First jobs can be daunting. There are expectations you place on yourself and the organization, there are standards to be met, and skills to be learnt. Starting from how to set up meetings on outlook to vlookup on excel (IMO never got the hype). We all go through it and don’t worry we come out stronger and sharper.
Here are a few things I learnt as a Software Engineer at an IT services company. Despite having a significant presence in my home city, the company moved me to a different city, just for kicks, I think; I’m going to cover the pitfalls and learnings of this wonderful journey.
Disclaimer: I only spent 6 months at this job.
1. Don’t take things personally
There will be generalizations. You will be compared to every first-timer (fresher) to have ever joined the company. So your experiences (at least for the first few months) could be based on other peoples’ assumptions of you. So to keep your sanity, don't take things personally. Know that the hand holding, the constant reminders, and rebukes are not just pointed at you, they are pointed at everyone who came before you and for everyone who comes after.
2. You are not supposed to know everything
The sooner you learn that the easier life will be. It is understood and known that there are skills you come with, and skills you will learn on the job. So if you don’t know something, ask, because you are meant to learn from the experience. I say this to all my colleagues, if you knew it already, you wouldn’t be here. So don’t be embarrassed, and don’t pity yourself, take this opportunity to learn, because there will be plenty of next times.
3. Processes are important
Processes have existed long before you entered the workforce. While some of them may seem archaic and time-consuming at first, you’ll soon notice why they work. When several people and resources are involved, processes help organize and document the work done for later use. Their purpose is not in the now, but for the future. So, familiarize yourself with the processes as quickly as possible. They will be useful when you finally muster up the courage to join the startup gig of your dreams.
4. Don’t be the scapegoat
If you start to see a pattern where colleagues constantly ask you to do their dirty work, call it out! You are meant to be learning and growing, but that doesn’t mean you compensate for others’ incompetence. There is a time and place for networking and reigning in favours but also to stand up for yourself. If you don’t establish boundaries, people will take that chance to walk over you.
5. Communication is key
If you make a mistake, own up, ask questions, it's the only way to learn. The only way to improve your ability to communicate is to speak up and often. If you are heard, you know you were right. If you are shot down, you learn to pick a better moment next time around. Either way, this is the time to figure it out.
6. Save Money
This is extremely important, however little you make at your first job. Make it a habit of saving in whatever way possible. Once it is part of your routine, you won't need to think about it. And as your income increases, your little nest egg of money will give you the confidence to take risks. Read up about the 50–30–20 rule. Your future self will thank you for it.
7. Leave work at work
You’ll be frustrated a lot initially, so find a way to leave the weight of the workload at the office. With work from home, learn to leave the mindset at the desk. You need to be able to create a divide between work and after work. Otherwise, you will watch, as your job slowly takes over other parts of your day/life. So make an active commitment to yourself, to leave the stresses of your workday at your desk, and move on to the rest of your day. Be it taking time out in the morning to be mindful, talking to your parents, catching up with a friend every day, working out, playing games, writing, or dancing, anything that reminds you why you go to work every day.
