Portland Bear Treks: UMaine Students Explore Career Paths at Hannaford and Wex

The Maine Business School’s Portland Bear Treks trip provided undergraduate and graduate students with an exclusive look into the corporate headquarters of Hannaford Supermarkets and Wex, Inc. This visit marked the first time students toured Hannaford and the second time at Wex, following a visit in 2019.

Ellyson Bourgoine, a junior from York, Maine, and Nolan Matthews, a junior from Scarborough, Maine, have participated in previous Bear Treks trips. Both students joined this trek to explore career opportunities across different industries. “I’m not quite sure what industry I want to work in, and I find it valuable to hear from professionals across various departments about their daily responsibilities,” says Matthews. He found it reassuring to hear from UMaine alumni who had navigated different career paths before finding their niche.

The first stop of the day was Hannaford’s headquarters in Scarborough, which recently underwent a redesign to create a more modern workspace for employees. Matt Rothman, Manager of Early Talent Development at Hannaford, highlighted design elements that honor the company’s long history while accommodating contemporary work styles.

“My favorite part of the trip was touring both corporate buildings,” says Matthews. “At Hannaford, I appreciated how flexible they were about where employees could work. It was also fascinating to see how the building’s design reflects the company’s history.”

Students had the opportunity to network over lunch with UMaine alumni working at Hannaford. Among the nine alumni who joined, students heard from Grace Harmatys, a recent May 2024 graduate, and David Duley, Class of 1984.

At Wex, students met with five employees, four of whom were UMaine alumni. One of the most striking features of Wex’s headquarters was the sweeping views of Casco Bay. Morgan Bouchard, Talent Acquisition Specialist at Wex, emphasized the importance of these student visits. “Creating opportunities for students to explore and learn about potential employers is so important. Students are interviewing companies just as much as companies are interviewing them for future roles,” she says, adding that investing in early talent is crucial for Maine’s workforce development.

Trip Marston, a first-year student from Portland, Maine, found the panel discussion at Wex particularly valuable. “Hearing from employees and UMaine alumni gave me greater insight into the diverse paths people take to reach their current roles,” he says.

Students had the chance to engage with professionals through a panel discussion before participating in a hands-on activity. Patrick Nannery, Marketing Manager – Shell Fleet Marketing at Wex, introduced a Shark Tank-style competition, where students were tasked with pitching different candy brands to the employee panel for feedback.

For Bourgoine, connecting with UMaine alumni was the highlight of the trip. “I appreciated the sense of connection and relatability in learning how UMaine graduates have grown into their careers, starting from the same place we are now,” she says.

The Portland Bear Treks experience provided students with valuable exposure to corporate environments, direct interactions with industry professionals, and insights into the career paths of UMaine alumni. These opportunities reinforce the importance of experiential learning and networking as students prepare for their future careers.

Read about past Bear Treks trips:
Boston Bear Treks 2024: Unum, Salesforce, and Omni Hotels
Boston Bear Treks 2023: State Street Bank, Allen & Gerritsen, and Johnson & Johnson DePuy Synthes
Portland Bear Treks 2022: IDEXX and MEMIC