Whether you’re a recent grad or an established professional, transitioning to a new job, work environment and culture can be daunting.

Even for the most confident of us! After all, the employer hired you for your potential, transferable skills, and course work with the expectation you’ll have a positive impact on their organization. And you will. Eventually. In the first days, weeks, and months, your job is to listen, learn, ask questions, take notes, build relationships and be open to new experiences.

I have been in this position multiple times in my career and I find myself there now. I am in the early stages of working at DeSales University in the Career Development Center. I do, however, have a slight advantage. I volunteered with the Center in 2020 and 2021. I was able to start my position understanding the cultural dynamics of the office and had established a rapport with my immediate coworkers. I am actively seeking to strengthen these direct relationships while beginning to build relationships with peers, student leaders, and supervisors alike. I also transitioned to a new industry. I am learning the nuances of higher education and new technical skills to be successful in my position.

During this learning phase, I need to remind myself that I, not only have to give myself grace in a new position, environment, and culture, but I need to stay grounded in what has made me successful in prior positions. I can recall starting a new job where everyone used “Reminders” on their phone to keep track of their to do list. I thought if everyone did it that way I should too. It did not work for me. I found myself getting overwhelmed with the dings on my phone and struggling to visualize the most important tasks. So, I went back to my checklist on a legal pad. I have continued to do that ever since. I learned that I need to find a balance between trying new ideas and staying true to my foundations of success. 

One foundation of success I can’t emphasize enough is establishing a productive relationship with your supervisor right away. You can accomplish this by having regular 1 on 1s (if they don’t have a rhythm for this, ask for it!). During these meetings you should be asking questions, bringing solutions to problems, clarify expectations, ask for introductions to build relationships, and ensure you’re both on the same page with your priorities.

Despite the daunting thoughts of new a new role and company, it is also very exciting! You’ll want to show off your skills, prove you were the right hire and succeed right away. But newbie, be mindful not to take on too much too soon. Set personal and professional boundaries. And always remember, during the first days, weeks, and months, your job is to listen, learn, ask questions, take notes, build relationships and be open to new experiences. Congratulations on your new journey – now go off and start on the right foot!