Dream

In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s immigrants poured into the US by way of Ellis Island. They came with few possessions but the dream of a better life. They were willing to work long hours for low pay with the goal of providing a better life for their children. That is still possible today. Juan and Marie both 18 arrive in America. They have the dream. They get a full-time job of stocking shelves at Walmart on the night shift for $15 per hour. They each work 20 hours per week at a fast-food restaurant. They attend night school to improve their English two hours a day, five days per week. They are earning $1,800 per week and in four years they have saved $200,000. They lived the life style of the earlier immigrants where all they did was work, learn English, eat and sleep. At age 22 they have enough for a down payment on a small home. Walmart promotes from within and 75% of managers started as hourly employees. Their attitude about work is you never complain about going to work just be glad you’re able to go and when you get there, always do more than your share. These hard-working young people would soon catch the eye of management. They asked to be moved to different departments and express interest in management and soon opportunities come up and they are on their way. Marie as a department manager and Juan enrolls in the Walmart Truck Driver program. Moving up the ladder at Walmart, where roughly 75% of management started as hourly associates, requires high performance, initiative, and building relationships. Key strategies include mastering your current role, seeking opportunities in different departments, finding mentors, expressing interest in promotion to management, and being willing to relocate By age 30 this couple is on their way to achieving the American Dream.