Getting Through Corporate America
After college, my career got started with an internship. Yes, an internship. Three months after interning, I was presented with an opportunity to work full-time. I said yes, duh!
Every morning for roughly eight months I’d leave Harlem for Wall Street. Life, career wise, didn’t seem like it could get any better. At twenty-two, nothing seemed better than working in policy, in New York City, on Wall Street.
I quickly learned there was (and always is) more to life.
I worked on a small team of five; everyone had different personalities. One always talked about working-out after work. She’s actually the inspiration behind my decision to get back in the gym, and stick to it. My other coworker brewed beer in the basement of his Brooklyn apartment (who showed me it’s totally fine to have a personality at work while being professional) while another worked hard, traveled often, yet no one actually liked them.
I fell somewhere in the middle – for sure, a young twenty-something, ready and interested in learning it all. Quickly, reality began to hit. There was no room to grow as the people before me could not get ahead. It wasn’t until I sat in during a working lunch session where I was “put onto game”.
Eight months passed.
Somewhere in there, I didn’t feel “needed” on Wall Street. I knew how important it was for me to be needed at work. I’m not sure where that sense of entitlement came from, I just knew whatever I did with my career I would be needed.
I got to thinking…
I’ve always wanted to create experiences. In my opinion, the best way to do that with a “real job” was to plan events and a position similar to that was in existence within the organization. The opportunity presented itself – I was offered a position where I’d be able to do just that. I couldn’t be happier. I’ve learned so much from “work”, alone.
Pay attention.
There are always things happening, pay attention. Pay attention to what people are wearing, when your boss arrives and leaves, the busiest time of (each) day for you + your team. Pay attention to the context of side conversations so you’ll never have an inappropriate one. Get close with the people who seem to “know it all”.
Know what you want to do.
Knowing what you want out of life is half the battle of actually living it. Knowing what you want out of your career is wise if you’ll be working for someone else, at any point in your life. It will help you navigate your way through the working world, which will help you to feel accomplished along the way.
Smile, often + always.
Just as you are observing others, others are observing you. One of my old coworkers always smiled, even when she was upset. Then, I didn’t understand how + exactly why she would do that. Appearing to have negative energy in the work place is never good; it’s never good in life either but let’s stick to discussing the work place for now. You always want to come across as someone who is willing to help + able to find a solution. Smile while you’re doing it.
Know when to speak up.
If you’re anything like me, eventually you want to be the boss. I mean, isn’t the top what we’re all working towards? As everything in life doesn’t call for a reaction, so is it in the work place. Everything doesn’t need a response. You don’t have to response to everyone’s statements, comments, etc. As long as you remain polite and do your job, you my friend are good. Of course, you should get to know your coworkers, engage, + grow your network. Be mindful in your actions. Be specific with your words – you’re at work.
If you see something about to go terribly wrong – say something. But there’s no need to respond to your coworker’s random comments about how drunk they got yesterday – you two aren’t friends. Remember, someone is watching.
Know when to leave.
You don’t have to stay, anywhere. If your needs aren’t being met, what are you doing there? If you can’t pay your bills. If your manager doesn’t seem to care about your career goals. If you are not growing professionally… leave. It’s 2017 – there is opportunity waiting for you to create it.
Sometimes leaving isn’t necessarily leaving a company; sometimes you just need to switch teams to flourish.
What tips gets through the corporate world? Share them with us in the comments below!
+Shevon