How the fuck do you escape retail work

You could learn a trade. Or go to community college for a certification, like nursing or ultrasound/radiology tech. Aside from those things, you're probably stuck doing retail, construction, phone sales, warehouse work, and other horrid shit.

You go into call center work and just endure a different kind of hell.

Ever think about checking out a trade school?

Take one of those short courses that teaches you how to install solar panels.

J_Viper said:

As the holiday season inches closer, I'm bracing for the hell I'll face working at a retail store.

I probably shouldn't disclose where I work exactly, but it is a VERY successful tech company that is busy more often than not. They pay well, and I have no problem working with crowds, but this week I've been practically getting spit on by every other customer for no reason at all. Since I began working regularly after high school (I'm 25), all I've known is retail, and I fear I'm starting to reach my breaking point.

My problem is, I don't have a degree, and without that I worry I'll be trapped in this line of work forever. I've been in-and-out of college three times already, it just isn't for me, and I feel like I'm being punished for that.

For those of you out there working a job you like, or at least tolerate, outside of retail, how did you escape? Is there any hope for folks like myself? And is retail this bad everywhere, or only in these rich parts of town that I find myself working in?

help me era

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Tell us the company.

Surely they can't identify you by your ERA name.

Look into Bank Teller positions. The only experience most require is cash handling, which you have plenty of. Its not the biggest step up from retail but it's alot better.

Edit: I went from electronics retail to a bank teller position where I stayed until I graduated from college, no degree is required.

Why not go back to school?

time to go back to school. 25 and only retail experience, finding something isn't necessarily impossible, but it's going to require a ton of luck.

You should get your degree imo.

Temp agency? Or do those not exist anymore? Good way to get your foot in the door somewhere.

Ever try coding? It's something you can get into very easily (i.e. tons of free resources) that doesn't necessarily require a degree.

Get a 2 year tech degree in something. Software, medical equipment, air conditioning, or really anything. It may not make you rich, but it is a solid bump and a lot of fields are very job secure. A lot of retail jobs are going to be automated, so even if you don't get laid off there will be more workers than jobs so pay will stagnate.

It may cost 20k, but you'd get a 20k raise so the ROI is a no brainer.

OP: College isn't for me.

Era: you should go to school and get a degree

Worked retail until I was about 25 or so myself, then I looked into financial aide for getting through school. Luckily community colleges around here are practically free after the bog fee waiver so I used that in addition to the financial aide, looked at the community college -> state school program, went onto state school, took on more financial aide but also started working a student job. Few years later I finished with no debt, student job turned into an actual job and have completely escaped retail hell. It's hard and there will be times when you want to quit but fuck christmas songs and fuck entitled customers who will scream at you.

Try going to school for a trade. It might not sound good but electricians/plumbers and such make great money.

I worked ten years of retail to get promoted enough to not get shit on all day. No degree just patience, if you wanna do that then go ahead. I would advise taking advantage of your companies tuition reimbursement program and trying school again. Other than that good luck.

Trade.

Plumping or election are probably the best in terms of demand/pay/damage to your body. If you live somewhere with unions you could look into that. My dad was a Union Carpenter in NYC and he would make $100,000 on a good year. Destroyed his body but was able to support our family w/ my mom only working part-time. Trade jobs can be less stable though, jobs can finish and you find yourself out of work for a month.

That or getting an associates degree certification in something (nursing, appliance repair, etc.) are your only real options without a degree.

J_Viper said:

how did you escape?

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I did a course to get trained into being an advice worker and part of the course was doing voluntarily placement and I chose to do it at the town hall as I knew that employers love people who have experience of working in a council environment plus it was a good place to build up connection.

I started on the 31st of May and just last week I got a job as a Be well worker, granted I have a degree that relates to it but a degree is no good without experience.

I refused to do retail work it wasn't for me and the pay was low.

Woolley said:

OP: College isn't for me.

Era: you should go to school and get a degree

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If you don't want to learn a skill, you're going to end up doing unskilled work.

A traditional four year college isn't necessary, but he will probably need to do some sort of studying to get a job he'll enjoy.

Woolley said:

OP: College isn't for me.

Era: you should go to school and get a degree

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Without a college degree in America today, or some kind of trade or tech cert, people like OP have very little opportunity. There's not much else to tell him.

I mean, there are a few alternatives. Oil rigs pay good money although I believe they are in a downturn right now. Coal miners and quarry workers are well-paid. If you can get into heavy manufacturing, which has mostly been shipped to China/etc. the pay is very good. On the other hand these jobs can be dangerous. Before I finished my college degree I worked for several years in heavy manufacturing. We had two deaths during my time there and three more in the ~8 years since I've left. So that's the flip side.

I've been in your position, retail was all I knew for awhile too. I worked at a tech focused retailer and worked my share of 12 hour black Friday shifts. One of my best friends left and became a banker, he's doing really well. I went to a tech company and started off in a call center with many opportunities for advancement. I escaped the call center and got promoted, a bunch of people I used to work with at the retail spot are here now in all departments of the company.

It you're good at what you do, you're probably underpaid and can transfer your customer service, sales, and quick learning etc. to another company.

Trade school I guess? I don't think you have other options if college isn't your thing. As least when it comes to traditional routes

Is there something that interests you outside what you are currently doing? You mention being in and out of college, what was your major?

There's a lot of possibilities in the tech industry, but you have to be passionate about it (whatever that might be). There might also be office jobs for you to try. Secretarial work, data entry, mail room jobs, etc. You can network and with some online, on your own, or certificate based training, move into another position in the company.

I personally had the same issue as you. I have a passion for computers, tech, programming and science (physics and astronomy mostly), but every-time I started college I found myself mostly seeing all the other stuff you need to take before programming and physics - history, writing, biology, etc, etc. Not only that but when I finally started seeing programming I was way ahead of the 101 curve, so it bored me to tears.

I stuck with it until I got an associates, and then I left. A friend of mine hooked me up with an office job doing basic data analysis (boring as hell), but I pushed and made sure my programming skills were seen as an asset to the company. Eventually every time I was involved in a project, they were charging the client $20-$50k more. I took online courses, I went on bootcamps, I studied every free minute I had. Now I've worked for three companies as a developer, and now I'm freelancing as a full-stack engineer and I rarely take on projects that don't pay me $100 an hour at minimum.

It can be done. But you need to get out there. Find something that you're really passionate about. Learn it, see if you can get sponsored or otherwise save for a bootcamp or certificate/professional learning. Network. Go online and find communities, ask questions, meet people.

You can start by looking at your hobbies and talents and see if they cam be money makers for you. Can you draw? Maybe you can learn design and do anything from package design to UI design to graphic design. As mentioned trades might be a good option, and the medical field is also a great opportunity if you're willing to go through training for a technician position (doing X-rays, MRI's, dentla cleaning,e tc, etc).

Good luck!

Trade school.

There's a huge demand for that kind of work because everybody went to college instead. You can capitalize on the labor shortage. Electricians and such on Yelp make tons of money.

J_Viper said:

As the holiday season inches closer, I'm bracing for the hell I'll face working at a retail store.

I probably shouldn't disclose where I work exactly, but it is a VERY successful tech company that is busy more often than not. They pay well, and I have no problem working with crowds, but this week I've been practically getting spit on by every other customer for no reason at all. Since I began working regularly after high school (I'm 25), all I've known is retail, and I fear I'm starting to reach my breaking point.

My problem is, I don't have a degree, and without that I worry I'll be trapped in this line of work forever. I've been in-and-out of college three times already, it just isn't for me, and I feel like I'm being punished for that.

For those of you out there working a job you like, or at least tolerate, outside of retail, how did you escape? Is there any hope for folks like myself? And is retail this bad everywhere, or only in these rich parts of town that I find myself working in?

help me era

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Brother, I've been there, it can be tough. Spent all my 20s in retail. One way I found out of it was to focus on working customer service jobs while there. I used that to get a job with a tech company in customer service. I work in a cubicle now, which beats standing all day getting screamed at by shitty customers.

I was in the same situation you are. Went to university but hated my degree so dropped out halfway through and switched my part time supermarket retail gig to a full time one. After a 9 month hiatus as an accounts payable clerk I returned to retail (sales this time) and enjoyed it for a small time. It takes a special type of person to work retail as a career though and I'm not one of them, i started to dislike customers and lack motivation at which point I decided I needed to get out.

This was going to be tough with no qualifications so I found a head office role I was interested in within the same company and worked my up to it through a mix of secondments and calculated role changes and I've never looked back. I'm on good money (better than most of my friends who went to uni in fact) and I love my job. It's rewarding, challenging and I learn something new every day. My only regret is I didn't do it sooner, I wish I'd learned that if you want a change you need to make it happen for yourself at a younger age.

It can be done, find a goal, let your managers know you're interested and ask them for advice on how to make it happen. If they're any good at their jobs they'll look out for opportunities to help you out as well.

Woolley said:

OP: College isn't for me.

Era: you should go to school and get a degree

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Besides college and a trade school is there somewhere else one can learn a skill?

Try picking up a trade.

Also you can go to like trade bootcamps that teach you how to code or be a UX/UI designer.

Woolley said:

OP: College isn't for me.

Era: you should go to school and get a degree

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School is a means to an end. It isn't the goal. Anyone can focus for 2 years and power through

If education isn't an option my recc. would be to try for a job like at a call center or a help desk position if you're tech savy. Check places that aren't explicitly commercial like hospitals, government buildings, etc. I think people overlook hospitals for entry level work a lot of the time but there are so many positions there that don't explicitly need a college degree like transportation, technicians, secretaries, help desk, etc. The benefits are usually good for entry level too.

Sales. If you're in retail, you're thisclose. Sales is the only place you can go without a degree other than service (food, hotels) or manual labor (construction).

Problem: the vast majority of sales jobs are scams. But if you find the right one — say, selling flooring from a wholesaler to businesses — you can make a LOT of money.


OP: the only thing worse than retail is call centers. Don't consider it for a moment.

Got fired and that was the kick i needed

If you just want to get out of retail there are options like finding a production job something like a call center, etc. They are all shit just shit in different ways, so it might just be a matter of picking what type shit you want to eat. If you want something that I would consider to be a decent job then you have to go to school and/or learn a trade.

If college is a no, move up to management

Get some experience, save money (for your personal life as well as possibly moving), start looking for other jobs to hop between that will increase your paycheck. Start networking with people on that level. Connections go a long way.

That's my initial gtfo plan at least. Where I live and with what I'm making it's either that, college, or stagnating.

Boiled Goose said:

School is a means to an end. It isn't the goal. Anyone can focus for 2 years and power through

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I can't speak for OP, but when I tried getting back into college after I had previously dropped out, I couldn't even get through one quarter. Not everyone is capable enough to power through college. I can barely make it through training classes for my work.

OP: Sounds like promotions may be your only bet. Maybe try moving somewhere where you can find a job working for the state.

Get a warehouse job

I'm a community college drop out but built a successful IT engineering career out of hardwork and kicking down doors. So I would say do that, but if you want to just get a helpdesk job and wait your turn for promotions, then don't bother. My real answer for you and I really mean this is go learn a trade. Learn a skill that will pay you well as skilled trade jobs are in demand. I know 2 electricians who make six figures. I know a pool repair guy who makes even more. Don't sleep on the trade industry and don't be fooled by talks of "work smarter not harder". Its displaced a lot of people and fooled people into thinking you "need" a college degree to be successful. You need to be willing to outwork your peers, consistently and be able to actually both tell your bosses your goals and hold them accountable. Don't be afraid of your supervisors, make them respect and value you.

Think of it this way, at 25 years old if you make a decision to change your life now by the time you're 30 you'll be entrenched and have years of experience and can climb throughout your 30s. Or do nothing, work retail forever. You're going to be 30, and 35 years old one day regardless of what you choose to do with your life. Best of luck man, stay the course and don't let saboteurs distract you.

Check out different retail jobs. I sell glasses which is far better than most other retail jobs. I was trained by my company to fit eyeglass lenses and test vision. I always work alone or with a coworker, no managers around which is a huge plus. Now that I think of it, the last time I saw or even heard from the regional manager was November last year.

I'd say go into management, depending on the chain you work at.

I get paid decent enough money just managing a department and can move up higher if necessary.

Network. Go into the utility space.

Not to be a bummer, but I do have a degree and graduated with top honors, and I'm still trying to get a job that's outside retail.

I know your pain though, definitely. I think I may have a heart attack when the turkeys arrive this year. It's like a mini city in my department's cooler. Towers of turkey everywhere.

The worst part I feel is that I can't enjoy the holiday myself. It's so stressful leading up to it, then my schedule is rearranged so that the holiday is my normal day off. So I spend most of it doing housework, laundry, etc. And then of course everyone wants to talk about the food and wonders why I don't want to eat turkey.

After 11 years of retail, I took a pay cut and got an office job doing Customer Support. Did that for a few months and then I moved laterally to Sales Support. After a few months I managed to get into an IT type role where I've been for the past 3 and a half years. No degree or certs. Just computer, problem solving, and people skills.

Ponn said:

You go into call center work and just endure a different kind of hell.

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Holy shit I came to post this.

I was hired at a call center that paid and put me through training to get my P&C license. I worked there for a bit and now work for one of the largest insurance providers in the U.S. remotely(from home). I still have to deal with pissy people and those who cannot understand simple things, but I get to work from home and mute my headset and chew them out.

J_Viper said:

As the holiday season inches closer, I'm bracing for the hell I'll face working at a retail store.

I probably shouldn't disclose where I work exactly, but it is a VERY successful tech company that is busy more often than not. They pay well, and I have no problem working with crowds, but this week I've been practically getting spit on by every other customer for no reason at all. Since I began working regularly after high school (I'm 25), all I've known is retail, and I fear I'm starting to reach my breaking point.

My problem is, I don't have a degree, and without that I worry I'll be trapped in this line of work forever. I've been in-and-out of college three times already, it just isn't for me, and I feel like I'm being punished for that.

For those of you out there working a job you like, or at least tolerate, outside of retail, how did you escape? Is there any hope for folks like myself? And is retail this bad everywhere, or only in these rich parts of town that I find myself working in?

help me era

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Easy.

IT

I was like you working retail while I went to school for IT. I sold cars, TVs, phones, and even worked at Walmart.

Then I realized I didn't need school for IT.

Start watching professor Messer and read the A+ book. Get your A+ cert and enjoy a job starting at 40k fixing desktop issues.

If you don't want to go back to school and have no degree or skill this is going to boil down to "who do you know", not "what do you know". Is there anyone willing to take you under their wing, give you a shot? If there's a position where you can be some sort of "assistant" then you might want to check it out.

One Eyed Willy said:

I'm a community college drop out but built a successful IT engineering career out of hardwork and kicking down doors. So I would say do that, but if you want to just get a helpdesk job and wait your turn for promotions, then don't bother. Degree or not, white collar jobs require a competitive mindset in order to get ahead. My real answer for you and I really mean this is go learn a trade. Learn a skill that will pay you well as skilled trade jobs are in demand. I know 2 electricians who make six figures. I know a pool repair guy who makes even more. Don't sleep on the trade industry and don't be fooled by talks of "work smarter not harder". Its displaced a lot of people and fooled people into thinking you "need" a college degree to be successful. You need to be willing to outwork your peers, consistently and be able to actually both tell your bosses your goals and hold them accountable. Don't be afraid of your supervisors, make them respect and value you.

Think of it this way, at 25 years old if you make a decision to change your life now by the time you're 30 you'll be entrenched and have years of experience and can climb throughout your 30s. Or do nothing, work retail forever. You're going to be 30, and 35 years old one day regardless of what you choose to do with your life. Best of luck man, stay the course and don't let saboteurs distract you.

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This is also all great advice.

never start

I've worked retail since I left education, so for the past ... 8 years? And I understand the frustrating and obnoxious grind, I've found myself actually enjoying it over the years. I also know that it does not have the longevity I may be looking for, so I started taking coding classes online and at-your-pace software education, so that I can fall back on that if I still have not reached certain career goals in the next 5 years.

I guess that would be my advice then: if you're able, do online courses/classes that can be more at your own pace and may help with burn out and anxiety that comes with traditional college courses.