Yesterday was my first “real” day in my new role at work! I’m still transitioning out of my old role (and will be keeping one of my projects for the next couple of years), and things are hectic, but I am SO excited to be doing and learning something new! I have an architecture degree, and have been working in design since May of 2007, but this new role is more strategic account management, and I will repeat, I am so excited about it! I’m excited about my clients, excited to be doing something strategic and non-design focused, excited to be on a new team, excited to meet new people… you get the idea. Excited, excited, excited.
Several people have reached out to ask how it went (thank you!) and many asked if I was getting trained because the role is so different. Not officially! I’m not shadowing anyone, and won’t go through a formal training process, but I do have lots of guides (people, not manuals), and that feels completely fine to me. It wouldn’t have fresh out of college, but I’ve been at this company 12+ years and have built up a level of confidence, and know where to look before I ask for help, and know who to ask for help when I need to! And I will be asking A LOT. Our culture is one where people want to help each other learn, and you are not shamed for not knowing something, so while it does feel overwhelming to be learning so much, I don’t feel ashamed that I am.
So it’s going well! My brain just feels super fried each day from taking in so much new information. And I expect it to be that way for several months, or a year+. Ha!
Now the important question is… should I use my new notebook for work notes or personal notes?! Both books are on their last page!
I also have this cute new notebook from my family to use… decisions, decisions…
Also, apologies if you opened because you though the title was about inauguration day. I am a federal employee and I don’t talk about politics on public forums.
Yay! So glad to hear things are going well thus far. That’s wonderful news – and it’s so great that you’re so excited about the change! I sure that makes the transition even smoother.
I vote that you use your photo notebook for personal notes (because you personalized it with photos) and the one from your family for work notes, unless you want a reminder of the things you love at work (presuming you don’t need that at home), then vice versa.
Gosh, yeah, it definitely does. Your comment makes me about a bad transition I had in a old role. This one is much better!
I think that is what I will do! Plus the non-personal one is wider is has way more pages!
Hooray! I’m glad your first few days have gone well. Isn’t it so exhausting to learn a new role? I remember those days. My brain is always so fried by the end of the day. I’m glad you have lots of people you can turn to for help AND that you’re good about asking. That’s one of my struggles, and I am trying to be better about it!
Yes! It really is! I am not very fun at night, or even on the weekends, if we are going through something complicated… my brain just can’t handle it.
I hope you do! That was one of my “to dos” last year – to reach out to people more for help and it really made a big difference in my stress levels.
Congratulations to you on your first day and first week…I am so happy for you!
Thank you! 😀
YAY FIRST DAY!! A new chapter in your career is pretty exciting. I’m sure there will be several days when your brain is on overload with information but one day you won’t even think about it and suddenly there you are… 🙂
It really is! And my clients do such cool stuff – it’s so fun to learn about them!
Right, eventually I will “know it all.” Ha, or enough.
Huh, it has never occurred to me to use a fun notebook for work. I only use those moleskin-type ones because they’re durable and, uh, sterile and functional. (I don’t use notebooks for “real life” that often.) The idea of using something fun for work feels like I’d be “ruining” it with work notes. Sooo…I’m no help here!
But I’m glad your first week went well, even though it sounded SO BUSY!
Ha ha ha! It actually has the opposite effect for me when I’ve done it in the past – it brings me a bit of joy when I see my notebook before or during a work meeting.
Thanks! It is! This week is even crazier with meetings. Ha.
Congrats on the first day. I read this as inspiration that someday soon I will blog about a job change with excitement.
Thank you! And yes, I hope to be hearing the same from you soon! Are you interviewing?
I am not interviewing yet, but hoping to line up a fair number of interviews in February.
I wondered what the “first day” was! SO GLAD you started, and that it’s going well. I think it takes at least 8 months, but more often a full year, to feel comfortable in a new position. I’ll be eager to see how it goes for you!
I’m also so happy to hear that people are reaching out to YOU! I bet they are happy to have you join the team.
I think that sounds right for this position. It’s crazy how much broader and more strategic it is than my old role, which is what I wanted, I just have a lot to learn.
Thanks, some have told me they are, which makes me feel good!
So excited to hear that you had a great first day 🙂
Thanks!