Employee Spotlight: Reagan Costigan

Sometimes you don’t know what you are meant to do until you find yourself doing it. That can certainly be said about Reagan Costigan, our Talent Acquisition & Development Director. Having had successful career stops in various capacities, it wasn’t until she found her way to Quincy Recycle that she found her passion, and we couldn’t be happier. Reagan has become a tremendous asset to the organization, using that passion to fuel her efforts to make Quincy Recycle the best it can be.

1. When did you start with Quincy recycle? Was your job title the same as it is now?

I started with Quincy Recycle in February of 2019. I was hired as Talent Acquisition & Development, which is fancy for recruiting, onboarding, marketing & whatever else comes my way. What I love about the title is that its fluid- it continues to evolve as I continue to evolve with our company.

2. If you had to pick one, which Core Value is your favorite? Why?

I truly love all of our Core Values and I identify with all of them, not because it’s our set of expectations, it’s because I believe in each and every one of them. Since the question is asking me to pick one, I think Be Courageous & Try is a favorite. I’ve held several roles with different companies. All of them have helped me grow professionally and have created lifelong connections and friendships. All great things, but those roles/companies never felt like home. Where am I going with this- I have never felt autonomy in a role like I do with this one. It was a matter of changing my mindset from asking “Can I” for every single thing I wanted to try/do. At Quincy Recycle, I’m encouraged to make my own decisions, try new things (staying on the rails of course). Maybe it works, maybe it doesn’t. What I’m saying is, I know that my leadership teams has faith that I have the best intentions for my role and our company. So I try different marketing options for our open positions or find training opportunities. I love knowing that I’m encouraged to try things and it’s ok if it doesn’t work- I’ve learned from it!

3. What was the most challenging thing to learn in your role?

Managing the expectations of all the hiring managers. I could be hiring the same exact role for two different locations, but each hiring manager has their own wants/needs. Keeping those straight is quite a task! The best thing for me to do was to get to know our managers. How they operate, what are their likes and dislikes. All that said, I have to be ready to pivot because they change their minds. It’s who they are. I have to be more flexible in my approach than how I naturally like to be. I’m learning every day how to better support them and their teams.

4. What was the most surprising/ fun thing to learn?

This business is REALLY COOL! I genuinely love visiting all of our plants to see what is happening on our plant floors. While they are all doing virtually the same type of work, it’s neat to see how the commodities vary from plant to plant. I learn something new with every visit. I am thankful for the opportunity to travel to our other locations. It allows me to educate myself on the specific locations, which in turn creates more meaning and purposeful conversations with the hiring managers on their talent needs.

5. What’s your favorite part about working at Quincy Recycle?

How much time and space do I have for this one? I could go on and on. I’ll give a couple of examples. 1) I find the people that make our company successful. Knowing that what I am doing all day every day is making an overall impact on our business gets me excited to come to work every day. 2) My other favorite part is the team. They really have become like family and I couldn’t ask for a better work family than the one I have here at Quincy Recycle.

6. What would you like curious prospective employees to know about Quincy Recycle?

We work hard because our leaders work hard. Not because they tell us to- it’s because we want to be right alongside them charging toward the same goals of growth and success. We work hard and we are also rewarded for our efforts. Our dedication and work ethic doesn’t go unnoticed.

7. What are some of your hobbies you like to do outside of work?

I stay very busy with two young daughters. When I find myself with down time, I love going to the gym. I make an effort to take a break from my work day to go to the gym. It’s a great place to clear my head and give me the energy I need to bring to the team and at home. It also offsets the many visits I make to my favorite local Mexican Restaurant! If time allows, I love to get out on the golf course as well- I’m not great at it, but I sure enjoy it!

8. Best piece of advice you’ve ever read or received?

Not so long ago, I found myself frustrated on a certain topic. I reached out to a co-worker (remember that work family I mentioned?), who said that I shouldn’t worry about things that I can’t control. It hit hard because it’s so true. It’s one of the best things anyone has ever said to me. I’m sure I’ve heard it a hundred times, but at that moment, it resonated. All that said, I also live by advice that I’ve gotten from my Dad. “Can’t means you won’t,” “It only hurts ‘til the pain stops,” and “Prior Planning Prevents Poor Procedure.” (It’s technically 6 p’s, but keeping it clean).

9. If you had to pick a song to portray the essence/ culture of Quincy Recycle, what would it be?

“Don’t Stop Me Now” By Queen (which is also a shout out to the late Taylor Hawkins, drummer of the Foo Fighters who loved Queen- RIP Taylor!)