Why?

When I was younger and I imagined going to college, I had a pretty clear picture in my head of what it would be like: new friends, random afternoon naps, a sporadic class schedule, and constantly being surrounded by knowledge. I thought about the mountains of books I would pore over, the thousands of pages of notes I would take, the long hours into the early mornings spent making every last word of my essays perfect. Looking back on my experiences I realized that there was something much more important that I learned; something that will always be with me and always serve me well. Not only did I fill my head with every last bit of information about the Expectancy Violations Theory, I also learned to never, ever stop seeking knowledge. I learned to always ask: Why?

The biggest mistake of an assumption that I made about college was then when you’re done, you know everything you need to know to be successful. That pretty piece of paper that is mailed to you a few weeks after moving back into your parents’ basement was proof that you were qualified to get a career and start your life.

I’ve been out of college for over a year and I think I’ve learned more since leaving than I ever did while inside its concrete walls. Don’t misinterpret; I will never regret how much I acquired and wouldn’t change my days or newly gained knowledge for the world. I think, though, that it’s easy to forget about life after.

I’ve started to not just accept the world around me, but to question it.

When I was told that living on my own in Milwaukee was a bad idea, I asked why. I was given answers about it being dangerous. In response, I looked up crime rates and statistics, which enabled me to make a conscious decision of where to live and how to stay safe.

When I was told to save all my money in my bank account for when I needed it, I asked why. I heard that keeping that money there was a security blanket. While keeping some safe in case of emergencies, I also learned about investing and have joined the money market.

When I was told that I shouldn’t apply for jobs that I wasn’t 100% sure that I would get, I asked why. I was told that I was never going to be hired. I decided that that was up for the employer to decide and have gained a job that I love going to every day.

I think one of the biggest mistakes that I feel people make is to feel content. Being content with the way things are now means that one no longer questions, challenges, or seeks. Nowadays, we have an indescribable amount of knowledge at our fingertips. I think it would be the worst shame to waste it. Always ask why because when you don't you accept the way things are. This is when we stop pursuing. This is when we stop moving forward. This is when we become stagnant. 

Onwards and upwards!
Christine

5 Rules

Out of school for a little over a year, my learning certainly hasn’t stopped. Throughout my daily experiences in an office setting I’ve developed 5 rules that continue to help me stay sane, productive, and professional.

1.     Don’t promote stereotypes.

As a new addition to the work force, it is wise to be aware of the negative stereotypes associated with being a Millennial. However unfair or wrong it may be, it is human nature to compare and judge other people and I can guarantee you that you will also fall victim. Being young is associated with foolishness, mistakes, immaturity, and inattention. But, by knowing these assumptions, it is easier to proactively avoid them. For example, I have heard numerous people older than myself talk about how youth seem to be constantly glued to screens (computers, cell phones, tablets, etc.). One could counter this complaint by explaining how prevalent technology is becoming in our everyday lives and that knowledge spreads like wildfire through these means but most of the time you can’t even tell when someone is thinking that about you. Instead, I try to always shake a person’s hand and look them in the eye. I turn my phone on silent when I know I’m going to be conversing or spending time with someone. While in waiting rooms, I tend to get lost in my thoughts instead of my newsfeed. These are small changes that make big impressions.

2.     Be kind.

Burning bridges early in your career could lead to ripples of bad outcomes later in life. Unless time travel was finally invented by the time you read this, it is impossible to know what action or words may come back to haunt you. More importantly, networking is an essential skill that could lead to previously unheard of opportunities that you may miss out on. In every professional setting, the best idea is to act like you’re meeting your significant other’s parents for the first time. Be polite and on your best behavior. I doubt being kind has ever cost someone his or her job.

3.     Always take the high road.

This goes along very well with the “Be Kind” rule but I thought it was important to separate, mostly because it’s something I’ve run into and I did not come out on the favorable side. People can be very difficult to work with but that never means that doing things such as spreading rumors, talking back, or complaining about coworkers is ever an appropriate response. If a problem does arise, talk to a superior and do not try to handle it yourself.

4.     Remember that they are paying you.

The next time you find yourself with an urge to log on to Facebook at work, instead think about how much company time and money that would be wasting. Even if it’s just five minutes a day, that time adds up! If you spent 5 minutes on Facebook everyday at work, that would average out to about 22 hours a year. Your company thinks that your time is valuable; don’t forget to show them the same respect.

5.     Always ask questions.

No matter how long you’ve been on the job or what you think you’re supposed to know, always ask questions if you have them! When beginning a new position you may find out that tasks are done a very specific way. How are you supposed to know unless you ask? Unless you lied on your resume and aren't trained as you've portrayed, asking too many questions is never a bad thing. In multiple jobs, people have assumed that another coworker had taught me a certain task, or they didn’t know there was a different way to do it, or just forgot to tell me, or sometimes were testing me to see if I would ask for help when I didn’t know how to do something. It’s much better to be a little embarrassed asking for clarification than to do an entire assignment wrong.

Of course there are many more things to know while on the job but these are a great way to make a good impression and kick start your career. Define your professional self in the best possible way to ensure close connections, a great work ethic, and an ever-evolving professional course.

Love and coffee,
Christine