What is it like to work at Walmart as a student or recent grad?

Walmart is the largest employer in the world with 2.1 million employees. As such, it offers a wide range of experiences for its employees. The experience of someone early in their career at Walmart will vary depending on their role, location, management, and individual aspirations.

There are many factors to consider when deciding whether to work at Walmart or any other organization, including:

1. Diversity of Opportunities: Walmart has a vast range of positions, from in-store roles (cashiers, stock associates, department managers) to specialized positions at their corporate offices (like analysts, IT specialists, and marketers). This means that someone early in their career could potentially explore various roles.
2. Learning and Development: Walmart offers training programs, especially for those in management tracks. The company has even established training academies across the U.S. to help store associates advance in their careers.
3. Networking: Given its size and scale, working at Walmart can allow employees to establish a broad professional network. This can be invaluable as one progresses in their career.
4. Scale and Impact: Working at such a large company gives employees insight into the complexities and challenges of operating at scale. Decisions made can affect thousands of stores and millions of customers.
5. Corporate Culture: Some early-career employees appreciate the structured environment that a large corporation like Walmart provides, which can offer a sense of stability. On the flip side, some might feel the environment is too bureaucratic or hierarchical.
6. Benefits: Walmart offers competitive wages for retail, especially for its hourly associates. They also offer benefits such as health insurance, 401(k) plans, and employee discounts.
7. Community Involvement: Walmart has a strong presence in many communities and often participates in or sponsors local events, which can provide additional opportunities for engagement and networking.
8. Challenges: Working in retail can be challenging, with weekend and holiday hours, dealing with a wide variety of customers, and the physical demands of some positions (e.g., standing for extended periods or heavy lifting).
9. Career Advancement: Many of Walmart’s executives started in entry-level positions and worked their way up. The company often promotes from within, so there is potential for upward mobility.
10. Varied Experiences: As with any large organization, individual experiences will vary widely based on the specific store, region, or department. Management quality can vary, which can greatly influence an employee’s perception of the company.
11. Ethical Considerations: Walmart has faced criticism over the years for various practices related to labor, environment, and business practices. Some employees may grapple with these considerations, while others may feel the company’s positive impact and initiatives outweigh the criticisms.