As a college student, balancing school, work, and a personal life can be overwhelming.

Working in retail can offer a solution. 

Owner of Scent Workshop, Brianne Van Hemert, hires students and has seen firsthand how retail work allows them to have a successful work-life balance while learning professional skills along the way.

Here are ten reasons why you should consider retail as a college student. 

1. You’ll Have a Flexible Work Schedule

Part-time employees make up most of Brianne’s team, with college students being a large part of it. You may have sports, clubs, or other commitments that sometimes take time away from work. Brianne understands this and remains flexible because, as she puts it, “When they’re committed, they’re committed. And if you show them that flexibility, they’re going to always show up.” Her approach supports a busy schedule and builds a loyal, hardworking team. Many other retailer owners do the same. 

One of the biggest reasons you should consider retail as a college student is the flexibility it offers. Unlike traditional office jobs that require a strict 9-to-5 commitment, retail offers shift options that fit your lifestyle, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and seasonal roles. This makes balancing work, school, extracurriculars, and personal time much easier, without feeling overwhelmed. Not to mention, you will learn valuable skills while you work.

2. You’ll Gain Valuable Work Experience

At Scent Workshop, employees teach customers about the art of French perfuming, helping them craft their own unique scent. This requires a high level of creativity and communication, qualities that employers across all industries value. Retail is also a great starting point if you’re unsure what your future looks like. It can equip you with the skills necessary to make you a strong candidate in the job market, or you can grow to love it, working your way up through the ranks to have a satisfying and reliable career – especially in Illinois!

Everyday retail tasks such as stocking inventory, hosting large parties, and handling customer requests can help you hone your skills in organization, time management, and multitasking in a professional setting. Additionally, you’ll build your communication skills as you interact with people daily and work closely with coworkers. The added plus – everything you learn can be easily transferred to other part-time jobs or your future career, making retail a great stepping stone for anything you choose to pursue. 

3. You’ll Be An Expert in People Skills  

Retail is all about people. No matter who comes through the door, as a student-employee, it’s your job to communicate effectively with them, address their concerns, and help them navigate the retail space. This means being adept in active listening, conflict resolution, patience, and empathy. 

Working with a diverse customer base and dealing with ever-changing customer concerns can help you develop these skills. Scent Workshop has seen everyone, from 4-year-olds to 100-year-olds. Men and women alike have participated in the Scent Workshop experience, highlighting why this expertise is so necessary. You’ll quickly learn that interacting with people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives is a significant benefit of working in retail. 

4. You’ll Earn While You Learn 

College is the perfect time to start building your resume. You might be looking for internships at large companies, overlooking nearby small businesses, like Scent Workshop. Unlike unpaid internships, retail positions can provide immediate financial support and the necessary work experience. The ability to earn income and complete school simultaneously will give you ease if you’re struggling financially, need to supplement financial aid, or are just looking for extra money. 

Some retail jobs even offer additional financial perks for employees. For example, many retailers offer employee discounts, which can be a bonus if you’re looking to save on gifts or personal items. With a little research, you can also find stores that may provide tuition assistance or scholarship opportunities, making retail a smart choice that can aid in funding your education.  

5. You’ll Learn Financial Responsibility 

As a college student, you know how hard it is to manage tuition, rent, and daily expenses. A benefit of working in retail is that it can lead to financial independence. Earning a steady income can push you to develop money management skills and learn how to save, budget, and manage your spending.  

At retail spaces like Scent Workshop, you can learn about pricing, sales strategies, and financial transactions, all while working behind the counter. These hands-on experiences will help you understand the value of money and how small financial decisions can add up over time. By working in retail, you’ll gain real-world financial literacy that will benefit you long after graduation.

6. You Don’t Need Prior Work Experience

One of the biggest benefits of working in retail as a college student is that you don’t need any prior job experience to get started. Many retail employers welcome students eager to learn and provide on-the-job training to help them develop essential skills. At Scent Workshop, employees are hired based on their passion for the business and expressed interest, proving that you don’t have to have a work background or a resume to go far in the hiring process.  

After you are hired, most employers will gradually immerse you in the retail world. You’ll start slow, eventually taking on more and more responsibilities, such as managing employees and helping with workshops. This supportive environment allows you to grow at your own pace and gain confidence in a professional setting. Whether you plan to stay in retail or move on, learning on the job provides a valuable opportunity for personal and professional growth.

7. You’ll Learn How Community Drives Business Success

Retail is deeply connected to community, and Scent Workshop is an excellent example of that. Brianne intentionally embedded herself in Galena by joining local organizations, collaborating with neighboring businesses, and introducing herself to other shop owners before opening her doors. This approach helped Scent Workshop become a recognized and recommended experience for visitors and locals alike.

For college students, working in retail offers early exposure to how relationships and community involvement directly impact business success. You’ll see firsthand how partnerships, word-of-mouth, and local engagement help a business grow. These lessons are valuable whether you pursue entrepreneurship, marketing, nonprofit work, or any career built on relationships and trust.

8. You’ll Get Hands-On Experience in Creative Problem Solving

At Scent Workshop, every day brings a new problem to solve. Employees must guide customers in selecting the fragrance they want to create, help manage workshops, adapt to varying group sizes, and respond to real-time customer needs. This type of environment can be hard to handle at first, but with time, it can benefit you in the long run.

Why? 

These retail roles can teach you how to think on your feet, adjust plans quickly, and solve problems as they arise. These skills translate directly into academic group work, internships, and future careers. Learning how to stay calm, creative, and solutions-focused under pressure is a powerful benefit of working retail during college.

9. You’ll Build Confidence by Owning the Customer Experience

Retail gives college students a unique opportunity to take ownership of real moments that matter. At Scent Workshop, employees are trusted to lead workshops, guide customers through personal scent creation, and help shape an experience visitors will remember after they leave Galena.

Being responsible for those moments builds confidence quickly. You learn how to speak clearly, make decisions, and trust your judgment when working with customers. Over time, this sense of ownership helps students grow more self-assured, both professionally and personally. That confidence often carries into presentations, interviews, leadership roles, and future workplaces.

10. You’ll Have Fun! 

Retail jobs are fun, fast-paced, and interactive, making them far more enjoyable than traditional desk jobs. Instead of sitting at a computer all day, you’ll be able to talk with customers and actively contribute to the team. This dynamic work environment keeps things interesting and allows you to develop multitasking skills while staying active. 

Scent Workshop is a perfect example of this. It focuses on creating an immersive experience where customers participate in fragrance-making workshops for candles, colognes, and perfumes. Parties and special events are frequent, creating an energetic, lively space. If you’re considering working retail as a college student, choosing a place that encourages creativity and customer engagement is key to making your job feel less like work and more like fun.

Conclusion

Retail jobs offer so much. If you’re still considering retail as a college student, consider how the right retail position can provide financial support, real-world experience, career growth, and life skills. 

Beyond earning a paycheck, retail gives you valuable experience that will benefit you in any future career. Plus, the connections you make with customers, coworkers, and business owners can open unexpected doors down the line. If you’re in school and considering your next job, the answer is simple: choose retail. 

If you loved learning about Scent Workshop’s story and know a retailer who deserves recognition, Nominate A Retailer to submit your nomination!