Go to the profile of Katie@Work
Katie@Work
Documenting the tos and fros of becoming a professional.

Diary of a Graduate: early bird

Day 1

5.30 AM: successful people get up early, right? Well, here I am — awake with the lark. Starting my new job, or the prospect of it at least, has awoken my IBS, and me.

Frankie’s asleep so I’ve decided to use this time wisely: tabbing between YouTube clips of Seinfeld, the Dailymail and this online diary.

I so badly want today to go well. After four years of University, a year of travelling and two weeks of demoralising flat hunting in London, I feel like being in place where everyone is showered and there’s always electiricity and milk, has to be a positive move.

Some positive thoughts:

  • I noticed at induction that other gratuate starting with me, Andrew, had a weird intensity— he asked the Director of Marketing about his biggest SEO fear. I mean, shut up! By contrast I think I could bring a nice mellowness to the office, or at least not ask that question.
  • When I think about the fact that my Grandmother never had the chance to work — I feel a bit Hilary Clinton about the move.
  • Now that I’m working, I can start to have an impact on the world. No longer a by-stander.
  • While I’m not becoming a writer (immediately) as I always planned to, I will get so much inspiration from the people I meet — and I’ll have time to write on weekends. This is actually so much better than being paid to write.

Stomach churning questions for resolution:

  • The words ‘permanent job’ are horrifying. Is this my life now? Sitting on a loo before work, then sitting at a desk, then coming home and sitting in front of Netflix? What about my youth? What about nature? What about coffee shops?
  • I noticed at the interview that my new manager had a disconnect between her stated enthusiasm for the role, and the tone of her voice. This freaked me out — what if she’s horrific?
  • How long can Frankie and I kip in his sister’s house before she changes the locks? And, will she notice that I borrowed a tampon? I say borrowed..
  • Where are the tights I bought in Primark? I need them for my new adult life.

Ok, that’s enough. Into the fray!