What Six Months at a Big-4 Taught Me
“Wait six months… is that it?”
I know, six months doesn’t seem like a lot at all but there were definitely some key takeaways that I managed to find. In such a small amount of time I learnt some important lessons that can be carried throughout my career from job to job. Looking back in retrospect, I know that hearing these tips would have let me hit the ground running, so I encourage you all to remember them when beginning your job.
Tip #1: Balance your responsibilities
Definitely one of the most important things is to be completely transparent with your teams and co-workers. It’s always best to tell them of any extra responsibilities that you have on and to make sure you don’t make any unnecessary sacrifices.
Although your career may take priority after Uni, it’s essential to balance it out with your own hobbies and to not push them to the side.
I know you’ve probably heard or read that so many times in so many different articles, but there’s a reason; it’s true. One thing I regret was biting my tongue and taking on additional work that wasn’t within my scope and capabilities, just to try make a name for myself.
In the end, I lost touch with things that kept me grounded and started to take focus on quantity over quality. Your teams won’t hold you down and glue you to your desk, if you have other responsibilities that are important to you they’ll help cater and work around them. Not only your own responsibilities, but any problems you come across whether it be from your own doing or another, voice them immediately and solve them together.
Instead of pushing problems away or feeling that you might be a ‘killjoy’ it’s always best to identify mistakes now, rather than with a client, presenting all the hard work you’ve done. All I said above may seem well and true, however, none of that can happen unless you are transparent and open with your teams.
Flowing on from above, I cannot stress this next point enough.
Tip #2: Know your limits
There is nothing wrong in knowing what might be out of your reach or abilities, in fact it actually demonstrates a great sense of self awareness and a fuel for motivation to learn and expand.
Your teams won’t think less of you for asking questions or not knowing how to do things, instead, they’ll begin to respect and understand the fact that this is new to you and encourage your open mind and willingness to learn.
The last thing you want to do is over promise and under deliver.
Tip #3: There is always a way path
Finally, one of my favourites and probably the thing I learnt on some of my last few days was that in life, there’s always a way.
No matter what you want to do, where you want to do it or why you want to do it, how you do it is totally in your hands.
Applying for a job through the traditional process isn’t the only way to get it, wanting to work in a different department of your company doesn’t only happen if you apply.
There are so many different ways to do things if you’re first attempt doesn’t follow through. Learn about all your options and the paths that you can take and find the one most suited to you.
By now you I’m hoping you have some insight from my experience. If not, I encourage you to keep an open mind when going into your profession, as you certainly will learn some character defining lessons that can be with you for life.
Written by,
Liam Manoogian
