I can hardly believe that I haven't updated this blog since December...DECEMBER! Who am I kidding? I can totally believe it. Anyone that knows me closely has come to understand that I am forever and always working on my follow-through. I won't fill this space with cliched excuses on how busy I've been, but instead I'll just pick up where I left off.
I had a "where the heck has time gone?!" moment yesterday when I was reminded that I'm quickly approaching my year anniversary at my current job. A year at this job means it's been two years since I graduated...two years?! I have a completely mixed batch of emotions about being two years out from graduation. While I feel so different from my friends that are still in school, I'm not sure I quite fit the young professional mold just yet, which begs the question, when will I feel like a real, working adult?
It's silly to think that one day a magic lightbulb will go off, and I'll suddenly feel older, wiser, more skilled and ready to tackle the working world. Wouldn't that be great if it worked that way? I'm beginning to understand that there are no shortcuts to garnering professional experience, and trying to skip rungs on the corporate ladder is risky and foolish.
I've found that gaining experience at an entry level is vital to cultivating a strong foundation for a successful and sustainable career. To this day, I am still working on building confidence in my abilities and my value as a professional. While it is easy to become insecure in such a shaky and unpredictable job market, I'm learning to place trust in the work that I do.
It would be ignorant to believe in the myth of job security, and with that thought always in mind, I have discovered that I enjoy finding ways to make myself valuable in my position. Unfortunately, I can recognize that I thrive on affirmation of the work that I've done...a common trait amongst my generation. I think this stems from my obsession as a perfectionist. Needing those verbal, overt compliments is something I like least about myself, and daily I am working to make kudos less important in my life.
In trying to make myself a more integral part of the "team" at my current job, I have begun to ween myself off needing a positive review for everything I do. I am taking more risks in suggesting new and different ideas; some of which are shot down, and I don't even have a heart attack. People aren't keeping score of how many times my ideas are turned down, I'm hoping they are beginning to see me as someone who always has something new up her sleeve.
I am taking on new projects for the sake of the company rather than recognition. I've learned a whole mess about how vigilant people really are at work. Trust me, if you're working hard, the right people are noticing, even if they don't say so. Just have faith that you are building a reputation for yourself as a responsible, innovative hard worker. Besides, the glow of a positive reputation lasts a lot longer than the flickering spotlight of positive recognition.
For now, I plan to continue on my quest to become an indispensable employee by doing a little research. I had an itch to go back to school a couple of days ago, and then, after contemplating the reality of taking out a student loan, I decided my itch was actually for learning and not school itself. Getting a public library card is a whole lot easier and cheaper that committing to several more years of higher education.
Officially, I will shoot for becoming an expert in my industry through researching new strategies, familiarizing myself with important case studies and reading all I can on relevant topics. What can it hurt? If I aim for expert and fall a little short, I'll still know more than I did before I started! No one else is going to make me a more well-rounded and knowledgeable young professional, that's my job.
All I know is that I am not content in just sitting still and letting opportunity pass me by. I do believe that we play a part in crafting our future both personally and professionally, and I pledge to do all I can to obtain the kind of career I've dreamed of.
Signing off and tentatively promising to post more because after all, I'm still only in my twenties and always still trying.
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