How I moved from Retail to Corporate

If someone had told me back in 2020 – when I was a part-time cashier at Walmart, scanning groceries with a mask on, that one day I’d be in a corporate role… I would have believed them!!! Hehe yes! I would have because I had always planned that. Maybe not with Walmart (since I wasn’t aware of the opportunities back then) but I definitely knew that this was just the start and there would be more to come.

And here I am! And if you are working in Retail right now, maybe reading this during your break, standing eight hours a day, or wondering if this can ever lead to “something more” I want this story to show you: it absolutely can.

This is my journey, unfiltered, honest and proof that your starting point does not define your destination. Your determination does.

The beginning:

I came to Canada in 2019 as an international student and like most international students, I started working part-time. I started with food chains, but then in 2020 during COVID, I joined Walmart, since food chains were mostly laying off their staff and only essential businesses were open.

Back then, I did not see retail as a long-term path. I always told myself that I would leave the company after I graduated not knowing how many opportunities this company had for me.

I did not realize how working in retail would build the foundation of so many traits. How I talk, how I lead, how I handle stress, how I solve problems, how I understand people and how I can help the people around me.

Moving up: Taking opportunities nobody asked me to take

One thing about me is that I am curious! I ask questions and I love to participate. As a cashier, I always engaged with my coworkers who had been in the company for a while back then. I talked to my direct supervisors about processes and procedures they followed. I took on tasks outside my job description.

I knew I could not work Full-time until I graduated and therefor for the first two years with Walmart, I would have to stay part-time which meant no promotion, since most of the roles are Full-time. However, I knew that I could use that time to prepare myself and make the most out of it.

I showed genuine interest in learning and opportunities. I asked my CSMs (Customer Service Managers) to teach me some of the tasks that they perform so that I can assist them. Luckily, they were all very helpful and encouraged me as well.

So when I graduated and finally had the ability to accept a full-time role, I immediately went to my Assistant Manager and expressed my interest (more like emphasized it since he already knew that I was interested, but now I had to tell him that I CAN). I can work full-time and I would love to take the next step.

Soon we had an opening for Customer Service Manager, which would be a natural next step for a Cashier and when I went to interview for that role, I took a piece of paper with me and listed all the reasons why I would be the perfect fit. I explained to him how I have been following CSMs and learning their tasks already and that I had the knowledge. I presented myself as an asset to the team as it would take less time to train me since I had been helping CSMs with many of their duties.

And guess what? I got it. My first taste of leadership. I managed front-end flow, cashier schedules, cash registers, angry customers, complex transactions and much more.

Discovering my love for People and HR

As a CSM, I naturally inclined towards helping people, coaching them, encouraging them and solving problems. We had an on-site HR role called Personnel Manager and I was intrigued by the role.

There were growth opportunities in other departments and positions as well like Fashion Department Manager or OMNI Department Manager, but when I did not apply for those other roles, my store manager called me in and asked me why. She knew I had always wanted to grow. I had always shown my interest and been active in store events. That’s when I also realized that I was being noticed. I explained to her how those roles did not motivate me and I did not resonate with them enough to pursue them the way I resonated with the HR role.

My store manager took note of my aspirations and my specific interest in Human Resources. When the Personnel Manager position became available, I seized the opportunity and applied. This changed my path! I got the role, and I was on cloud nine!

Now I was learning hiring, orientations, scheduling, HR policies, employee relations, documentation, conflict management, coaching, and so much more. I was completely enjoying my role. I made meaningful connections, hosted many events for associates , and increased engagement.

Pivoting again: Becoming a Compliance Lead

While working as a PM, I received my Permanent Residency! Woohoo! Now that I was a permanent resident, I could change roles , locations , and even grow more. My next goal was the Store People Partner role which is a Home Office role and is still on my career action plan. I went ahead and spoke to the Market People Manager and asked him what he looks for in a good SPP.

He explained how they look at a number of factors. SPP is an advisory role , and a jump from PM to SPP wasn’t the natural path. They preferred someone who understands the operations side of the role and has managed a store at an ASM or Co-Manager level within Walmart , or who has HR management experience externally.

A PM is more like an HR coordinator role , and thus wasn’t enough for me to take that big step. I also did not have any education in HR. I have a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. Thus, I decided to take the ASM path , for which a Lead Support Manager role is a very good first step.

So, when the Compliance Lead role opened, I interviewed and transferred. My goal was clear: Compliance Lead, Assistant Manager , and then Store People Manager. And while I worked, I also started taking part-time courses in Human Resources.

The Compliance Lead role pushed me to think bigger. It taught me discipline, detail, responsibility , and professionalism.

Realizing I wanted more

Somewhere between orientations, safety audits , and people management, I realized that this did not have to be the only path. I realized that I should not restrict myself.

Walmart’s Home Office is in Mississauga, but I did not want to move there so I had to skip many roles. I was looking for something within Winnipeg or Calgary.

I told my leaders about my aspirations. I asked more questions, took on more tasks, received feedback , and worked on it.

And then one day in 2024 , a job posting appeared: 'Global Mobility Analyst', Location: Calgary!

As I read through the job description and the qualifications, my smile got bigger. I completely resonated with the role, and I met the requirements. This role was focused on supporting foreign workers, resource development, workshops, training, stakeholder communication, policy updates , etc.

I immediately applied.

But I did not sit back and wait for them to pick my resume. I took initiative. I found the hiring managers and emailed them "Why choose me?" I listed how I met the qualifications and that I had past experience working with foreign workers . I myself was a foreign worker so I understood the policies and processes on a personal level.

And I got an interview. My store manager endorsed me.

And now, I work in Calgary across various distribution centers. I guide people through support provided by Walmart, helping them understand immigration policies , provide necessary documents for PR purposes , and prepare training guides.

And let me tell you that this is not where it ends. The Store People Partner role is still on my radar, and I am now even closer to that role. I work with the SPPs directly and I am currently working on my career action plan. I have a mentor, I am learning about the role, I am connecting with the Market Managers. I still haven’t stopped learning or taking initiative. I still take on additional duties and responsibilities, and I am standing on business!

I am focusing on my current role, getting better at it and side-by-side learning about the new role and preparing myself for when the opportunity presents itself.

What I want you to take away

If you are in retail and dreaming of more, here’s what I want you to know:

1. Retail isn’t a dead end. It’s training

2. Speak up. Leaders can’t help you if they don’t know you want to grow.

3. Corporate roles appreciate people who understand the front line – that’s YOU

4. Every job you have done will matter someday. Nothing is Waste. You just need to recognize.

5. Don't lose hope. Stay determined.

Going from retail to corporate isn’t luck. It’s not reserved for special people. It’s not only for those with perfect resumes. It’s for anyone willing to show interest, learn continuously, step up, ask questions and believe in themselves even when they are standing on the sales floor at 9pm.

If I can do it, so can you.

Look out for my new blog post coming soon: How to move from Retail to Corporate, where I will share tips and tricks so that you can do this too!

Hope this inspired you.