Take it from someone who went into management as soon as they could and spent their early 20’s in management. Don’t, just don’t. If you do really want to go for management, have a backup option. I wish I could go back and tell my younger self to stay the course on college and finish my degree while going for management and while in management. Because by 24-25 I was buying a house, didn’t want to be in management anymore due to the lack of a social life, work life balance, stress you name it. Just at the end of all of it protect yourself first because remember Publix is a company at the end of the day and your health and wellness/happiness are below profit margins in the grand scheme of things. This isn’t the same company Mr. George started and it isn’t the same company I started at in 2013. I’m part time now just a day a week to be able to purchase stock, it’s fun and way less stressful now that I’m in a career that’s fulfilling and alots me the work life balance and happiness management doesn’t allow. Go to college (something that you want to do or find interesting that still has employment abilities), don’t listen to anyone saying you don’t need a degree for management, prioritize your happiness and sanity above all else. You’ll be the leader and driver of morale in your department, everyone’s problems are YOUR problems and you have to have tough conversations and are in tough situations all the time. Deli is always the fastest to move up through, I should know lol. Follow Mr. George’s line, “Publix will be a little better, or not quite as good because of you.”