My junior year is winding down--debate is over for the season, finals are here, and I've started a new summer job with the Census Bureau. Next year is my last at WKU.
Preparing for my senior year is exhausting; I feel slightly overwhelmed with the flood of GREs, grad school applications, and grad classes I'll be taking in addition to my senior courses in undergraduate next semester. Use your summer jobs wisely to make the most on your grad school apps.
There are a few things I'm doing to (hopefully) cut down on my workload. Last summer, I knocked out an internship with Homeland Security. This summer, I'm getting real experience in my future field of political work. As a Census Bureau employee, I'll be receiving training in survey completion, statistics, productivity, and management. Summer is an excellent time to get ahead of the career game by gaining extra skills and experience. And if you're lucky, a paycheck as well.
In both summers, I used Career Services to help me find the perfect summer job. I'd advise students at any level in college to use their services as soon as possible. The sooner, the better!
Monday, May 3, 2010
Starting a New Job
So you got the job, now what? I recently found myself in the same position. After being hired as a US Census Bureau Enumerator and four days of training, I found myself in yet another new position: Crew Leader Assistant. I no longer was in the job I had applied for. Same department, newer job. I'd been selected for a managerial position. New jobs or changes in job positions can be difficult.
New jobs are full of learning new management styles, coworker habits, and job responsibilties. This is such a daunting challenge to adjust that 46% of rookies wash out in the first 18 months and 53% of managers and executives brought on board from outside are gone within a year.
So how do you maintain your new job and make a smooth transition? A CNN interview with large company career specialists provides some tips for making the most out of a new job:
1. Know your responsibilities and the goals your boss expects from your within the first 6 months to a year. Write the timeline down so that you know if you're ahead or behind.
2. Ask questions. If you're trying to "reinvent the wheel" on your own, your manager will wonder why you are wasting so much time. Ask coworkers and your boss if you're having trouble understanding something in the workplace. You're new, so people will understand if you're asking questions.
3. Build good relationships with your coworkers. They'll be more willing to help you out and you'll feel more comfortable. If you encounter hostile attitudes, follow three students: First, try to bring to the surface the reasons behind the attitude. Ask questions to understand what's really going on. Second, change the conversation. Focus on the goals of the group, team, or company. Finally, rise above. Take the high road if all else fails.
New jobs are full of learning new management styles, coworker habits, and job responsibilties. This is such a daunting challenge to adjust that 46% of rookies wash out in the first 18 months and 53% of managers and executives brought on board from outside are gone within a year.
So how do you maintain your new job and make a smooth transition? A CNN interview with large company career specialists provides some tips for making the most out of a new job:
1. Know your responsibilities and the goals your boss expects from your within the first 6 months to a year. Write the timeline down so that you know if you're ahead or behind.
2. Ask questions. If you're trying to "reinvent the wheel" on your own, your manager will wonder why you are wasting so much time. Ask coworkers and your boss if you're having trouble understanding something in the workplace. You're new, so people will understand if you're asking questions.
3. Build good relationships with your coworkers. They'll be more willing to help you out and you'll feel more comfortable. If you encounter hostile attitudes, follow three students: First, try to bring to the surface the reasons behind the attitude. Ask questions to understand what's really going on. Second, change the conversation. Focus on the goals of the group, team, or company. Finally, rise above. Take the high road if all else fails.
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