u/Hopeful-Cry-8155

Today is my last day at Macys. I worked for Macys in 2019 as a shoes sales associate for about a year and then that position became elimainted since my store went to self-serve for shoes. I came back as a seasonal after applying to many many jobs (I was in graduate school for education but I withdrew because I hated it). I worked at the same store that I worked at in 2019. We are the only Macys in the area unless you went to drive to bigger cities that are 3-4 hours away. I think there is also a couple in the neighboring state but not many. As, I move on I think about my time at Macys and even though its retail, customers are draining, working holidays/weekends and a inconsistent schedule is very draining. I did value my time at Macys.

I do fear that in a couple of years my store may be in trouble for closure. My last couple of shifts during my last two weeks we have been competely dead. Even on a Friday or Saturday. My store manager even said during a rally that we don't have the foot traffic as we used to. I honestly think it's because of our selection, we don't have petities, or plus size. we also don't have a lot of the higher brands that customers come in asking for ( raphl lauren polo (men's and women's), calvin klein (all we have are the mens suits), Nike, brikenstock, north face, Bar III, Tommy Hilfiger etc) my store manager said that it's because plus size and petities don't sell which is crazy to me because I get asked a lot whenever I worked in RTW.

It's also disheartening to tell customers we don't have the brands they want, that I can order it for them ( a lot of our customers are eldery and don't want to mess with ordering online or even know how to do it). Then, they go to Dillards that does have it and we lose business. Another reason is because of shortage, I know the higher value brands are the ones for theft. However, it's since a double standard because we don't have loss prevention at all at my store and associates are expected to ''customer service'' as customers that are suspected of theft.

Another manager told me that Macys corporate wants to focus the product on Macy's in house brands. I am going to be honest some of the qualilty of our Macy's brands equal to about what you can find at a Ross or burlington for way less.

All, in all I do wonder what will happen to my current store in a couple of years? I don't know if we are big enough for a backstage but I do think that would do really well considering I've noticed an increase in last act customers.

These are just my thoughts, does anyone work at a store similar? My store is the smallest in our division I think.

Hello all,

I was in graduate school for teaching, once I reached student teaching I quickly found out that I hated it, my mental health rapidly decreased so I withdrew. After, applying to many many jobs I was offered a part time student services success position for my local community college. I have been wanting to work for a college, and I am excited because I feel this will give me great experience to learn. I do not have a specfic start date yet, I am waiting on HR to call me with a start date. Even though, I am excited about this position I am also very nervous. I have never done this before and I am so used to working with kids or in K-12 public school setting. I just don't want to screw up, and get fired.

Also, will this job help me secure a full time position later on? I know it's a competitive field, and I know a lot of colleges want a masters degree. I would be open to it possibly, I just do not want any more student loan debt and I also don't want to pigeonhole myself with a masters degree in higher student affairs if later I decide that I want to work outside of a college. Does anyone have any general advice for me, and can help ease my nerves? Thank you.