Scott

"My determined attitude helps me to quickly find resolution for issues that may arise between the stores and corporate management. I work to reach a common goal that reflects the image of our company."

Why did you join Macy's, Inc. and why have you stayed?

I first came to Macy's, Inc. as an intern while I was in college. Part of our curriculum was to do an internship in a retail department store. I enjoyed my job and have been with the company ever since. The main reasons I've stayed with Macy's, Inc. include the stability of the company in terms of the vision that Macy's, Inc. has and the promotion opportunities that I've been given to move into other positions.

What do you enjoy most about what you do and what are your overall job responsibilities?

I enjoy that I have the opportunity to visit different stores every day making each day different than the next. That allows me to continue to learn about my stores and the customers of each store. I am the liaison between the central organization for Macy's, Inc. and the stores. My responsibilities are to provide feedback to corporate in terms of how programs, assortments or projects are working or need to be improved. If the company has specific issues with stores that need to be addressed, it is my responsibility to work with the teams to get those corrected.

What contribution do you make to your division and how do you feel you make a difference?

My determined attitude helps me to quickly find resolution for issues that may arise between the stores and corporate management. I work to reach a common goal that reflects the image of our company. I have a lot of initiative to get my job done and to make sure that everyone understands what direction our company is taking. I also contribute an ability to educate everybody in the group on common goals to create a standard vision.

What has been your most memorable moment since joining the company?

Being promoted into a brand new store at a senior-level position has been most memorable to me. The store opened in a market area that has not had a new store in 30 years. It gave me a sense of accomplishment in that I had finally reached my goal of achieving an upper-level position. Everything I had been working for came together. I was given more responsibility that I knew I would be able to handle.

How has the training you've received since joining the company benefited you?

Each class is taught with a holistic approach giving everyone the opportunity to grow in certain ways. People from different departments are mixed into the classes, which lets us meet others in the company while still working toward the same results. The company strives to partner you with others who are knowledgeable and experienced in their jobs.

Is community involvement important to you, have you been involved in any projects in your division and was this something you considered when joining the company?

I am involved with Partners in Time, and I am also personally involved with Race for the Cure. I have several relatives that were diagnosed with breast cancer so I have been actively involved with breast cancer awareness.

What do you like best about your work environment?

Flexibility. In my position, you have to be able to jump from store to store on a moment's notice. I also spend time working on projects in the office. With the flexibility that my job offers, I can get everything done inside and outside the office.

What personal interests/hobbies do you have and how do you balance them with your work?

I try to spend as much time with my four-year-old daughter as I can. We do a tremendous amount of outdoor activity including hiking and swimming. I balance my work life and personal life by prioritizing what's most important. The flexibility in my job allows me to have time to open up my personal life to enjoy other activities.

What advice would you give to a new associate joining the company? What helped you establish yourself and move ahead with your career goals?

Don't be afraid to ask questions. You will only learn by asking questions. I took specific classes during college that were geared to helping people determine what they wanted to get out of a job and what career path to take. My university involvement helped me to set goals for my career and establish positions I wanted to hold. That definitely helped lead me to where I am today.

What do you see in the future for Macy's, Inc.?

The next step for Macy's, Inc. will be creating the reputation of being the national leader in department store chains. The company has already begun to evolve into that title. It will be interesting to see what tools will be put in place to develop that reputation.