One Year Later and Still Deciphering Business Casual

This article was originally published on LinkedIn by Rachel Krauss.


“Hello, I’m Rachel and I’m on the Supply Chain team at Berlin Packaging.”

“Hey there! I’m Rachel and I am the new Supply Chain Coordinator here at Berlin.”

“Hi, my name is Rachel Krauss and I am the Supply Chain Coordinator at Berlin Packaging.”

These were the words (along with many others) echoing from my shower on the night of Wednesday, May 25, 2016. The last night of my youth, freedom and responsibility-less life as I knew it. Because Thursday, May 26, 2016, I had my first day of work.

Okay so that was a little dramatic. Can you blame me though? I’m a “millennial.” And I was about to start my first real job, in the headquarters of a global packaging company. Five days after graduation. After going away to a small liberal arts school in North Carolina, I retreated to my hometown of Chicago for a position I had no expectations for in an industry I also knew nothing about. So, sue me for practicing my introduction several times in the shower.

The first day, the second day, and almost every day after that for about six months I was acclimating myself in the office. While I absolutely dominated my introduction (see the last option at the top of the page for what I ended up using), being in an office was challenging.

Most of my interactions were with my boss, her boss, and other high-level executives for which I often felt ill-prepared. The rush of nervousness when I first met the CEO, who by the way is a super, nice and personable man, is almost too embarrassing to describe (okay, fine: the same nervousness I felt when I was about to sing in Italian at a voice recital in high school that I only did because it gave me honors credit. Thanks for always “challenging” me, Mom). They don’t teach you in college the things in the working world that you don’t think about (until they happen), like:

What is appropriate to make small talk about with my coworkers? Is there a limit to how many times I can go to the bathroom during the day without my boss thinking I have a bladder problem? If I get there at 8:07 instead of 8:00 on the dot should I only take 53 minutes for lunch? Am I asking too many questions? How’s my voice level? Is it bad to eat carrots at my desk? What IS business casual?!?!

My position in Supply Chain had almost nothing to do with my Strategic Communications major. At the beginning, I felt like the only thing I was good at and felt comfortable doing was writing e-mails. But over time, I learned things I never thought a year ago I would have known. The different types of plastic, what a Certificate of Insurance even means, how bottles and caps are manufactured. But my knowledge base grew beyond just Supply Chain. Gross margin, check. A D&B Report, yep. Even understanding how companies can be integrated after an acquisition. I had learned more in one year about Supply Chain and business in general than I had in my entire life. I was seeing myself grow personally and professionally in more ways than I had imagined.

Work picked up quickly and I was given more responsibilities. I was constantly busy. I started a few initiatives for my company, both in the Supply Chain and in the Marketing department. Things were changing at work — and I was helping change them. The days, weeks, months flew by. Seasons changed rapidly and I started to realize I spent more time in the office or thinking about work then I did at home or with my friends and family. I would constantly think to myself “Who am I?

One year later was suddenly here, although it only felt like a few months. Someone asked me a few days after my work anniversary, “can you believe it’s been a year already? Have you learned a lot?” I looked at her and laughed, “You have no idea.”

I walked home that night on May 30, 2017 and thought about what I have learned, being not only a millennial, but a post-graduate in the workforce. One year ago, I would say I work from 8–5. Now I say I sort of work from 8–5, but it depends on my workload. If I need to stay later or come in earlier, I’ll work more to get things done (well) in time. One year ago, I would say I don’t know much about the industry I work in. Now I say I have learned so much about packaging, business and people — but I still have so much more to learn. I may be comfortable answering emails or describing my job to others, but I still ask questions every day. One year ago, I would say OMG, I can’t believe I’m an adult! And now I say, my name is Rachel Krauss and I am the Supply Chain Coordinator at Berlin Packaging. I’m 23, an adult millennial in the workforce. And my career is just getting started.


Want to send Rachel a thank-you note for her wise words? Here is her email, and don’t forget to connect with her via LinkedIn!

You can also connect with Berlin Packaging on Twitter and LinkedIn.

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We're confused twenty-somethings. We dish on our post-grad blues, successes, failures, and everyday life right here. Featuring topics related to work, relationships, travel, finances, and so much more.

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The Post-Grad Survival Guide

We're confused twenty-somethings. We dish on our post-grad blues, successes, failures, and everyday life right here. Featuring topics related to work, relationships, travel, finances, and so much more.

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