Student Q&A: Vanja Rikanovic
Editor's note: Upskilled is currently not taking enrolments for Retail Management. Please contact us on 1300 009 924 to discuss other course options.
Vanja Rikanovic studied the SIR40316 - Certificate IV in Retail Management with Upskilled. At a young age, her passion for retail started when she was working at a business owned by her family. Her interest in the retail industry only grew stronger from there. From her family roots to her genuine liking for retail, this encouraged her to take up an online course in hopes to advance her career in the industry.
In this Q&A, Vanja shares more about her course experience, how online studying helped her throughout pregnancy and her short and long-term goals for the future.
Why did you decide to study the SIR40316 - Certificate IV in Retail Management?
I’ve been interested in retail since high school and I was looking for a course in the area. I saw that the course with Upskilled was nationally-recognised and had a lot of units I was interested in; units that could help me build my knowledge in retail and help me grow and work as a manager.
How has the course helped you professionally?
It has helped me build my knowledge about a lot of things in retail. To become a manager, you have to know a lot of things - almost everything in detail since you’re asked questions by everyone and you have to provide the answers. Through this course, I learnt a lot of things and it has helped me feel ready to become a good manager. I learnt how to:
- Manage work priorities and professional development
- Monitor store financials and roster staff
- Maintain store security
- Lead frontline teams
- Maintain employee relations
- Coordinate visual merchandising activates
- Achieve sales results
- Control stocks
- and more;
What would you say are the benefits of studying online?
I could study in my own time and it helped me achieve my goals online. During my studies, I was pregnant and then the baby came, so I wouldn’t have had time to study differently. My goal was to finish this course before I could start working again, and I wanted to be prepared for new work challenges.
How did your trainer support you throughout the course?
I have to say that my trainer was very supportive during my studies. He answered a lot of my questions very fast and clearly via email or phone. If I didn’t contact him for some time, he would call to check in to see how I was doing with my course and if I needed some help.
What makes the retail industry interesting to you?
My mum is in retail, so I always liked it. My family has a retail shop overseas and during high school, I would help them out. Working with people and fashion really helped me develop my sales skills; I just enjoyed every minute of it. I have a lot of experience and knowledge in the industry too.
What type of skills and experience do you need for retail?
- Communication skills
- Listening skills
- Customer service
- Product knowledge
Having experience in retail is really important. If you have experience, you probably have these skills.
Any short-term or long-term goals you’d like to achieve in the future?
To start working in fashion retail as a saleswoman then eventually work as a manager. I’m sure that the knowledge I’ve gained from this course, work experience and skillset are enough to support my development in the retail industry and help advance my career.
Level up your career in retail with Upskilled
If you're like Vanja and find the retail industry an exciting one to work in, you may want to consider further developing your skillset by studying the SIR40316 - Certificate IV in Retail Management with Upskilled.
This course will give you the opportunity to learn relevant skills and knowledge for manegerial and supervisory roles, which can help you advance you career and eventually secure a retail management position. If you're interested in studying this course, get in touch with one of Upskilled's education consultants and make a course enquiry today.