Lessons learnt from my first job after graduating

1) never take your job for granted – I know so many of us are unhappy in our jobs due to the nature of work we do doesn’t really match our interests, but I guess we have to start somewhere right? One thing I learnt was to appreciate what I have because it could always be worse, I could be unemployed sat at home alone with no source of income as many people my age are – in fact I have learnt so much about life in general by being in a job that didn’t serve my passion/interests. When I started interacting with people over the phone and delivering customer service I automatically felt responsibility towards my role and wanted to deliver excellent customer service. A job that I deemed as temporary and basic within weeks became something I didn’t actually mind once I started appreciating it and taking responsibility for what I was paid for.

2) Appreciate the people you meet – everyone and I meant e v e r y o n e is fighting a battle, the people who look the happiest and laugh the hardest can actually be the loneliest and I have my self experienced this in my job. If someone makes you smile or laugh regularly then appreciate their presence in your life, because laughter really is the best medicine :) In essence it is important you know and learn how to work well with other people, yes some might be annoying, difficult and you might not be find of them but figuring out how to talk and interact with people is vital to your career path.

3) Don’t settle – so many people were surprised when I decided to leave my job after 4 months as the people I worked with have been there for 2–3 years due to the fact they became very comfortable and automatically became to numb to their job. Some of the people I met and got on with really well had such great potential to do what they genuinely want to do, but did not have the courage to take a risk and delve into their reality. I myself within 4 months did become very comfortable with the people and work lifestyle and I am finding it hard to let go – I do believe it might be natural? I don’t know. But I also know by moving on to something that will serve me better will benefit me in the long run. I’ve not completely absorbed this but I know with time I will be grateful for being strong and leaving. If something better does come your way do not feel bad for taking up that opportunity, some of my team members maybe not intentionally did make me feel guilty for doing something better for me, but then I guess that’s the difference between those who go and get and those who stay put and settle.

4) Learn – your first job no matter what it is will be the foundation of your learning for what you choose to do in your other jobs. My advice would be to just be yourself, this is your chance to just be you, observe the similarities you have with the humans you encounter with and also embrace the differences as this will help you realise who you really are. Every job has its ups and downs. But it is all what you make of it! When I realised how demotivated some people are I made a promise to myself that this is not the life I want.

5) Embrace your worth/value – sometimes in a job when a lot of the time can be about pleasing your seniors it’s very easy to lose yourself and forget your self worth. If there is a problem voice it, be straight up they will genuinely respect you for this. I know this is true because I failed to do this, I was not straight up at all and didn’t voice my concerns or when I felt like I wasn’t treated right due to the fear of of what my manager might think or say so I just ignored it *avoidance is never the answer* however a new girl started few weeks ago and I’ve noticed how straight up she is, for example the other day she spoke to my manager openly about how she needs to learn more tasks as she is getting bored of doing the same thing over and over again and I was so impressed that she didn’t shy away, in that instant my manager got another colleague to train her on the work she wanted to learn. Which brings me to say if you don’t ask the answer is always going to be no!

6) People come & go – now that I’m leaving and moving on to my next job this is hitting me hard! I definitely formed an attachment to my job and the people I interacted with. But the truth is all things Come to and end and the meaning of career path is to experience different jobs/people and options for your own sake. No path is straight, and no path is the same, the path outside doesn’t stop, it moves forward and never ends! Same can be applied to life. Attachments are not unhealthy it shows you have a heart that cares, but what I’m learning is you also have to train your heart to be strong and let go so you can attract opportunists.

7) Avoid negativity. – some people are just negative and have a bad attitude problem and their vibe can really bring you down and make you feel miserable, you must rise up stronger and not let their vibe affect yours and be grateful you are not this horrid ball of negativity

6) Your job is a lifeless object – don’t obsess over it or love it too much. Instead you should love the the work you do, not where.

These are just some of my thoughts on what I have learnt, I am so grateful for this experience and the people I met who I will miss a lot but I am also ready to try my fullest to close this chapter and begin my new chapter 🤗