Like many other young people in their mid- to -late teens, my first job was in retail. A small clothing boutique in a busy suburban mall was where I spent my first few years as a sales associate. I learned everything there was to know about retail'like ways to effectively communicate with customers, how to up-sell, how to set up new merchandise, and how to handle money. I spent the early years mastering my sales skills and learning from my superiors. Before I knew it, I was a sales supervisor where I then had the opportunity to mentor other young people, who were just getting started in the workplace.

A common trait that I found all new associates had: they were raw and eager to learn. Above all, despite only making minimum wage, they were money-hungry students (perfectionists, even) who always made sure they got the job done, and did it right.

Why retail?

"Students have a fresh approach to retail—something veterans in the business don't always have," says Michael Chan, campus recruiter at Target. "Students are driven to succeed and propose innovative and creative ideas as they have not yet been influenced by routines that have been put in place before them."

At Target, all new talent takes part in in-class and in-store training where they gather both theoretical and practical experience. They're also paired with mentors at each store, who give them a realistic look into what it's like to build a career with the company.

"Students also connect well with customers, given the brands they represent as well as their personal interests," says Michael LeBlanc, senior vice president of Digital Retail at the Retail Council of Canada. "Workplaces look at diverse teams in order to deliver to diverse customers, and help create a welcoming retail experience."

In return, students are equipped with skills in customer service, sales, communication, and problem solving in different positions throughout the industry, from sales to e-commerce to IT to marketing. "Students, in both high school and post-secondary, who are studying in a variety of disciplines may find part-time or full-time opportunities in the field that they are studying in—thus supporting their learning," says LeBlanc.

A popular path

With busy school schedules and all-nighters, students are drawn to opportunities in retail because of its flexible scheduling, good compensation, and chances for advancement.

"Students are often drawn to brands and businesses that align with their values and interests," adds LeBlanc. For example, outdoor adventure, fashion, cultural products, health and wellness, and global brands appeal to some, while local, independent businesses appeal to others.

And when thinking long-term, retail has flourished into one of the country's most stable and lucrative industries. "Students often think of retail as working on a sales floor in a store," says Chan. "While that is an aspect of retail, there are so many different types of jobs across the retail spectrum, like merchandisers, logistics managers, buyers, and market researchers."

Opportunity for growth is huge and I think that's a big reason why students are considering retail as a career path more and more.

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