Grocery Clerk Chris Philipp, #1401, Tallahassee, Florida, is already building a strong foundation for his future — both at Publix and beyond.

Chris starts most of his days before sunrise, unloading trucks and stocking shelves. He joined Publix about 3 years ago after his mom, a full-time customer service associate, told him what a great company it is to work for. What began as a summer job quickly became a place where he could grow and work toward meaningful goals.

Recently, Chris reached one of his biggest milestones: earning his high school diploma with support from Publix’s GED reimbursement program.

Challenges in a traditional school setting made it difficult for Chris to complete high school on the expected timeline. But with encouragement from his family, especially his mom, he remained determined to get a diploma. Through Publix’s education support resources, he found a path that worked for him.

He also got strong support from his assistant store manager, Frank Tilcock. From the start, Frank helped Chris navigate PASSport, submit paperwork and understand each step. He checked in regularly and made sure Chris had everything he needed to qualify for reimbursement.

Just a month and a half later, Chris earned his diploma.

“It makes me happy. It’s a big achievement,” said Chris. “It’s hard to go back to school and finish something after you take a break, and a lot of people don’t go back.”

Balancing work and school wasn’t new for Chris. He was already used to managing both, often heading to school in the morning and going straight to work afterward. That mindset helped him stay focused and finish what he started.

Now, with his diploma in hand, he is looking forward to what comes next. He’s working in grocery and saving to start his own mechanic business. Chris hopes to pursue additional certifications in the future to further build his skills. “If you put your mind to it, anything is possible,” he said.

Chris also sees Publix as part of that future.

“It’s a good company to work for,” he said. “They support you. Not everyone has those opportunities.”

For associates who want to continue their education, his advice is simple: Stay focused and take advantage of the resources available.

Interested in exploring Publix’s education benefits? Visit the Education Opportunities page on PASSport at publix.org to learn more about how Publix can help.