Life Skills

Professional Development

"Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterward."
- Vernon Law

Perceptions and Assumptions: Yours and others

• Make a good first impression, as this opinion often forms future opportunities within the company.
• You need to factor in your supervisor’s personality, how to approach him/her when you have a disagreement or a different idea.
• Who are the key players in your department and the company?
• Decorating the office – who sees it? What image are you presenting? What are the company rules?
• Use common sense when discussing your personal life at work.
• E-mail and Internet usage – Remember any work, personal or other, on e-mail or the Internet, is open to observation if you use a company computer.
• College environment and work environments are radically different.

Getting involved within the company

• Committees – use discretion when joining so you don’t overextend.
• Find out about various associations for membership.
• You may work at a company that has a Union; learn what is involved.
• It is appropriate to ask your supervisor for ways to grow and learn new job strategies as long as your regular workload is getting done.
• Take advantage of classes and seminars for further advancement.

Interacting effectively with your coworkers

• Choose your battles carefully - when do you decide to say something and when do you let it go?
• Get your work done without being drawn into office politics.
• Learning how to not burn bridges is critical to success; remember, saying less can be better.
• Be sure to document what you do and when you deserve credit.
• If you make a mistake, own up to your behavior – be the one to tell your supervisor your error vs. he/she hearing it from someone else.
• Be ethical.
• Avoid gossip – listening or spreading.

Finding allies within the company

• Find people to trust, not necessarily the first person that befriends you.
• Pay attention to the subtleties – at meetings, around the office, etc.
• Identify and use multiple mentors within the company.
• Listen more than talk.