First off lets me say welcome to thebreakroom Fellow AP.Now we have the whole cycle in thebreakroom. But AP215 is leaving us soon.
. If you ever want to chat on AP topics feel free to PM either of us(IM sure ap215 wouldnt mind).There are a few other TPS and AP personnel but they are low-key and not active like we are.
So I will answer a couple of your questions but these are all how I see things.
Working for Target for me has to been one of my greater choices. I started off as a Cart Attendant.I showed effort with the AP team and was doing minor TPS stuff before I was hired. Moved up to TPS about a yearish later. Im like 3-4 months in and I'm already shadowing people in the I.C for development.There are opportunities to move up you just have to connect with people and show them that your worth putting time and effort for development.
Which brings me to my next subject ...connecting with other AP . Ive never worked with an APS before but one sure thing I would say is reach out the the surrounding stores in your district. If you get somebody trying to return a bunch of merchandise and you look up the POS and find out they used a mass load of coupons at another store fake or not thats a great excuse to call their AP and let them know what happened. Not doing it to say hey your store cashiers suck, but It gives you a chance to talk to somebody outside of your store and let them get to know you.
Also get to know the people in the IC. When you arrive for work today check in with the PTT each shift stating your name position and store #. IT gives them a chance to hear your voice and know who you are . You can even call them for help if you needed it. The ones in my district all nice and helpful. I myself have been trying to get to know other TPS in the district and let them know that they can call me for any random bs . Whether its a question about hows my day going, whats going on at my store,is something on workbench not working right now.
As far as Team Member interaction im not too sure..because you are plain clothed you wont be interacting that much with TMs on the floor,nor would you be at Huddle ,so AP215 would best be able to answer something like that since I've never worked with an APS.
Last thing I would say is that AP is great field to get in and all. But with Target being like a non-confrontational company it sucks with some of the restrictions that we have.
Feel free to PM me about anything. Id love to hear what you got going on in your district and would do the same for you.