The excitement of starting a new job
For me, the whole UMC programme was fast and exciting! Within 6 months, I had to learn basic retail skills like cashiering duties and also become an effective leader for others. These skills eventually opened up more doors of opportunity. In just 1 year, I went from an assistant store manager to a store manager. This exposure also equipped me with the skills and experience to take on other roles.
I explored different working environments
While I enjoyed my time as a store manager, I was ready to try something new after 3 years. And one thing I love about UNIQLO is that there are plenty of job opportunities within the company itself. There was no need for me to start afresh somewhere else. So in 2016, I became an e-commerce manager to support the digital side of UNIQLO. And in 2018, I switched to become a store auditor, where I was in charge of operational checks across Southeast Asia.
In each of these roles, I was able to experience a totally different working environment and style. All of which kept my career at UNIQLO interesting, even after 10 years.
Now I’m starting my new role as a corporate planning manager
While I am not intending to change my current role anytime soon, I am excited to see what the future holds for me. Hopefully, all the knowledge I’ve gained working in these various departments can help me become a better business leader in the future.
Venturing into a different work environment
I first heard about the UMC programme while studying in university. I was majoring in applied mathematics then, but I knew I wanted a career that took me outside the confines of a typical office environment. The process of learning about a business on the shop floor before moving into higher management positions stood out to me and drew me to apply for the programme.
Gaining on-ground experience
During my time in the store, I gained a better perspective of what improvements could be made on the ground. I built strong relationships with UNIQLO’s headquarters by giving feedback on marketing and merchandising. The CEO of UNIQLO Singapore would even stop by our store, giving me the opportunity to ask questions and share my dreams of working overseas directly with him.
Reaching my goals
With a clear promotion criteria in the UMC programme, I was able to work towards my goals and in 2017, I was presented with the chance to work overseas! I moved to Australia and soon achieved one of the proudest moments in my career – opening the first UNIQLO store in Western Australia.
The sky’s the limit
After 2 and a half years, I returned back to Singapore with new ways of working and mentorship skills that I could share with my team. I am even more motivated to dream bigger and am looking forward to more adventures in my career ahead in UNIQLO.
Starting with zero experience
I first came across the UMC programme at a career fair at my university. At that time, I was studying physics so I wasn’t looking for a career path in retail. However, this all changed when I spotted the UNIQLO booth. I was a big fan of UNIQLO. It made up most of my wardrobe! So even though the UMC programme was not at all related to my course, it was still something I wanted to try.
The interviews felt like a two-way learning exchange
During the second round of interviews, all UMC applicants had to undergo a one-day in-store training session. We learnt how to greet the customers and perform other basic skills like folding clothes. You could say that they were evaluating our performance. But at the same time, this was also our chance to evaluate UNIQLO. Through this experience, we were able to see if this was something that we wanted to pursue in the long run.
Practice makes better
When I first started the UMC programme, the learning curve was steep. There were many HQ training sessions on topics like sales and profit and customer satisfaction. Things were even harder because I came from a physics background. That said, tough times don’t last. Tough people do. Once I got the hang of it, the programme gradually became more fun.
Plus, there was always support from my managers. They would check up on me at least once a week to help me with any issues that I couldn’t solve. And over time, I was able to create a working environment that was not only fulfilling for me but also for my staff members.
My advice to other UMC applicants
Be mentally prepared. The start of the UMC programme is as tough as it is fun. You will have to learn a lot of new skills in a short amount of time. But don’t be afraid to make mistakes! A big part of UNIQLO’s learning process is going through repeated trial and error. Use these failures to improve yourself and always take initiative because at the end of this programme, you will be managing a UNIQLO store on your own.
How I ended up in UNIQLO with an engineering degree
Unlike most people in the UMC programme, I didn't come from a business management background. I graduated with an engineering degree and soon found out that it was not my passion. I couldn’t see myself sitting in the office and working all day long. I wanted a job that allowed me to be more hands-on. That’s what led me to the UMC programme. Not only is it one of the few programmes that encourage graduates to work on the shop floor, it also accepts graduates of all degrees.
But before I made the decision to switch my career path, I wanted to experience what it was like to work in retail. That’s why I joined UNIQLO as a part-timer in 2021. To my surprise, I really enjoyed those 4 months. I found myself happy to go to work every day. And with this assurance, I applied for the UMC programme.
UNIQLO became a way for me to give back to communities
Contributing to the community has always been something that was important to me. That’s why, I was very excited to be given the opportunity to become the store manager at UNIQLO Parkway Parade. This outlet has one special thing – an entire corner dedicated to the neighbourhood’s heritage and culture. It features small businesses and their products, giving them a chance to connect with a larger audience. I find this really cool because it shows that UNIQLO cares more than just their own business and it is something that I would like to play a bigger role in. Aside from this, I am also exploring other ways to support communities through UNIQLO.
My dream is to bring LifeWear to the rest of the world
My ultimate goal here is to open up more UNIQLO stores in developing countries like Africa. I believe that high-quality clothes at affordable prices can improve lives in many places, other than Singapore. That is the power of clothing to me. And while some might see this as a pipe dream, I do believe it is possible with UNIQLO being a strong global brand.
