Driven to Grow: Mason Harrington

At just 18 years old, Mason Harrongton is already building the foundation for a long-term career. After first learning about Casella through visits from company recruiters at his high school, Mason joined the Burlington, VT team as a helper, where he gained firsthand experience alongside seasoned drivers and developed a deeper understanding of the industry's strong safety culture. Today, as he works toward earning his Class B CDL, Mason is gaining the skills, confidence, and support needed to grow his career, demonstrating how early opportunities, hands-on experience, and a commitment to learning can help pave the way for future success.

What inspired you to pursue a career in waste and recycling, and how did that lead you to Casella?

I recently graduated from high school, and I knew I wanted to get my CDL, so I started looking into different opportunities. Recruiters from Casella had visited Middlebury Union High School several times, which is how I first learned about the company and the opportunities available. When I started looking for a way to begin my career and work toward my CDL, Casella stood out as a good opportunity to do both.

How did your experience as a helper prepare you for CDL training and a future behind the wheel?

I started with Casella in late June and spent most of my time as a helper on a rear-load truck. I was able to work alongside experienced drivers, watch how they approached the job, and get real-world experience before it was my turn to operate the vehicle. It gave me the opportunity to learn a lot about the job and become familiar with what happens out on the road every day.

How has Casella invested in your growth and development as you've worked toward earning your CDL?

The opportunity came pretty quickly. I had only been with the company for a few months before I was able to come to Casella’s CDL Training School and start working toward my Class B license. Being able to work for the company while gaining experience and then have the support to earn my CDL has made the process much easier.

What lessons or experiences have had the greatest impact during your CDL training so far?

The focus on safety has stood out to me. Throughout the class, we talk about the standards required by the DMV and then what Casella expects from its drivers. In a lot of cases, Casella takes an extra step. For example, there are additional procedures around backing, like using your hazards and horn to make sure you're visible and people around you know what you're doing. Those extra steps are there to help keep employees and the people around us safe.

How did working alongside experienced drivers shape your perspective on safety?

When you're out on the road all day, there are a lot of variables you can't control, especially what other people are going to do. Working as a helper gave me the chance to see that firsthand. If you stay focused on what you can control and do everything to the best of your ability, you can make the job safer for yourself, your coworkers, and everyone around you.

How has CDL training helped build your confidence as a professional driver?

My confidence with driving has definitely increased. If you haven't driven a vehicle like this before, you don't really know what to expect, and it's very different from regular driving. The things our training managers teach us, along with the amount of time we get behind the wheel, have helped me become much more comfortable. With a small group of students, we've also been able to get individual help and spend time practicing the areas where we each need it most.

As you look ahead, what excites you most about the opportunities a CDL can create for your career?

I'm looking forward to progressing and continuing to build a career. Getting a CDL opens up a lot of opportunities and gives me somewhere to grow from. I'm only 18 right now, so there are certain things I can't do yet, like driving across state lines. In the future, I could see myself coming back to earn a different license and continuing to expand what I'm able to do.

What has impressed you most about Casella's people and culture since joining the team?

Everyone has been very welcoming, but what stands out most is how connected everyone is. People want to help you and are always looking out for one another. Not every company has that kind of environment, and having people around you who want to see you learn and succeed has been a really positive part of starting my career here.