The Truth about your First Entry Level Job: 10 Insights from 10 months in the Workforce (Part 1)
I could never figure out the perfect time to write this article. My experiences at and thoughts about my first entry level job have changed so much over the past 10 months that I have been there. Conveniently, here are 10 insights I have gained from 10 months of full-time work experience post-graduation. Here are the first 5, stay tuned for part 2!
Month 1: Find comfort in discomfort
If you're anything like me, you've been preparing for this job for at least a couple years. You've taken courses, held internship positions, volunteered, etc. and you should be proud of that! Unfortunately, your first real job will likely make you feel more incompetent than ever at times. My first month on the job, I felt utterly clueless. I had to ask for everything when I was used to asking for nothing. My ignorance was endless. Even things I had done before in school didn't function the same way at my job and there was a much higher expectation of me than I was used to. My first lesson was that I had to be okay with that. Everyone told me I would have to learn to be okay with asking questions. What they didn't tell me is that I would have to be accepting of another phenomenon which accompanies inexperience: failure. I think I mess up at my job daily (not exaggerating!) and initially that was very hard. In college, I was coming from being at the top; I was surrounded by people telling me I was oh so capable, smart, talented, etc. Suddenly, you'll be forced in an environment where everything you do will challenge that. But this is all expected and if your supervisors and colleagues are anything like mine, they'll be more than happy to help. It's an entry level position for a reason- learn to own it!
Month 2: This is not a stepping stone
I always knew that graduate school was in my future. I've noted before that entering the workforce was my absolute plan Z (I wanted to go straight into school, a post-bacc program, travel South America...anything that was not working). Admittedly, when I entered my job, I was already obsessing over graduate applications. I viewed my job in terms of "what can this do for me?" rather than, "why am I here?" and "what can I contribute?". This meant that I lacked accountability- the drive to work for more than the possibility of someday leaving. Your first job likely will not be your last. However, it's not just a time-filler for getting to your desired position. This job will determine your career trajectory by expanding your network, growing your skillset, and exposing you to different opportunities. Month 2's biggest lesson was learning that your purpose is in the "here and now", not the "someday later on". It's your job to seize this opportunity, to make the most of it, and to give it your all. There's many lessons to learn here, take advantage of all of them.
Month 3: We all have to start somewhere
Your job description will not be as glamorous as it sounded in the job description 100% of the time. I had been in research for a few years before taking this job and still had a skewed perception of what being a scientist looked like. It was easy to envision the amazing impact I could have on the lives of others through working at this company. I had read articles about their groundbreaking research and thought "man, I'm going to be a part of that". While I am still a part of this research...it's not necessarily always in the way I thought. I've spent many days in the office scheduling meetings, licking incentive envelopes, and packaging boxes full of surveys. I've ordered catering for trainings, counted thousands of ID cards, and color-coded spreadsheets...none of things I was expecting to do. Month 3 taught me that no one starts at the top, and that's a good thing. It's not a slap at your competence, it's preparing you. One of the things I admire about my boss is that she can identify with every task I'm handed- she's been there, done that. And one day, we'll be able to tell some big-headed 22 year old that we all have to start somewhere.
Month 4: This is an adjustment: The "Hustle" isn't as aesthetic as it seems.
By month 4 on the job, I had was studying for the GRE and applying to graduate schools. I felt overwhelmed, like I was drowning. I would get up run and work for 8+ hours a day, spend 30 minutes on the elliptical while going over vocabulary, drive home and cook dinner, and study another 2.5 hours. This was really hard for me because I wanted to give 100% in every facet of my life (work, friendships, volunteering, reading/writing, applications, etc.) but I couldn't. I was frustrated with myself and didn't know what to make of it. Month 3 hit me hard with the lessons of adulting. The expectations I had set myself were physically unacheivable and that standard broke me. It got so bad that I would wake up from a night of watching TV and feel horrible because I hadn't used that time to do something more productive. Your first job will test you in many ways. You'll feel pressured to say yes to every task in hopes that you'll create a reputable name for yourself. You'll want to keep up an image on social media that you're thriving when you're not. Going from having a few classes a day to taking orders for 8 hours straight is difficult and a lot of times this is accompanied with a lot of other firsts such as moving to a new city, paying student loans and other bills, and creating an identity separate from being a student. Give yourself a break. The hustle/boss/grind mentality is great but only when coupled with the realization that rest, patience, and acceptance of your limits are equally as important contributors to success.
Month 5: The Grass is not Greener on the other side.
Whooo, this was probably the hardest lesson to learn and took many months. In college, we're all on a similar timeline. Most of us take 3-5 years to complete it, all taking similar courses, getting internships in the summers, and participating in extra-curriculars during the year. Still, being relatively same playing field as all my peers didn't stop me from comparing myself to them. After graduation, everyone goes their separate ways and while I thought that would put an end to the comparison- it only exacerbated it. After graduation, you'll have the opportunity to really explore yourself and develop an identity. It can be a confusing time, especially if you find yourself in a position that's different that what you thought post-grad life would be. I worked full-time my senior year in school and I loved having money and few responsibilities. When I graduated, however, I found myself envious that I was working 40+ hours a week while my friends traveled, lounged, and spent their summers in leisure. I was also envious of those who got to move away to big cities and start their graduate studies or new careers. Little did I know, that while I was grumbling about my circumstances, they were too. My friends traveling the summer away were broke and concerned about their lack of job prospects. My friends who moved away were lonely and overwhelmed. The grass isn't greener on the other side and we all end up exactly where we need to be when we need to be there. Don't let comparison rob you of your job, every situation we're put in can be used to flourish.
