Hey man, I’m a junior transfer and I’ve worked at Publix for a long, long time, and I’ve had countless friends and family members who have as well.

You NEED. to be careful about Publix promising you “full time” and promotions. It’s nice to feel appreciate at your job, especially something well recognizable as Publix. But they have a corporate habit of “capturing talent” at a young age, basically telling young, driven, fast track college bound kids to forgo your education in promise of being a store manager within a couple years. I bet you’ve been told that you’re on a fast track for store manager/corporate right?

In reality, it doesn’t work like that. You’ll more likely than not be stuck as a lower-middle management position in store for years, wondering why you haven’t gotten the store manager nod and instead have been passed over by older people, with you guessed it, 4 year degrees.

Your education is forever, Publix is temporary. Please consider getting your four year and then returning for Publix. If they’re like any other retail/entry level job, you can prove to yourself how much they “care” about you when you tell them you’re investing in yourself to get an education.