When Jacob Carroll took a seasonal job in asset protection right out of high school, he didn’t think he’d be at Best Buy 10 years later.
He’s worked in asset protection, warehouse roles, the home theater department, Geek Squad and as a market trainer, traveling to 27 states along the way. Now he’s back home in Monroe, Louisiana, working as an in-home design manager.
“I bleed blue. That’s for sure,” he said.
Through the years, Jacob has grown professionally — and he’s grown his family, too. Best Buy has been there every step of the way, providing professional opportunities, supporting him while he pursued a degree in business management and, most recently, giving him paid time off to bond with his newborn son.
“Not only has Best Buy given me many opportunities to grow myself while impacting many lives, but they have also supported my education,” he said. “Now, they granted me the amazing opportunity to spend some uninterrupted time with my first child.”
Jacob recently took advantage of Best Buy’s Caregiver Pay benefit to take four weeks off — just the right amount of time, he said, to get into a rhythm with little Jameson.
“That cry means we need to change him. That one means he’s hungry,” Jacob said.
Best Buy’s Caregiver Pay benefit gives eligible employees up to four weeks off at 100% of base pay during a qualifying leave for child bonding. It can also be used to care for a spouse, domestic partner, parent or child with a health condition.
Adjusting to a new normal
Like every new parent, Jacob has had to get acclimated to being back at work with a newborn at home. And he’s doing it while also dealing with the complexities of a pandemic.
“We had to change how we operate,” he said. “I immediately jump in the shower and get my work clothes in the wash before I can scoop him up and grab his little chunky thigh.”
Jacob is already thinking about what’s next in the evolution of his career at Best Buy. There’s one thing he’s sure of — he doesn’t have to worry about it.
“It seems like everybody I’ve worked for wants to see me grow and helped me get there,” he said. “They’ve taken care of me.”
Visit our careers site to learn more about working at Best Buy.