When it comes to deciding on a career path, there are normally two types of people – those who know what they want to do, where they want to be and have an idea of their dream job, and those who aren’t too sure yet and are open to experiences in different areas of study.
Whether you’re the former or the latter, landing your first full-time job in an industry you’ve been studying in is both exciting and nerve wracking. Whether you’re closing in on the end of your first year at university or are about to finish your degree, here’s what to expect from your first month on the job.
- Your first week will be a total blur: With so much to take in, new people to meet, new tasks to learn and a new routine to settle in to, your first week will not only fly by, you’re likely to forget some of what you’ve learnt, no matter how many notes you’ve made. Prepare to feel a little overwhelmed.
- It might take you a while to settle into a routine: Most of us like a little bit of routine and some sort of schedule to run through your day or your week. In the same way we get used to our lecture and tutorial timetables and shift times at our casual jobs during university, settling into a routine with full-time work can take some time too. While you might arrive at work and arrive back home around the same times each day, organising your day-to-day will involve a brand new level of time management and organisation.
- People will probably be friendlier than you think: We’ve all been warned about the office bully – that person that bosses you around because they don’t like newcomers, they don’t like change, or they want to show you who’s in charge. In reality, that’s not always the case. People are generally friendlier, more welcoming and ready to help you when you need. If you do come across those with a chip on their shoulder, just keep smiling.
- You’ll learn more than you ever thought you were capable of: One month is a long time when you’re learning new skills and working with new skills and different people every day. You’ll learn more in your first day, your first week and your first month than you ever thought. While you might not realise it at the time, when you sit down to add your current job and everyday tasks to your resume or explain to your friends what a standard day looks like, you’ll realise how much you’ve taken in.
- Finding the time for doctor’s appointments and the shopping is actually tricky: As silly as it sounds, finding the time to do everyday tasks becomes a lot harder when you’re working full-time. Banks, post offices and doctor or dentist surgeries are usually only open during working hours which leaves fitting in appointments to a limited lunch break!
- Putting too much pressure on yourself will only wear you out: We all want to impress and show our new employers we are capable of doing a good job, but adding your own pressure onto an already nerve-wracking time will only overwhelm you more. As long as you feel you’re doing the best you can, take the pressure off. It’s month one, you’ve got a big future ahead.
