6 months today (2nd), a few minutes past 8:30 I walked into the reception festooned in a grass carpet and beautiful dark undertones of paint.
This would be my first employer within the corporate scene.
It was a gloomy Monday morning filled with a sea of emotions.
Gratitude mostly because getting this far at some point had seemed impossible. The interview process was grueling to say the least. Lots of blood, sweat and tears went into it. Second guessing too when I was no longer certain my panelists thought I was as good as I was trying to sell.
Fear and excitement too were in the mix. Here I was, going into an industry I had never imagined in my wildest dreams.
Life will sure surprise you.
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Despite being dressed to the nines, I was scared because I was a few minutes late. A pleasant young lady asked me to take the lounge seat. To my surprise even added that I should feel at home. I bet she could smell my fear despite a shielding glass being between us.
Soon after, two other young ins joined the party. Dripping wet from the rain.
Corporate men and women sauntered by giving us acknowledging looks and keeping on their chatter of how good their weekends must have been.
Looking back, it still feels like yesterday. I still feel like a newbie. Many in the corridors still look at me like; You work here? Do I know you?
When I started writing this, I was hoping to share on a few things that I have learnt this far. This reflective exercise, however, makes it seem like there is little to tell.
Let us give a try, shall we?
Amid the everyday check lists and mundane tasks, constantly think of what you want out the whole experience. (the bigger picture) From your current role to opportunities sprucing up around you. How do you see yourself evolving forward? More importantly, if there is more you want out of it, and somebody has the capacity to make it happen, ask it out. The much they can say is no.
Value addition. It has been repeated over and over. My take: value is seen first from how you handle the little things before they trust you with the sensitive parts of the business. As such, do your best in the little things and slowly build the capacity to be an individual of value. The thought that you will walk into a room today and start moving mountains is just a big fallacy. Take it a step at a time, and slowly progress will be seen.
Sometimes everything you thought you were and knew will be challenged. You will want to burst to tears in the middle of a preparing for that important meeting. Comments that meant no harm will start to get to you. Do not beat yourself about it. It is part of the process of learning and before long you will be reciting the scripts like everyone else in the room.
Enjoy the process. Work is a cycle of ups and downs. Some days you laugh. Some days you cannot afford to look at your colleagues straight in the eye.
Lastly, do your best. In whatever capacity that is.
A lady I admire, from an internship I held, pushed for kindness at work. Her words being, “you will always find the smartest and brightest in the corridors of work. Kind however is rare. Be that.”
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I struggled before sharing this due to an understanding of the current trying times, a shifting work arena and many running into job losses.
If you are lucky to be with an employer who’s still sticking with you through this season, it is not to be taken for granted.
Be grateful.
If not, hang in there. It is not the easiest thing to do but this storm too shall weather.
Till next time!
