Sometimes a career can head in a direction one least expects. And, many times, especially for Army wife Chelsea Smith, it’s all about putting yourself in the right place at the right time.
Smith, an Army wife of 10 years, has an education degree and began her career working as a teacher. When she and her husband moved to their next duty station in Virginia, the job market wasn’t great for teachers. With no children at the time and deployments and trainings ahead, Smith wanted to do something to keep busy, as well as contribute to her family income. She found work as a seasonal sales associate at Kirkland’s, a home décor and gift store.
“I started in the fall and wasn’t even guaranteed a position past January,” Smith said. But she continued to work through the holidays. Soon, the Smiths received orders to go to Georgia which sadly, was another area that was furloughing teachers.
Upon learning of her impending move, Smith immediately spoke with her manager who contacted the Kirkland’s manager in the city she was moving to. Fortunately, there was an assistant manager position available. Smith’s manager highlighted her experience and education but initially Smith was hired as a sales associate.
Smith’s philosophy is, “you get in the door, then you show your leadership skills and you can put yourself at the top of the list when it’s time to promote.”
When the next deployment began, Smith elected to work long hours and impressed her manager with her skills and work ethic. When the assistant manager had to vacate her position, Smith was quickly promoted. As assistant manager, Smith was responsible for opening and closing, making daily deposits, employee schedules and some disciplinary situations. She also came in contact with other managers from surrounding area stores and to this day, still keeps in touch with many of them.
“Working in retail gave me the opportunity to be exposed to people from multiple places, and as a military spouse, you never know who you’re going to see again,” Smith said.
Smith worked in this capacity until her husband returned home and she became pregnant with their first child. During this time, she recruited some of her friends who also came on board as sales associates and really showed the manager just how hard military spouses work, picking up extra shifts and working doubles if necessary.
As her pregnancy progressed, Smith chose to stop working. Just a few months after her son was born, the store closed and moved to a new location. Smith’s manager reached out to her to request some part-time help in opening the new store and training new employees. Smith agreed, and after a fallout with the current assistant manager, Smith took on the role again until someone new could be hired.
Smith spoke highly of the contacts she made working for this company and feels secure that if she moves to another area where Kirklands is, she can find work at the level she left, due to her experience and connections.
Working in retail may not have been the job she dreamed of but is the job she needed.
“Take a chance, even if it’s not your ideal job, you’re making friends and contacts that can be an asset later,” she said. “It can be one more contact in your pocket for a job or reference down the road.”
Another move and another baby later, Smith, now 31, is the Director of the Child Development Center for Child and Youth Services at their current post. She credits her retail management experience in helping her obtain this position.
“I had the education already, but then my experience in managing people in retail made me eligible for this fantastic job,” Smith said.
Military life is full of twists and turns and Smith continues to fully embrace them and make her own opportunities.
“Working in retail may have seemed like I wasn’t using my education but it ultimately got me to where I am now. When choosing to work in retail, it’s shift work and can be long hours, so always do what’s best for your family, but for me, it was a valuable experience and in the long run, it was worth it.”
