New Waters - 1 Week into my Grad Job

I'm writing this blog as the first week of my graduate job comes to a close. This is the first time (in a long time) where education wasn't the next step in the 'plan', and consequently a lot of change (and uncertainty to some extent) can be felt. Pretty much for 2 decades as you grow up, your life is characterised and organised by term dates, school holidays, exams, homework and clubs. So as I got ready a week ago on Sunday evening for my first day in the office, it also signalled the start of a new chapter in life.

I write this blog as I thought it would be interesting to do some 'open journaling' - where I share with you all my thoughts and ideas at the beginning of my career. It also gives me something to look back on in a month, year or 10 years time and compare how it was then vs now. I'll try to pick out some key points that stood out from this week and share those. Perhaps my fellow recent graduates who are now working, or anyone for that matter can resonate with the below points - do get in touch if you do! Alternatively, if you had a completely different experience to me that would also be awesome to hear about.

First impressions count 👀

My first week was full of meeting new people from different teams, of all backgrounds and level of experience. As with any first encounter, I found that first impressions are really important when starting your first job. It's unlikely that you'll spend a lot of time with every person you met in your first week, and some colleagues you may only ever speak to once - hence they'll leave that conversation with an opinion of you - it would be nice if that opinion was a positive one right! This extends beyond the workplace to everyday life, where you want to leave a lasting positive impression on someone. You never know when you might need to work with an individual or ask them for something down the line, so start forming those positive relationships and build your network.

Don't pretend to know everything 🎓

Sometimes we may find it hard to adopt a 'beginner mindset' again, especially after 4 years of hard work at university, becoming an expert in our degree and leaving with a bachelors or masters qualification. However, there's no need to pretend to be an expert in anything when you start work - no one expects you to know what you're doing! Being willing and open to learn is far more important that showing off your knowledge in the early stages. I found there is so much to take in and absorb in my first week, so those soft transferrable skills will get used more than your degree. I myself was entering the energy industry, a field which I was relatively new to, and so becoming a sponge for information was a good way to approach it.

It's about the people 🫂

As mentioned above, I found the workplace was made enjoyable not by the lovely offices, the coffee machine or the curved monitor screens, but by the people! It made starting a graduate role for me enjoyable, and eased any nerves or tension I had going into it knowing that you're surrounded by good company. It may be the case that you'll work with these people for years to come, so I really enjoyed meeting everyone in the office and getting to know them. Whether that's over lunch, on a walk or just as you walk by them, the people is what make's a place great to work at.

It will be overwhelming at first 🧠

At the end of my first day, I felt like I left with more questions than I had answers. Lots of onboarding, emails flying into my inbox, new systems to learn and training to do - it felt like the 'to-do' list was ever-growing. But that's ok, and now looking back on the week it's perfectly fine to feel that way. Remember, you've just entered an environment that you have little knowledge about, so why add this extra pressure to yourself to try and understand everything first time? Remember to ask questions (there's no such thing as a silly question), and trust that with time things will start to settle and make more sense.

Hobbies require more effort 😴

Looking at the impact starting my grad job has had on my personal life, it definitely does feel like a shift from my lifestyle that I had during school and university. In hindsight, there were times where I probably took for granted all the after school clubs, university societies and opportunities that were on my doorstep whilst in education - it was as simple as turning up and you'd have these cool hobbies to involve yourself in. When working, I get the feeling that hobbies you do have require that extra effort and care to maintain - it's not as easy as going to an after school club. Balancing hobbies with a full time job is something that will come with time, but it's also something I defo want to make sure I do - hoping that if I set out good habits now then I can still have things outside of work going on for me. It may require that extra discipline or willpower, but I think it's important to have. Even relatively simple things like going to the gym or for a run, I find myself having to more 'actively' schedule them in now, otherwise they simply wouldn't happen and the evening would be over before I know it.

That being said, it isn't all doom and gloom with the demise of hobby time. One great thing is that I have my weekends back (no more homework or coursework assignments to do!), and having a graduate salary gives you the option to do other things.

That's a wrap for week 1 of working life! I would love to hear from you if you do end up reading this blog on how you found the shift to working, and if there is any advice or thoughts you have about that transition.

PS: If you enjoyed this, why not consider subscribing for free here? (Just remember to click the verification link in your emails to confirm, and mark the email as not spam!)