Now I'm one of those people that always hated school and found that the school system never was teaching what actually mattered. Foe example, the entire school was using a Unix backbone, but getting hands on relevant courses about the exact systems the school actually used, was not possible.
So, nobody from the school could get trained on the actual gear the school used.
It's also been recently found that most schools can't keep up with the curriculum which relates to programming, the Internet, and web development. As new languages come to market and become a core part of programming for many businesses they need people who are experienced in a language which typically isn't taught at any school.
Self-teaching and gaining experience, and a foot in the door at ANY professional organization is what I consider the most critical step.
Retail is not professional in about any manner. Management of retail is, generally, not either.
Kids start working retail as early as 14 years old - it's a first job. In many parts of the country now, it's adults working the jobs because there is nothing else. But, if you want to earn money, then you have to completely avoid the most available job you can get. Avoid the easy money grab with retail or working in food service. There can be money in those fields, but only for the top people, and there really isn't job security because the economy can turn and you can not only be unemployed, but unemployed with a skill set that thousands of others already have.
So, take the job in the field which you are interested in which has money. Take the garbage job in that field. Whether it's data entry, or customer support, or whatever else. Work weekends while you are in school, but work in the right job which has a growth pattern which leads you towards your end goal. Don't worry if the job sucks, but you work it for 2 years and if you quit, make sure you quit to move to something better.
Job jumping can be considered very bad. Quitting a job after a short period can be bad, or leaves gaps in your resume which is also something bad.
For me, what has worked is always wearing a suit to the interviews and being prepared with a good attitude and a well written resume in hand. If you know you are there to take out the trash for the CEO, then wear a suit and show pure confidence in your ability to take that trash out better than anyone else.
The atmosphere and potential of everything you encounter is your own to make and develop. School may, or may not, be a part of it. But, a well developed skill set with real world experience can take you to a position far beyond what school can offer by itself. More and more people are finding that college degress don't pay off. But, the opportunities to hook up with professional organizations which give you the path towards a top shelf career can be found in school, and are perhaps the most important thing you should utilize while at school.
If your school offers you an education, but can't help you get a job, then all it's done is cost you money for something you truly could have done on your own.
Good luck!
