Transitioning from a career in retail to a corporate role can feel like a major step, but it’s more achievable than many people realize. The skills you’ve built in retail, like communication, leadership, and customer service, are highly valuable in today’s corporate and IT environments. With the right training and guidance, these strengths can be reshaped into a strong foundation for success in a new industry.
How to Transition Careers from Retail to a Corporate Career
Training is critical for any professional job. Just imagine a day managing a retail business without any of it. That sounds overwhelming. Training helps you build the skills needed to become efficient in your new role and gives you hands-on opportunities to learn about the field before starting. We know that your skills in management, communication, and customer service will be a great match with our personalized training, hands-on activities, and expert teachers. Our IT career training program prepares every Centriq student for a lifelong IT career.
Online IT Training Program
A few months is all it takes to step into a new industry. Our curriculum is focused on networking, systems, and security to provide optimal IT network support. This is a strategic path towards your first day at your dream job.
Cybersecurity Specialist Program (CSSP)
Learn more about our Cybersecurity Training Program.
Full Stack Coding Program
Learn more about our Full Stack Developer Training Program.
Alternatives to Retail Jobs
There are a variety of options of jobs to get out of retail. While you may wonder if tech is a possible alternative, we’re here to reassure you that there are good job opportunities out there to transition into.
Retail managers dip their toes in a little bit of everything which is why they have plenty of potential in the IT industry. Leaving retail management won’t require you to leave behind your skills. In fact, we encourage you to bring them with you to our IT training program and into your future role.
A career in information technology can be in your future. Here are a few entry level roles we recommend looking into:
- Cybersecurity Specialist
- IT Support Specialist
- Computer Technician
- Technical Support Technician
- Help Desk Technician
- Desktop Support Technician
- Service Desk Analyst
- NOC Technician
Cybersecurity Specialist
Security support specialists are essential to any organization, as they are responsible for overseeing and managing the company’s security. They must be highly skilled in safeguarding information from cyber threats and in monitoring for any suspicious activity. Learn more about Cybersecurity Specialists.
IT Support Specialist
IT Support Specialists play a core role in organizations by providing information technology support. This can look like answering questions and resolving technical issues, troubleshooting problems and maintaining software, and improving IT systems. Learn more about IT Support Specialists.
Computer Technician
Computer Technicians help set companies up for success. A regular day may look like installing computers, printers, or software and working on managing the organization’s network and equipment. Learn more about Computer Technicians.
Technical Support Technician
Technical Support Specialists get their hands metaphorically dirty by getting down to the nitty-gritty of computer support and troubleshooting. They provide end-users with assistance in technical, software, and hardware problems. Learn more about Technical Support Specialist.
Help Desk Technician
Help Desk Technicians help keep the system running smoothly by managing communications between the end user and the rest of the IT team. Sorting support tickets, diagnosing problems, and guiding customers to where they need to go is a glimpse into their day-to-day. Learn more about Help Desk Technicians.
Desktop Support Technician
Desktop Support Technicians develop strong understandings of the system and its hardware and software. They are all about supporting and maintaining the organization’s technology to ensure optimal workspace performance. Learn more about Desktop Support Technicians.
Service Desk Analyst
Service Desk Analysts are IT professionals who help monitor inquiries, problems, and IT issues as well as responding to and supporting end users who request help. Learn more about Service Desk Analysts.
NOC Technician
NOC Technicians also known as Network Operations Center Technicians keep operations up and going by keeping an eye on user incident and outage reporting and then providing resolutions as needed. This could look like direct support to the customer or implementing or repairing firewalls, routing, or remote access protocols. Learn more about NOC Technicians.
Retail Transferable Skills That Will Help You in Your IT Career Shift
Retail professionals gain a broad range of valuable skills throughout their careers. From leadership and problem-solving to strong communication and attention to detail, they build abilities that can easily transfer into office-based roles. For individuals looking to move away from retail, a transition into information technology can be an excellent career path.
Many of the skills developed in retail align well with positions in the IT field. For instance, experience working directly with customers can prepare you to resolve technical issues and respond to user concerns as a help desk technician. Attention to detail developed on the sales floor can be beneficial when establishing systems and procedures as a NOC technician. In addition, the ability to remain calm under pressure and manage stress effectively is essential for IT support specialists when troubleshooting technical problems.
Some of the key transferable skills include:
- Communication: Explaining information clearly and assisting with troubleshooting.
- Customer Service: Supporting users with patience and professionalism when technical issues arise.
- Problem Solving: Quickly recognizing and resolving technical challenges.
- Multitasking: Managing several responsibilities and priorities at the same time.
- Attention to Detail: Maintaining accuracy when diagnosing and configuring systems.
- Team Collaboration: Cooperating effectively with coworkers to accomplish common objectives.