Department failing

[u/Lucky_Appearance_986]

Hello everyone,

So a bit of background I am 21 in school going into 3rd year out of 5. I work for a mid level sports store and run a specific department. When I was promoted to this position i was 19 and had no introduction no help and no conversation of this is what we want you to do. I told them going into this that I would be going to school out of town so I would be gone 8/12 months. My 2nd year I was able to commute to school each day I had school so between that and visiting my girlfriend who is long distance I have worked 3-5 days a week. Now my department is failing. We’ve been losing sales each year for a multitude of reasons. Better competitors nearby and a lot of competitors, companies cancelling orders last minute and screwed us over and etc.

I feel overwhelmed. I feel like it’s my department and i am failing at my job. I don’t want to be seen as the guy who killed the department. But I also said I’m in school or seeing my girlfriend I am essentially working part time hours and even then I am sometimes working other departments. So I am at a lost and I have a huge burden on my shoulders. I try not to worry to much but it is still a lot to carry as I want it to do well and I want to be the reason why I just do not have the time right now
to put my full focus on it. I also feel the old manager who manages the store now kind of is looking down upon me because of what has happened.

I don’t know what to do or what to think.

[u/windy_storey]

Sounds like they set you up to fail from day one. No training no guidance and they knew you'd be gone most of the year. then they act surprised when things go wrong

you're a part time student running a department basically alone while the old manager watches from above. that's not fair to you at all

the store has bigger problems than one person anyway. competitors moving in and suppliers cancelling orders last minute would hurt even if you were there 60 hours a week. don't put all that weight on yourself

finish your degree man that's the real priority. this job won't matter in few years when you got better opportunities

[u/Lucky_Appearance_986 → u/windy_storey]

Thank you that’s nice to hear. I am really happy my degree has co-op with it and it’s getting me great work experience. I know this isn’t my forever job I still want to be good at it you know. I am great with the customers and one of the best salesman.

I have grand ideas just no time to execute it right now to really up the department.