In high school, Adam Lerette ’16 was interested in business when looking for colleges.

“From the moment I drove onto campus with a friend who was touring, I knew that this is where I wanted to be,” he said. “I walked into the doors of the Admissions office and was greeted by so many genuine smiles and hellos that I couldn’t apply fast enough.”

Now, Adam is a retail sales manager for U.S. Cellular in Farmington, Maine.

“Some would say they love being in charge or love being the boss, but I simply love the challenge. Every day as a retail sales manager is a different challenge and a complex puzzle.”

While studying at Thomas College full time in 2012, someone at the school referred him to work at U.S. Cellular. He started out as a cashier/greeter.

“As my time at Thomas and U.S. Cellular went on, I developed a strong passion for U.S. Cellular and business management and administration. Slowly, I was promoted, and Thomas helped me structure my classes so that I could maintain a full-time job while taking classes to graduate with my Bachelors in Business Management.”

Adam’s time at Thomas College ensured his success.

“Thomas helped me with the curriculum needed to be successful as a manager; but, more importantly, the people at Thomas College helped me to become a leader,” said Adam. “Through Thomas College, I helped start a community service organization that was incredibly impactful throughout our local community, as well as with veterans, homeless families, children in need, and at food banks. Through programs like that, the curriculum, and the connections of the faculty, I was ready to become a manager with a company that I fell in love with because of Thomas’s values and behaviors.”

Adam never thought he’d be this far into his career, only two years after graduating.

“Thomas helped me achieve my job in my current career faster than I had hoped. I had a 5-, 10-, 20-year career plan, and it has accelerated my plan.”

Adam is so thankful for his experience at Thomas and how much it changed his life.

“Thomas College is the community that I never thought I would have needed before attending Thomas,” he said. “Thomas is more than a college; it is more than a piece of paper that I received. Thomas College is a family that you are a part of from the moment you walk onto campus and one that lasts forever.”