STARKVILLE — For many, the world at night goes unseen. The setting sun usually signifies the end of another day and the beginning of bedtime rituals and preparations for the morning.
But for Brandon Turner, a shift manager at Walmart in Starkville, the “day” is just getting started. Every night, beginning at 7 p.m., it’s Turner’s job to oversee the restocking and straightening of the store for the next day’s business.
How long have you been with the company?
I have been with Walmart for 13 years now.
Where did you get your start?
I got my start in high school at 18 at a store in Fulton. I spent six months as an hourly associate. At 19, I was promoted to assistant manager and spent the next 10 years doing that job at stores in Fulton and Tupelo.
What made you decide to take this job?
It was a promotion for me to come here. I had spent the last 10 years as an assistant manager at other stores, and there were some policy changes that would allow some of us to be promoted. I applied and interviewed here in Starkville, and I actually received the promotion.
Be honest, do you actually like working overnight?
The hours are pretty tough. They really are, especially on things like sleep patterns and eating habits. What gets me by is the enjoyment I get from the associates. And also, each and every day, I always know what my goal is to get everything done and put ‘Humpty Dumpty’ (the store) back together again.
What are your typical hours?
Each shift begins at 7 p.m. and ends at 8 a.m.
How do you get yourself ready for such a long work night?
A lot of energy drinks, and a lot of rest. I’m an energy drink connoisseur.
Night time is notorious for being more mysterious than the daylight hours (at Walmart). Have you experienced any odd people or happenings since you started the overnight shift?
Hmm. I’m not sure how I can answer that without getting myself in trouble. This shift has its challenges. I’ll just leave it at that.
Good answer. Have you ever found anything unusual while (working in) the store?
I’m struggling to find a newspaper-appropriate answer (laughs). Once, we found a box of kittens in the toy department.
What is the most challenging aspect of your job?
Adapting to so many changes. Walmart changes policies and procedures a lot, so I have to adapt and I have to change. Nothing is ever the same.
Do you have any pet peeves?
Yes, associates who give up before they even try. If there’s a lot of work that needs to be done and someone tells me that there’s no way that he’ll be able to do it before they even get started, that really bothers me.
Have you ever had to go above and beyond the call of duty?
There have been several times that our store may have not carried a specific product, so we called around to all of our neighboring stores to locate the item for them. There have even been times where I’ve even gone myself to get the item for the customers so they didn’t have to go out of their way.
What is your favorite part of the job?
Getting to meet different people over the past 13 years and establishing all kinds of relationships.
What has been the most rewarding aspect?
The working education I have received while with the company. I work for a great store manager, and I have been able to increase my talents and learn more here (in Starkville) in the last three years than in the previous 10.
Last but not least, what are your future goals?
I see myself, in the next year, becoming a store manager. I really do. But as far as long-term goals with the company, I want to go as high as I can possibly go. A lot of people choose to go to school and get their degrees, but I took a different path. This is what I chose. This is my career.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 32 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.