From Christmas temp to future leader

I didn’t take the most typical route into retail. I studied Law at the University of Exeter and graduated in July 2024. After I graduated, I went back to my summer job at an outdoor aqua park. I’d applied to a few graduate schemes, but honestly, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, and I felt a bit lost.

That’s when I applied for a temporary Customer Assistant role at the M&S Clacton store over Christmas. At the time, I had no idea how much that one application would change things for me.

From day one, I loved the buzz of working at M&S. I enjoyed the early mornings, the fast pace, and being part of a team. No two days were ever the same, and that kept things exciting. It didn’t take long for me to realise that I didn’t want a job where I would be sitting behind a desk all day. I wanted to be on the shop floor, in the action and making a difference every day.

On Christmas Eve, the People Partner for East Anglia visited the store and spoke to me about development opportunities within M&S. They told me they saw potential in me, and things moved quickly from there.

Since then, I’ve had the chance to work in multiple stores, learn from experienced colleagues, and take on more and more responsibility. I’ve been given real development opportunities and support to build my skills, all within just a few months of joining. That experience helped me take a big next step: applying for the M&S Retail Leaders graduate scheme.

Getting a place on the graduate scheme is no small achievement. It’s incredibly competitive and involves a tough recruitment process - from application to online assessment, face-to-face assessment centre and interviews with the senior management and regional teams*. I applied, alongside thousands of other people, and I’m proud to have earned my place. I remember being able to say to my parents, “You’re never going to believe what’s happened.” I never imagined that applying for a Christmas temp job could lead to an exciting future like this.

One of the biggest learning curves for me has been working with and managing colleagues older than me. From the beginning, I made sure I was respectful and showed a real willingness to learn from everyone in store. That’s made all the difference. My colleagues and managers have been so supportive, and I’ve learnt so much from them already.

What makes M&S special is the way it recognises potential and gives people the tools to succeed. The company invests in people who are willing to work hard and show commitment. I’ve felt that support from the very beginning and I’ve been really grateful to be recognised for my work, and it’s made me even more excited for what’s ahead.

If you’re thinking about applying for a role at M&S, whether it’s a temporary position or something longer term, I’d absolutely say go for it. You never know where it might lead. I’ve had a brilliant time as a Customer Assistant, and by being open to learning and taking on new challenges, I’ve found a path I didn’t even know existed.

Through the Retail Leader’s Programme my goal is to become a Store Manager over the next year and eventually explore regional or international roles. There are so many different routes you can take at M&S, and for anyone who’s driven and willing to learn, the opportunities really are there.

Visit the In-Store page to find out more about a career with us.

*NB The typical recruitment process for our 2025 Early Career cohort. This is subject to change.