and set me up to be successful.

Traditionally, the facilities segment has been dominated by male employees. As a new recruiter, how do you see Sodexo’s commitment to diversity in that segment?

I have heard comments from some senior management on how facilities management is traditionally a very male-dominated profession, but they love how Sodexo is turning that concept on its head. We are dedicated to diversity and are always searching for the best candidate. When I see a qualified female candidate, I get really excited to start the process. All of our hiring managers have the same sentiment with their open roles, we have a focus for interviewing and hiring non-traditional candidates for all roles.

How different do you feel to be a full-time employee?

Both roles feel very similar. Honestly, I didn't feel like I was on the outside looking in when I was a contractor. I felt very included, and I was a part of the team. Sodexo does a great job of creating an inclusive environment for everyone including both full-time and contract employees. The meetings and work really did not change. The only thing that was affected were some of the people I worked with on a regular basis. From my time as a contractor to now full-time, I've always felt the same level of value from inside Sodexo.

Sodexo takes pride in career development and providing the resources for employees to grow and thrive in their own way. Have you felt that that along your journey?

I have never felt lost while at Sodexo. My leaders have given me all these resources I need, and it has been such a great experience. I have felt a sense of value and belonging from the start. Everyone here is so inviting and has no qualms about reaching out to help me as a new employee. I could really feel from day one that they wanted me to succeed, which felt really good. 

After your first year’s experiences at Sodexo, do you use them as a resource when talking with potential candidates?

Yes, it really gave me a good feeling for Sodexo and how we emphasize living our Employee Value Proposition every day to empower our employees. When a candidate asks me why I would want to work at Sodexo, I can tell them with full honesty how awesome it has been and how much support you get. I can highlight our great offerings of programs and how they took a chance on me.

What message do you have for potential candidates, especially current contractors looking to transition to full-time employment?

I would tell them to show your value and work as hard as you can. Sodexo will notice that and will definitely see your value and reward you for that. I was shocked how quickly I was moved into a full-time role. I would tell them it feels really good to work for a company that values education and training, and not only provides you with the means to accomplish your goals but celebrates with you on your success.