text: what is the best way to get management experience without working in retail? i have 6 years of admin experience in real estate and i'm looking to get out of field. i'm planning on going back to school for my bs in business management and want to get some experience in mgmt.  can you get this experience without working in retail? yes.  you can get management experience working in any field.  think about it - whatever job you have, you have a manager, right?  how do you think that person got the job?  by first having your job and being promoted.  so, get a regular old job, preferably at a business that's growing fast, and work hard at it.  don't goof off like the other employees.  act responsible and help the more junior/newer employees when they don't know how to do something.  this will mark you apart from your co-workers as someone who can handle the responsibilities of management, and you'll probably soon be trained into an assistant manager position, and from there, you'll be gaining management experience.