I've worked at Target for 23 years. What started as a college job has transformed into a career.

Justin Howells, Target's group vice president for Pacific Northwest stores.

Matt Hage/AP Content Services for Target

• Target is getting a new CEO in the New Year — one who started with the company as an intern.
• Justin Howells is a regional vice president who also started at the bottom of the ladder.
• At a time when companies focus less on loyalty, Howells says it's important to give people space to learn.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Justin Howells...