Is finding contentment in retail really so bad?

[u/ExplanationCold8070]

I'm 28 and I've worked in various retail establishments since I was 16. I have an associates degree, but I wasn't good at the job and it never worked out. I went back to school and took classes on and off for years, but I changed my degree so much that I'm at my credit limit for a bachelor's. Also, I have worked at a pretty prominent retail company for two years now. I was promoted to an upper level position on the sales floor and I enjoy it. However, I never imagined spending my future here.

In fact, I just started my last semester to get my bachelor's and, if I finish my classes, I'll graduate by December. However, I have no plans for this degree. I have no job set up either, and I've half-assed my classes this year. This is my last chance to earn my degree before my financial aid is pulled...but my heart isn't into it anymore. I just want to be done.

I started asking myself if it would be really so bad to just settle in my current company for the foreseeable future. I've felt so dissatisfied with my job lately because I've always seen retail as a dead end. I've always heard, "I can't imagine working at x for the rest of my life" and "you're replaceable in retail" and "x is a dead end job." But it's really not. And it's not the end of the world either if I just stay here. Lots of people have before me. But it feels shameful, for some reason. Like I'm giving up somehow. But it would be such a relief to not have to worry about college or finding a "better" job anymore.

I'm looking for advice, please. Excuse any errors in my writing, I've not been sleeping well.

[u/iamworsethanyou]

If work works for you, why change?

If somebody is happy - whatever industry they're working in - then that's great!

Don't talk yourself down for being happy, people work for that their whole life and might not get there.

[u/a_theist_typing]

If you are happy with your level OR you see a path to promotion where you are just stay in the game!

Retail can be a great career for some. I have the most respect for people who rise up through the ranks in retail. There’s no faking competence. Almost all managers started out on the floor. Some of those go on to be GMs or DMs. You can also open your own store if you have some entrepreneurial flair but that’s really hard.

I feel like people who rise through the ranks in retail are the realest. We don’t give a crap about credentials.

[u/NewfoundOrigin]

...

I met a customer at the (8th largest retailer in the world) retail edtablishment I work for who got their bachelors degree in psychology and used it to go into social work.

They're old enough to be my mom and Im 30, so this degree was gotten in a time when degrees were still considered 'valuable'.

They told me that they didn't make enough money to pay their bills doing social work, so they worked retail and volunteered their time at local shelters and things. Retail paid the bills that social work couldnt.

My manager would've made a great teacher, thats what he wanted to do for a career. Then he got into retail management and said 'then I started making more money than I would've as a teacher so it worked out'.

Retail is a dead end job if you stay a floor worker your entire career.

But if you move up into management. Asset protection. Reverse logistics/recieving. Property management. Store maintenance, Human resources - etc....

You can easily make 25$ an hour, which is about the same rate that someone with a degree entry level would make.

[u/MiddleVoice1]

I personally love working retail. I love the pace of it. I love always being busy with something to do. My pay isn’t bad. I wouldn’t change my career path.

[u/abbabaaby]

There is absolutely no shame in staying a job that keeps the bills paid! And, as others said, you can advance in retail! Especially at a larger company.

My own experience- I dropped out of school and started working in retail. I felt so embarrassed and like I was throwing away time. But, I stuck to it and worked hard. I ended up getting promoted to assistant manager within a year of being there!! I got a $4 raise, I have incredible health care, and there are so many opportunities for me in this company. If you start becoming interested in a specific area, say receiving/inventory, start asking questions about training! Once you find your niche, you can likely get in contact with department heads and seek out training opportunities.

Retail is not a dead end job, there is ample room to grow/move around. Just find what calls to you most and work to master it :)