Inclusive hiring practices and mentorship are two key elements that are integral to ensuring equitable employership and job pathways in the retail industry. Benny Paulino is a Senior District Manager for Old Navy’s Manhattan District whose story exemplifies what that looks like at Old Navy today.
As a young adult, Benny joined the workforce immediately after receiving his GED. Though he didn’t have any retail experience, he started with Gap Inc. in 1998 as a part-time seasonal sales associate at Gap for the holidays while also working at a warehouse. After the holiday season was over, Benny was asked to continue with the company, which wasn’t a surprise – he knew that his skillset and experience at the warehouse was transferrable. “I was good at problem solving and organization. I was a fast learner at new technology. I had operational skills, data management, inventory, scheduling, and billing,” says Benny.
According to the AdCouncil’s and Opportunity@Work’s campaign called Tear the Paper Ceiling, Benny is a STAR – he’s Skilled Through Alternative Routes other than a bachelor’s degree. And STARs are often confronted with what Opportunity@Work calls the paper ceiling – the invisible barrier for workers without a bachelor’s degree.
In two years time, Benny left his warehouse position and joined Gap Inc. full time. And by 2003, Benny was the General Manager of his local store. The next step would be District Manager, but back then, most retail companies required District Managers to have a bachelor’s degree, including Gap Inc. Despite this roadblock, Benny was promoted to District Manager in 2007.
Benny also credits his success to his mentors. “Where I've been most successful as I've grown my career has been because I've had a mentor to encourage me and keep me on the right track. I feel like I have a responsibility to continue to pay it forward.”
Stories like Benny’s helped to shape Old Navy’s This Way ONward program - Old Navy’s program to unlock career potential for youth and create a more equitable future within the workforce. This Way ONward aims to boost confidence in young people looking for an opportunity to shine, with a focus on serving Black and Latinx communities. Through one-on-one mentorship, coaching, and on-the-job skill building, This Way ONward provides a career rocket to a more secure future and since 2007 has benefited more than 15,000 young STARs.
In 2021, Gap Inc., including Old Navy formally removed education requirements for 99% of advertised jobs. And we are on our way to delivering on our commitment to hire 5 percent of entry-level brand associates through This Way ONward by 2025.
We’re excited about our partnership with Opportunity@Work as they lead the coalition alongside the AdCouncil to lift up STARs in the workforce. To read even more about Benny’s journey and the stories of other STARs, head to https://www.tearthepaperceiling.org/stories/benny-paulino.
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