Vickie Jarosz of Elmwood Park works at Costco in Melrose Park. She said she likes her job because she’s able to connect with old friends who shop at the store.
Q: Where did you grow up and go to school?
A: I grew up on the north side of Chicago, right by St. Ferdinand Catholic Church. I went to Mother Guerin High School, and then I went to University of Illinois at Chicago and Northeastern University.
Q: How long have you lived in Elmwood Park?
A: I’ve lived there for 15 years.
Q: How many kids do you have?
A: I have two. Joey is 7, and Abby is 9. They go to Elmwood Elementary School.
Q: When did you start working at Costco?
A: I’ve been working there for almost six years.
Q: Why did you want to work at Costco?
A: I initially wanted to work there because I loved shopping there so much. I had heard that the benefits were great and they were good with scheduling and flexibility. I wanted something closer to home and something that worked with my husband’s schedule so we didn’t have to depend on babysitters.
Q: What do you do at Costco?
A: I’m a licensed optician.
Q: What are your responsibilities?
A: We make sure to order glasses and contacts. We make sure the prescriptions are correct. We do all the fittings for glasses, and we explain patients’ care about glasses and contacts.
Q: Do you have to be certified?
A: Yes, Costco requires it. They require two national licenses. I studied through Costco, and they paid for me to take the exams. Costco really invests in their employees. They want to do things right because they have such high standards.
Q: What do you like the most about your job?
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A: Now that I’m in the optical department, I honestly love helping people. I’ve built relationships with patients, and I remember them when they come back. I love working with kids when they get their first pair of glasses.
Q: When you’re not working, what do you like to do for fun?
A: My family and I enjoy going to different restaurants. I’m really involved with my kids’ sports and school. I volunteer a lot at Elmwood Elementary with the Boy Scouts and PTA.
Maryann Pisano is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.