Hi all, long time no talk! It’s been quite a while.
I am happy to report that I began the next step in my career. If you remember, I was working in Student Affairs Communications (focusing mostly on undergraduate admissions) as a general communications specialist from Feb. 2012 to Nov. 2014. I cannot tell you what a great foundation that position laid for me. I learned a range of hard and soft skills, cultivated a supportive network of friends and mentors, and realized my passion for effective communications. Before I left, my coworkers left me with a pretty solid list of tips for starting a new role. I’d like to share a few with you:
- Fake it til you make it!
- Be proactive. If you hear co-workers talking about an area you have expertise in, offer assistance.
- Find a comfortable chair.
- Ask questions. None are inappropriate.
- Always look like you are working.
- Don’t forget your old colleagues.
- Take lunches and breaks.
- Be social–make lots of friends!
- Milk being new as long as possible.
- Be okay with being uncomfortable
- Listen, observe, take notes.
- Don’t bring in smelly food. And respect the fridge.
- Don’t take drowsy allergy medicine–read the label!
- Refer to past contacts–don’t forget old resources.
- Don’t sweat the small stuff.
- Try to listen and absorb as much as you can in the early days, but don’t be afraid to speak up and prove your value to the team.
- Be open to the discovery and start the beginnings of your legacy.
On November 17, 2014, I began working as the Web and Graphics Manager for the Real Estate Division and University Health Services, Tang Center at UC Berkeley. I am really fortunate to continue working at the number one public university in the world! Although it’s only been one month, these two part-time appointments have opened my eyes to two very different industries. The Real Estate Division covers everything: Facilities Services, Asset Management, Construction and Design, the Global Campus at Richmond Bay, Parking and Transportation Services, Mail Services, Space and Capital Resources, Physical and Environmental Planning, Environmental Health and Safety, Construction Inspection Services, and Sustainability and Energy. Whew! That’s a mouthful, isn’t it? Meanwhile… University Health Services covers everything from medical to counseling/psychological services, health promotion, and general wellness for undergrad/grad students, staff/faculty, and community members. Both units operate on huge budgets and impact the campus on a variety of levels.
It has been such a rich, sweet, and overwhelming experience to play a role in communicating these high touch efforts. Not to mention challenging. I’ve learned quickly that my experience in Student Affairs makes me qualified for my job. But the skills that I learned are not directly transferrable. There is much to learn about both units before reaching excellence and greatness in my work and contributions to these teams. Even though I was only in my past role for a little over 2.5 years, I felt so comfortable, safe, and in the know. All of those feelings did not come with me into my new role …I’ve had to employ patience in more ways than one. That’s why I love the quote in the image: “Allow yourself to be a beginner. No one starts off being excellent.”
These are my learnings so far:
- Keep a good system for managing tasks.
- If possible, establish a weekly 30 minute check-in time with your supervisor to ask non-urgent questions about projects and the organization as a whole.
- Early on, figure out how your supervisor prefers to be communicated with (email, phone, sticky notes?). And gauge how much they want to be involved in your work. Do they want you to be completely self-sufficient? Do they prefer to be “kept in the loop” with everything?
- In your second job out of college, you know more about your working style and preferences. Use the first 90 days to set those boundaries and set yourself up for success. Don’t feel pressured to race to the finish line. Rather, establish foundations with your colleagues so they know how to help you perform best and vice versa. Team work makes the dream work.
Til next time! The sooner the better.
APV.