My Journey from Customer Assistant to Store Manager

I had a Saturday job at another large health and beauty retailer and all I really wanted was to get into the world of full-time work and earn myself some money. However there were no bigger opportunities available for me at any time in this company so I used the knowledge of healthcare and retail that I had gained and applied for a job as a part time Customer Assistant in Boots UK instead.

I was enrolled on the Healthcare Advisor programme and thoroughly enjoyed it, but I ended up wanting more. I watched the Dispensers doing their jobs and I knew that this was what I wanted to do, so I quickly completed my healthcare course and moved on to the Dispenser Training Programme. I loved being part of the community and I became more and more interested in pharmacy which led to me eventually being nominated to go further and study for an NVQ3 in pharmacy services. I was able to do my job, earn money and gain an industry-recognised qualification. Boots UK supported me through this and finally two years later I was registered as a Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). This meant I was able to complete my Accuracy Checking Technician qualification, and I was qualified to help take the pressure off the pharmacist by checking prescriptions myself.

During this time, I was asked to do a secondment as a temporary Store Manager, I agreed, mainly to get some management experience and variety, but after gaining additional support and training, I realised that this was what I loved. I was able to do both jobs together. Six years later – here I am as an ACT Store Manager leading and developing my own team. I’m grateful for every opportunity and responsibility I’ve been given and I’ve been supported and believed in every step of the way. I’m proud to work for Boots UK and excited to see what other doors will open in my future with the business.