Walmart to Help Associates Get College Degrees

[cookderosa]

Walmart appears to be offering degree programs that can benefit them. This benefits employees who plan to stay. Their target audience is definitely not people looking to take on a temporary job just to get a free degree, obviously. You can use them that way, but this is not a good option for most people.

Sure, but it's mutually beneficial for those who follow through. By working while you complete the degree, you've racked up a nice employment history (3+ years) that probably included a promotion (potential employers LOVE that), and work experience as a manager (!). By the time you leave Walmart, if you're smart, you've got solid work history with a promotion and 1+ year management experience. Not only are you a solid job candidate, but you're a desirable one. That's markedly different from the meandering path many people take- which is to work retail while in school and then upon graduation expect a management position with a different company at a higher rate of pay/responsibility despite having no experience. Companies promote from within -that's a fact, and hiring random managers with no management experience? Unlikely.

Also, and this isn't specific to Sananton'es comments, but I LOVE these kinds of "off the beaten path secrete passageways." The less likely that they appeal to "most people" the more likely they are to appeal to me. It's within these little narrow opportunities that you can really find something great. Why? Because things that appeal or work for "most people" have crappy ROI...they're tired and worn. Companies know that "most people" don't go to college. Of those who do, most won't finish in 6 years. Most people will borrow to attend college, and most will have a student loan payment for years. I know most people find safety in numbers, but we've always looked for unexpected opportunities as a family, and its served us very well. There are about a zillion famous quotes that suggest taking the road less traveled or seeing what the masses are doing and then do the opposite. Those are my people.