Whether at the headquarters in Houston or the regional branches across the U.S., there is one common denominator within WM. People actually find in the company a supportive environment to grow. When Pamela Sims was hired as a customer service representative in 1980, WM was about to become the world’s largest waste disposal company. Back then, the company was adapting to the many changes pushed by the recycling movement, building robust collection, materials recovery, and materials marketing infrastructures to ensure that more waste could find an opportunity for a second life. Since then, much has changed in the world and WM’s processes. However, the commitment to caring for employees and helping them thrive remains.

Pamela Sims, who hails from Richmond, California, used to work at a daycare center before joining WM. At the time, she wanted a change of pace and a job with better pay and benefits. Similar to many within WM, she came from outside the waste industry but had the chance to inject new energy and ideas into the business.

The Piece of Advice That Changed Everything

After a year of working for WM, Sims was still considering her options. Although she enjoyed being a customer service representative, she couldn’t help but wonder if there was something out there that she would enjoy even more. She did not know then that the company she was about to enter would significantly impact her career. Despite her doubts, Sims learned the job quickly and appreciated the advancement opportunities offered by WM. As it happened, Sims’ father was right. One of the best pieces of advice he gave her was to stay at WM for at least a couple of years before deciding to move on, she says. Sims followed her father’s advice and decided to stay at WM instead of pursuing another job.

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I always wanted to explore what happens in operations, and now I can.

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Since being hired almost forty-three years ago, Sims worked in billing, collections, and commercial container content review. She is currently an operations specialist in Oakland, assisting in troubleshooting and resolving safety, service, and operational issues. As it turned out, Sim’s permanence allowed her to explore multiple career paths within the same company. “I love what I do. I love learning and I learn something new every day. Working in operations compared to customer service and billing is like working for an entirely different company. I always wanted to explore what happens in operations, and now I can,” she said.

When asked about the key element for longevity at WM, Sims reassures it is the desire to learn as the room to grow is already there. “I always try to stay behind the scenes and learn things. I am not a person that likes to be in the front. I am fine staying behind the scenes and just learning things,” she concluded.

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