Comments on: The new post-college prestige job is retail http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2009/04/15/the-new-post-college-prestige-job-is-retail/ Advice at the intersection of work and life Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:32:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: AndyM http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2009/04/15/the-new-post-college-prestige-job-is-retail/comment-page-1/#comment-270507 AndyM Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:44:30 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/?p=2384#comment-270507 I've worked in retail for several years and I will say that if you are on the sales floor the job is very fun and enjoyable. But being a cashier is a totally different story. When you are a cashier, you are trapped at your station. You cannot go to the bathroom without asking for permission (I was actually denied on a few occasions) and you are also forbidden to have a water bottle or get a drink from the water fountain. Stocking shelves on the other hand is actually quite fun. You get to do fun things like set up end caps, set plan-o-grams, learn about interesting products, plus you learn a lot about running a business. I've worked in retail for several years and I will say that if you are on the sales floor the job is very fun and enjoyable. But being a cashier is a totally different story.

When you are a cashier, you are trapped at your station. You cannot go to the bathroom without asking for permission (I was actually denied on a few occasions) and you are also forbidden to have a water bottle or get a drink from the water fountain.

Stocking shelves on the other hand is actually quite fun. You get to do fun things like set up end caps, set plan-o-grams, learn about interesting products, plus you learn a lot about running a business.

]]> By: BlueJay http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2009/04/15/the-new-post-college-prestige-job-is-retail/comment-page-1/#comment-269137 BlueJay Wed, 11 Jan 2012 06:11:45 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/?p=2384#comment-269137 I hate to say that retail shouldn't be the thing you end up in AFTER college. You will have a hard time getting out of it if you do. (I did this and regret it horribly.) During and before college is fine, but after is a step backwards. Everyone wants someone who can prove they've done something useful on their resumes, and unfortunately, retail does not give employees enough leeway (without risk of being fired on the spot) to take charge and make such gains and big activities. I hate to say that retail shouldn't be the thing you end up in AFTER college. You will have a hard time getting out of it if you do. (I did this and regret it horribly.) During and before college is fine, but after is a step backwards. Everyone wants someone who can prove they've done something useful on their resumes, and unfortunately, retail does not give employees enough leeway (without risk of being fired on the spot) to take charge and make such gains and big activities.

]]> By: get rid of nits http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2009/04/15/the-new-post-college-prestige-job-is-retail/comment-page-1/#comment-267631 get rid of nits Sat, 31 Dec 2011 13:56:54 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/?p=2384#comment-267631 Hello, i feel that i saw you visited my web site so i got here to ?return the desire?.I am attempting to find issues to improve my site!I suppose its ok to use some of your ideas!! Hello, i feel that i saw you visited my web site so i got here to ?return the desire?.I am attempting to find issues to improve my site!I suppose its ok to use some of your ideas!!

]]> By: LA1226 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2009/04/15/the-new-post-college-prestige-job-is-retail/comment-page-1/#comment-266154 LA1226 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 20:34:34 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/?p=2384#comment-266154 I'm totally with the post above me. I actually have a Masters degree, and I'm in a bit of a bind right now. I graduated with my Bachelor's in December of 2007, got a fabulous paid internship, then got slammed because of the recession and had to be let go instead of promoted to an actual position in the company. My plans were completely torn apart. So, I took a job as a recruiter which paid about the same as my internship (sucked, because while the pay was good in terms of internships, it wasn't good in terms of an actual job). I worked at my job for 9 months and then got laid off. I've been looking for a job ever since. In the meantime, I did go to grad school, which was part of my original plan anyway, I just did it sooner rather than later because I had the free time. Still can't find a job. My friend is badgering me to work at Victoria's Secret with her. 8 dollars an hour to stand on my feet all day, wait on people who I want to strangle and probably put out more in gas than I'd actual receive in my paycheck? No thanks. I deserve better. I'm totally with the post above me. I actually have a Masters degree, and I'm in a bit of a bind right now. I graduated with my Bachelor's in December of 2007, got a fabulous paid internship, then got slammed because of the recession and had to be let go instead of promoted to an actual position in the company. My plans were completely torn apart. So, I took a job as a recruiter which paid about the same as my internship (sucked, because while the pay was good in terms of internships, it wasn't good in terms of an actual job). I worked at my job for 9 months and then got laid off. I've been looking for a job ever since. In the meantime, I did go to grad school, which was part of my original plan anyway, I just did it sooner rather than later because I had the free time. Still can't find a job. My friend is badgering me to work at Victoria's Secret with her. 8 dollars an hour to stand on my feet all day, wait on people who I want to strangle and probably put out more in gas than I'd actual receive in my paycheck? No thanks. I deserve better.

]]> By: Yummykitten007 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2009/04/15/the-new-post-college-prestige-job-is-retail/comment-page-1/#comment-264932 Yummykitten007 Wed, 30 Nov 2011 17:12:00 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/?p=2384#comment-264932 Completely disagree with this, other than the part about the popular careers changing. While you may feel a sense of camaraderie, the other benefits are crap. I am living this life and it is not fulfilling me in any way. I am in a management position in retail, have a bachelors of science, and can barely pay my rent. My goal is not to make friends at work or find myslef or figure out what I want to do. I went to school for what I want to do and I have plenty of friends. I want to make money so I can pay back my student loans and pay my bills. I do get health insurance through my job, so yay for that, but my state offers it. Working in retail does not create a cushion or give me an opportunity to build my dream career. With the hours that I am required to work, I have little time for much else. I feel very unsatisfied and very depressed. I want out. I went to shool to take a step in the direction of my dream job, yet it seems that it doesnt even exist. I live in a big city, which should provide opportunity, yet I cant manage to find it. I dont want to be a store manager with a heap of debt going into my thirties. What else do you suggest for someone that graduated 2 years ago, is having a hard time finding a job in their field, and is going crazy working retail? Like some of the others have posted, I feel trapped! Completely disagree with this, other than the part about the popular careers changing. While you may feel a sense of camaraderie, the other benefits are crap. I am living this life and it is not fulfilling me in any way. I am in a management position in retail, have a bachelors of science, and can barely pay my rent. My goal is not to make friends at work or find myslef or figure out what I want to do. I went to school for what I want to do and I have plenty of friends. I want to make money so I can pay back my student loans and pay my bills. I do get health insurance through my job, so yay for that, but my state offers it. Working in retail does not create a cushion or give me an opportunity to build my dream career. With the hours that I am required to work, I have little time for much else. I feel very unsatisfied and very depressed. I want out. I went to shool to take a step in the direction of my dream job, yet it seems that it doesnt even exist. I live in a big city, which should provide opportunity, yet I cant manage to find it. I dont want to be a store manager with a heap of debt going into my thirties. What else do you suggest for someone that graduated 2 years ago, is having a hard time finding a job in their field, and is going crazy working retail? Like some of the others have posted, I feel trapped!

]]> By: Chris Morton » Blog Archive » 7 Things I’m Thankful For: Retail » Chris Morton http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2009/04/15/the-new-post-college-prestige-job-is-retail/comment-page-1/#comment-263610 Chris Morton » Blog Archive » 7 Things I’m Thankful For: Retail » Chris Morton Mon, 21 Nov 2011 14:18:05 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/?p=2384#comment-263610 [...] for violating some non-disclosure agreement.  Instead, I’ll share some great thoughts from a blogpost by Penelope Trunk entitled “The New Post-College Prestige Job is [...] [...] for violating some non-disclosure agreement.  Instead, I'll share some great thoughts from a blogpost by Penelope Trunk entitled "The New Post-College Prestige Job is [...]

]]> By: Budfox http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2009/04/15/the-new-post-college-prestige-job-is-retail/comment-page-1/#comment-264559 Budfox Thu, 17 Nov 2011 08:15:00 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/?p=2384#comment-264559 I could not agree more with Damien. He hit the nail directly, smack on the head! I have a business degree and I have been working in retail  for 1 year now, and I have had enough! I work for a big company, but customers love to treat you like sh*t. I dont remember ever going into a retail store and belittling an associate from the get go. I would absolutely love to speak my mind to half of these losers that think you have one up on me or anyone else because we are working/stuck w/ retail positions for the time being. The artice said 20 somethings need time to figure life out, but I think your always going to be figuring life out. Im so embarased about working in retail, my friends and family dont even know exactly what I do, beacause Im so ashamed of looking like a failure with a college degree and lot of potential. I say, retail is an option if your desperate for a steady low income paycheck, but if you find yourself in retail for longer than a year, you need to wake up, stop f***ing around and go for the career your really interested in pursuing for the given time. This article has a huge underlining flaw, its telling you to wait around as life passes you by. I believe 'Lifes not about waiting for the storm to pass, it about learning how to dance in the f***ing rain.' So, take this retail job advice and stick it up your A**! I could not agree more with Damien. He hit the nail directly, smack on the head! I have a business degree and I have been working in retail  for 1 year now, and I have had enough! I work for a big company, but customers love to treat you like sh*t. I dont remember ever going into a retail store and belittling an associate from the get go. I would absolutely love to speak my mind to half of these losers that think you have one up on me or anyone else because we are working/stuck w/ retail positions for the time being. The artice said 20 somethings need time to figure life out, but I think your always going to be figuring life out. Im so embarased about working in retail, my friends and family dont even know exactly what I do, beacause Im so ashamed of looking like a failure with a college degree and lot of potential. I say, retail is an option if your desperate for a steady low income paycheck, but if you find yourself in retail for longer than a year, you need to wake up, stop f***ing around and go for the career your really interested in pursuing for the given time. This article has a huge underlining flaw, its telling you to wait around as life passes you by. I believe 'Lifes not about waiting for the storm to pass, it about learning how to dance in the f***ing rain.' So, take this retail job advice and stick it up your A**!

]]> By: Sean Lyons http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2009/04/15/the-new-post-college-prestige-job-is-retail/comment-page-1/#comment-264335 Sean Lyons Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:12:00 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/?p=2384#comment-264335 this is ridiculous this is ridiculous

]]> By: Amir Lehrer http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2009/04/15/the-new-post-college-prestige-job-is-retail/comment-page-1/#comment-262235 Amir Lehrer Wed, 05 Oct 2011 16:34:00 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/?p=2384#comment-262235 Loved this article.  I have been telling people that the world is changing and people need to change along with it in terms of jobs and career.  I have been thinking a lot about the traditional advice of go to school, get a degree, get a career, etc... and how it has to change with the new world.  I put down some thought at http://temphunting.com/temp-work/go-to-school-get-a-degree-get-a-job-when-will-it-end/ and would love to hear your thoughts or any of your reader's thoughts on this.  Loved this article.  I have been telling people that the world is changing and people need to change along with it in terms of jobs and career.  I have been thinking a lot about the traditional advice of go to school, get a degree, get a career, etc… and how it has to change with the new world.  I put down some thought at http://temphunting.com/temp-work/go-to-school-get-a-degree-get-a-job-when-will-it-end/ and would love to hear your thoughts or any of your reader's thoughts on this. 

]]> By: Mediterranean Queen http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2009/04/15/the-new-post-college-prestige-job-is-retail/comment-page-1/#comment-259308 Mediterranean Queen Wed, 31 Aug 2011 18:55:12 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/?p=2384#comment-259308 YES YES, so agree. Granted, I left retail on purpose because of the hours and low pay, BUT the one great thing it did for me was open me up. Younger, I was very shy and quiet and working retail definitely made me come out of my shell and can now have a complete conversation with a total stranger and not have a care in the world if I said something stupid or whatever. I don't care so much anymore what people think of me, and that's a great feeling. YES YES, so agree. Granted, I left retail on purpose because of the hours and low pay, BUT the one great thing it did for me was open me up. Younger, I was very shy and quiet and working retail definitely made me come out of my shell and can now have a complete conversation with a total stranger and not have a care in the world if I said something stupid or whatever. I don't care so much anymore what people think of me, and that's a great feeling.

]]>