Once I started college, and realized how expensive life can be, I was willing to take the first job that was offered to me. I applied everywhere, but mostly in retail due to my clumsiness and fear of dropping food all over the place as a waitress. Now, almost four years later, I've worked for three companies and have grown into a part time manager. I have worked in lower-priced stores, as well as high-end companies. Each have their pros and cons, but I wouldn't be who I am, or where I am, without experiences from both ends of the spectrum. Aside from learning how to fold clothes and use a cash register, I have also learned many life lessons that have caused me to grow and mature, and be proud of who I am today.
The first and best lesson I learned was the value of a dollar, and what its like to live on minimum wage. My parents have always been tough on me, and I started paying bills the day I graduated high school. Although I do appreciate their push to make me independent, I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little bitter about the situation. It is so easy to go out with friends, or to not think twice about buying a cute pair of shoes when it's not your money. But when you've worked 25 hours this week, and trying to balance school, you take that extra second to think either or not you're using that dollar efficiently. There have been so many times where I have wanted to stop for coffee, but used every ounce of self-control not to because it was more important to spend $8 on a decent dinner than two grande Starbucks drinks.
However, when you are sleep and coffee deprived, it becomes more difficult to maintain a positive attitude during your shift. I worked for a store that was very strict with their return policy, and customers would constantly become frustrated over the inability to receive their money back. There have been more times than I would like to admit where I have lost my temper when the customer was yelling at me for something I had no control over. In these exact moments, I was really understanding what it meant to take responsibility for your actions, and represent the company you work for. Everyone is facing their own battles, and are entitled to have good days and bad days. Retail teaches you to leave both your personal life and difficulties at work at the door. There are days when your hard work will go unnoticed and be unappreciated, but you can't let that weight become a burden. Customers have watched me refold an entire table of shirts, but insist on having the one in the middle of a pile, and all you can do is smile and fold them again.
Unless it's the holiday season, or tax-free weekend, the majority of the days are not that painful. In fact, retail can be rewarding, and that's what has kept me around for so long. My favorite days occur when a customer comes in looking for a specific outfit, and I find exactly what they are looking for and help them feel confident and beautiful. I have the pleasure of spreading body positivity every day and teaching women how to style and mix up even the most basic piece of their wardrobe. I wouldn't be able to do that today if my former mangers had not instilled confidence and knowledge within me first. I was terrified to walk up to stranger and greet them when I began working, but now it's the easiest and most exciting part of the job. I've had the chance to meet people who live around the corner and around the world, find a common interest and become more educated on a wide range of subjects, from cultural differences to sports.
I am also forever grateful for the opportunity to learn basic business practices, leadership, teamwork and organizational skills at a clothing store. When I was 18 years old and just starting out, I never would have thought retail would show me my strengths and weaknesses. I was studying biology, convinced I would hate business and would never switch majors but two years later, here I am, majoring in administration. It is truly amazing to see what I'm studying in school be applied to real life situations every single day, and has continuously challenged me as a manager. My first job has opened more doors of opportunity for me than I ever thought possible, and I will never be able to repay that debt.
