It’s been over 4 years since I graduated college and worked my first job. Since then, I’ve experienced working full-time, being part of a company-wide layoff, finding contract work, and landing another full-time job. I’ve learned a lot (and am still learning!) in the past two years that I’ve “officially” transitioned into the world of “adulting”. I thought it would be fun and helpful to list some of the most important things I learned from my first “big girl” job:
1. You’ll feel overwhelmed on the first day.
When you start anything new, job included, feeling anxious and overwhelmed is normal. You may feel like you’re in over your head. And that’s okay. No one expects you to know everything. Try to remind yourself of that the next time the anxiousness sets in.
2. And you’ll have lots of questions.
This is especially true at the beginning. But any good workplace loves it when you ask questions. It means you care about your role and doing your best. It may feel uncomfortable to ask questions, feeling like you don’t know enough, but that’s the truth if you just started a role! Life is all about learning, and work is no exception.
3. You’ll feel like you don’t know anything.
That’s okay and to be expected. You can’t be expected to know everything when you first start. So often, we put these expectations on ourselves to achieve perfection, but perfection is unachievable. Do the best you can and don’t be afraid to acknowledge that you don’t know a lot, and that’s okay!
4. But you’ll learn a lot.
There’s always a learning curve at work, but it doesn’t have to be scary—in fact, it could be fun! I learned so much at my first full-time job that I never thought I would, and if you’re like me, you always like to learn. It’s like being in school again, except you don’t have to pay and they pay you!
5. You’ll realize the importance of a healthy workplace.
Unfortunately, many people have run into toxic workplaces. They’re all too common. But it’s also possible to find a positive, healthy workplace that encourages asking questions, lending a hand, and treating employees like the people they are. This is one of the most important things to find in a job. Even if the work isn’t your favorite or you have hard days, having a good work environment makes all the difference.
6. You’ll question if you deserve this job.
We all know that imposter syndrome hits everyone, but it’s especially true when you’re new to something. And being a fresh graduate doesn’t help. You’ll ask yourself “Did I land this job?” and compare yourself to others. Just know that these feelings are normal and that everyone has them—yes, even the manager who has been working here for 10 years.
7. You wonder if you’ll fit in.
Like imposter syndrome, it’s easier to feel like a fish out of water when you start somewhere new for the first time. You may worry that you won’t fit in with others or make friends. While you can’t guarantee you’ll be besties with your coworkers, you can approach it kind of like dating—you’ll meet lots of people, and some won’t connect with you at all, but you’ll probably find someone who you have something in common with. And even if you’re just acquaintances, that’s one more person that you didn’t know until now!
8. You realize your degree doesn’t matter.
In the end, you don’t have to have the exact degree, or even a very similar one, in the field you work in. My first job was in the technology industry, and I studied creative writing! At the end of the day, your skill set and attitude matter most—and all degrees have transferable skills you can take to any job!
Have you just started a new job? Do you have similar feelings or thoughts? Let us know in the comments below!
Photo by Marek Levak on Pexels
I appreciate yet another great post from you. Living with significance and enjoyment comes from accepting interconnected well-being.
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It sounds like you’ve had quite a journey transitioning from college to the professional world! Your insights are spot on and resonate with many of us navigating the early stages of our careers. It’s reassuring to know that feeling overwhelmed, asking questions, and experiencing imposter syndrome are all part of the process. Your emphasis on the importance of a healthy workplace and the realization that degrees aren’t everything is incredibly valuable. Thanks for sharing your experiences and encouraging others to embrace the learning curve and trust in their abilities. Looking forward to hearing more from others who are going through similar experiences!