My AAA Journey

Accepting a job opportunity with AAA Northeast is the beginning of a career journey. We are a business of businesses and encourage our employees to use this to their advantage while they discover the field and role that meets their career passions and aspirations. Through this model, our employees experience tremendous growth upward and across the organization. Read about a few employees who have found their career success through the club.

Natoya James believes AAA offers endless career opportunities, if you just look. After 12 years in various positions in different departments, she was promoted to Manager of Quality Assurance for Automotive Services in 2022.

How many positions have you held with AAA and what were they?

I’ve had six positions: road service dispatcher, insurance processor, insurance customer service representative, lead insurance customer service representative, quality assurance analyst, and now, manager of quality assurance.  

What were some of the most important lessons along the way?

There have been so many, but here are a few.

1. Find and invest in your strengths.
2. How you do something is just as important (or, at times, more important) than what you do.
3. Act with purpose. I've learned how to bring myself into my career and use my personality to amplify my strengths. I've also learned how to advocate for myself. I've had goals along my career, but I didn't always know how to ask for help.

Why did you choose to pursue a career at AAA?

It's great to work for a company that has a consistent purpose and great reputation. AAA has many opportunities to help you find a role that fits who you are. Whenever I looked for a new opportunity, I always began with internal opportunities. When I wanted to learn a new skill, I looked at AAA learning and development courses and AAA partnerships with educational institutions. If you have a goal, you can reach out within AAA, and you will find someone who can help you along the way.

Amanda Lomba is an insurance agent at the Cranston, R.I., branch. She has been working for AAA since 2018, starting her journey in a part-time position and working her way up.

How many positions have you held with AAA and what were they?

I’ve had four. I started as a branch receptionist and then I became a member service counselor. I was later promoted to an insurance customer service representative, and after six months, I was promoted to an insurance agent for the Cranston, R.I., branch.

How have you changed over the course of your career?

I have evolved into a more confident and resilient professional. When the going gets tough, I find my way through, and I do it with joy. I work in sales; everyone who works in sales knows at times it can be tough, but you have to pick yourself up and seize every opportunity.

Did you have a mentor?

I feel like I have had many mentors along the way. Senior employees make such an impact on newbies. With the right mindset, you can have plenty of mentors. I have learned from so many along the way.

What were some of the most important lessons?

I learned the value of hard work and patience. This is the second-longest job I have ever had. However, I hate to call it a job, because I definitely feel like I found my career. My supervisors and other employees showed me that with hard work, dedication, and patience you can have a fulfilling career here at AAA Northeast.

Brian Butterworth, operations support manager for AAA Driving School, has been pursuing self-development opportunities at AAA since 2009.

How many positions have you held with AAA?

I’ve had nine. I started as a member service counselor in the automotive services call center and held several positions there leading up to dispatch supervisor. Then I was assistant manager in our former glass business before taking my current position.

How have you changed over the course of your career?

I think it would be easier to say how haven’t I changed since I started with AAA. When I started off as a temporary employee, I was fresh out of high school, very quiet and nervous. I have grown and developed over the years and have much more confidence in myself.

What were some of the most important lessons along the way?

The two most important lessons are always challenge yourself to do better and never stop learning. Together, these two actions can help you continually grow and develop, both as a person and in your career.

Why did you choose to pursue a career at AAA?

Whether you’re walking through headquarters, traveling to a branch location or speaking with someone several states away, AAA always feels like one giant family. I would be challenged to think of another company that has such a diverse range of products and services. When you combine all of the departments that support other business lines like IT, e-business, and finance, there's almost unlimited career opportunity with AAA.

Jennifer Lajara has been with AAA Northeast for 11 years. She started her journey as an Auto Travel Counselor and has moved her way up to Branch Manager in Farmingdale, N.Y.

How many positions have you held with AAA and what were they?
I have held four positions. I started as a Member Services Counselor. In 2018, I accepted a position as Assistant Branch Manager in Queens, N.Y. Then in 2021 was promoted to Branch Manager in Queens, N.Y. A year later I became Branch Manager in Farmingdale, N.Y.

Did you have a mentor?
My direct supervisors over the years have played an important role in my success. Without me realizing it, they were providing the tools I needed to grow, preparing me for bigger and better things within AAA.

How have you changed over the course of your career?
The best personal change I’ve noticed is my confidence level in managing a team. That’s mostly due to feedback from my team and managers over the years. I’ve learned different ways to engage with our team, to get them involved and motivated and to boost morale.

Is there anything else you'd like to tell people about a career at AAA?
There are so many opportunities for growth here. AAA gives everyone a chance to gain knowledge and develop skills to enhance their career.