Forty Under 40: Teresa Barrera

Theresa Barrera, 38, got her start with the worlds largest company in 1985 as a part-time cashier in a Sams Club store in Corpus Christi, Texas.

She kept that job while also working on her bachelors degree in business at Corpus Christi State University.

Barrera graduated in 1989 with a major in finance and moved to Bentonville in 1990 to work as an internal auditor at Wal-Marts home office. Three years later, she transferred to the International Division, where she worked for two years as an assistant buyer.

In 1995, Barrera became a buyer for the housewares department in the Wal-Mart Stores Division. She was promoted in 1999 to divisional merchandising manager over seasonal items.

In May 2001, Barrera became a vice president at Wal-Mart. In April 2003, she was promoted to her current position of divisional merchandising manager over the stationery department for the more than 2,870 Wal-Mart Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets and discount stores in the United States.

Barrera has some advice for young people who are considering a career with Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

Dont let anybody tell you no if you feel in your heart you can do it, she said. If you feel you can do it, have the fire in your belly and go after it.