If you’re up to date on the latest trends in clothing, furniture, or other hot merchandise, you may be interested in entry-level jobs in retail. When most people think of jobs in retail, they think of manning cash registers or folding t-shirts, but there are actually many other types of retail jobs that offer upward mobility. In fact, some major corporations, such as Apple, offer training programs that start you with a lower-level job but that quickly help you to gain valuable skills that could qualify you for more prestigious positions. With Apple’s 24-month program, for example, qualified candidates are put to work at an Apple retail store, where they will try out various positions, take training classes, work with teams of other qualified individuals, and work directly with a knowledgeable mentor and supervisor known as a market leader. Those who successfully complete the program walk away with unique skills and the ability to apply for leadership positions at any of Apple’s many stores. Of course, not everyone can work for Apple, but there are plenty of other retail entry-level jobs that can be equally beneficial to you. Just be sure that you purposefully choose jobs that aren’t dead-end. Ask the hiring manager or supervisor what opportunities the position will offer you for personal and professional growth and advancement. You’d be surprised at just how many companies want to grow top employees from inside the organization. The pay for retail jobs and the exact job responsibilities will vary from one employer to the next, but your focus should be to find a job that will set the foundation for your future.