Lessons Learned in the Workforce

My first year out of college was a big transition. I didn’t expect it, since I had been part of the workforce before, as a waitress, a sales associate at Nordstrom, and that typical high school summer spent as a lifeguard. Never the less, my first “big person job” threw many challenges my way. It was tough. I’d like to think I overcame those challenges.

I’ve been told it’s all a process. And in that process I think I’ve learned a thing or two. By no means do I think I have it all figured out. But here are ten things I have learned thus far in joining the professional world.

1) Surprise! The people you work with aren’t so different from the kids you went to school with. (Makes sense… after all they grow up, just like you) This means there are going to be people of all kinds that you work with. Some will be lazy, some will be drama filled, but some will also be the most caring and loving people.

2) The basics go a long way. Showing up for work on time, being professionally dressed and groomed, and having a good attitude are huge. Not everyone does it. It seems menial, but if you can do those things, your boss will respect you and your co-workers will want to have you around.

3) Make your work be something you love. I know it sounds cheesy, but you will not enjoy your work if you don’t love it. And if you don’t enjoy what you are doing you are probably not going to give it your best effort. Have passion for what you do.

4) Though I want you to have passion, don’t let your job be your life. It’s really unhealthy. Your work should not define you. You need balance in your life. Even if you love what you do, if it’s all that you do your happiness will decline. FAST.

5) Find mentors. Especially at my age, it’s important to find people in your office who are willing to spend extra time with you giving you feedback and advice. So they say, “monkey see, monkey do.” Find the people you admire, observe them, and then do what they do.

6) When receiving feedback, take yourself out of the equation. If you take pride in your work (which I hope you do), it’s easy to get defensive about what you have produced. However, if someone gives you criticism, remember it’s not you they are criticizing.

7) Never compromise you and your values. Particularly in my industry, people are going to tell you how to sound, what to wear, and what you should look like. Hearing different opinions is important, but if people start stripping you of who you are, stop immediately.

8) Challenge yourself. Some of the best advice I have received was to never be comfortable at work. I was told when you are comfortable you stop learning. It’s when you push yourself out of your comfort zone when you will find the rewards.

9) Set goals. Make a list of things you want to achieve in your career, then come up with a plan of how and when you are going to make those things happen.

10) Treat everyone on your team equally. Remember every job is important in a business. No job is better than another, from the cleaning crew to the top managers. We are an ecosystem, meaning everyone is vital to make the product.