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Transitions: Backpack to Briefcase: Alumni Reflections
Backpack to Briefcase Panel: Advice from Recent Grads
Backpack to Briefcase Panel 2005

Back to Briefcase Panel: Advice from Recent Grads

Biggest Adjustments

• Getting up, every day, at 6:30

• "Having to go to work every day."

Elaboration: as a student, you could decide, from time to time, to cut class, miss a meeting, etc. As an employee, you have to go every single day (whether you feel like it or not)

• Being way younger than others in her group, or at her client site.

• Living completely on your own, without a parental "safety net."

As a student, you are able to spend your day on lots and lots of different things: classes, studying, job, extra-curriculars, visiting with friends, etc. As a full-time employee, this is not true. Day is much more the same, and much less in your control.

• Much less free time. "Cannot even watch E.R. every week."

You have to make a conscious effort to have a social life - too easy to just work a lot and then go home.

• If you've moved to a new place - you really are starting all over to meet people. Be an active volunteer.

However, all three panelists agreed: DO NOT DATE COWORKERS!

• Take initiative, and get involved/volunteer for a lot of things at work.

Examples included getting involved in Penn recruiting, volunteering for any social service activities sponsored by the firm (i.e., the firm's United Way campaign), playing on firm sports teams, etc.

• At the beginning you may not be given a lot of assignments/work to do. Ask for work. Let people know you're eager.

This point was really stressed this year. Take on as much work as you can, and produce excellent results really soon. It will establish your "trustability" and get you more, and better, work.

• Be thorough - and be clear about what you're being asked to do.

• Communicate with your manager - let her/him know what you're doing, what you're interested in, etc. Ask lots of questions.

• Do more than you're asked to do. Be proactive.

• Be professional at all times, even if you're with your peers (lots of other new grads). "There are eyes and ears everywhere".

• As a new employee (and new = first 6 months or so), ask a million questions, because it's ok to do so. After a certain amount of time, you lose the ability to ask without looking dumb. As a newcomer, you're expected not to know everything, so make the most of the opportunity to ask questions.

• Ask for help. Get feedback so that you know how you're doing. This point was also stressed.

Figure out who to ask which question. If it's really basic, ask a peer. But for the most part, people will help you.

• Develop relationships with folks outside your team/work group.

While it is not always easy to find a formal "mentor," get to know a lot of people, and learn what you can from everyone.

• Don't turn down an assignment for a social obligation ("I'm sorry, I can't stay tonight. My girlfriend is meeting me at 5:30" doesn't fly!)

• Thinking you have all the answers. "A little humility helps".

• Know the rules people follow which aren't stated. All offices have them. Keep your radar alert.

• Be mindful of your surroundings and who you're with. Don't get yourself into a situation which is unrectifiable.

• Keep your private life private.

• Do not circumvent your manager.

From Career Services: You may think you're working with one or another person who really is a loser. However, it is essential that you remember that they have been there longer than you, and there is some reason they still have their job. BE RESPECTFUL TO EVERYONE IN YOUR ORGANIZATION!!!

• Do not talk about anyone in the organization. Say only things about people that you would say to their face. Don't play people against each other. don't try to make yourself superior to others. Avoid getting affiliated with particular cliques.

• Don't date people in your group (some firms expressly forbid it).

• Don't room with someone you work with. If you do, you can *never* get away from work, and it can create problems.

• Keep a good log of what you do - keep track of your work systematically.

• Be sure you understand your supervisor or project manager's working style. Some will be very involved, some interfering, some very hands-off. Be sure you know what they want, and that you are delivering it.

• Communicate a lot, but be sure to learn your supervisor's preferred mode of communication. Some read e-mail, some do not. Some prefer memos, some prefer voice mail. Be sure you know your supervisor's preference. It's up to you to figure it out, and it's "your fault" (not your manager's) if you don't.

• Be as choosy as possible about your supervisor. When you interview, think about what kinds of questions you are asked, listen extremely actively; get a feel for the people you will be working with. Look around the work environment: what kind of attitude is prevalent? how do you see people interacting? do senior people take the time to meet you? Be observant, and pay attention to your feelings.

• Working more than 70 hours per week is immensely demanding [think about this: if you work from 8:00am-9:00pm Monday through Friday, you have "only" worked 65 hours a week]. Think carefully about your stamina, and if you want to have no life outside of work. Look at the job and the lifestyle it will demand.

• The people you work with are 70-90% of how you feel about your job. If you really don't like your supervisor and co-workers, you won't like the job.

• Lots of what you have learned at "absolutely right" in the classroom will not be accepted in the workplace (particularly. theoretical constructs). You'll need to adjust to the way your employer works. As well, you may be very much more technologically sophisticated than some of your co-workers, and you will need to adjust to that as well.

PRESENTERS

Chi Nguyen, Executive Trainee, Mothers Work Inc.
(Penn Alum)
Lisa Bolotin, Special Projects Trainee, School District of Philadelphia
(Penn Alum)
Inna Bleckman
Community Outreach Coordinator, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
(Penn Alum)

Q&A

Q: Is it difficult to find roommates? What’s the best way to find them?

Curchack
Career Services has city lists on Yahoo. You can join it to find fellow Penn grads who are also looking for roommates.
Off-campus living and Craigslist are good places to find roommates. Recent graduates are good to live with, because you can relate to them.

Q: What are some things to look out for when starting a new job?

Bleckman
Office gossip happens, so be careful how you act.

Bolotin
Act professionally and realize that you are not an intern anymore. You can relate more easily to co-workers after you’ve realized that fact.

Nguyen
I’ve found that employers expect a lot out of Penn graduates.

Bleckman
I agree--having the Penn name on your resume raises employers’ expectations.

Q: How should you relate to your co-workers?

Nguyen
It’s difficult because you have to humble yourself regardless of school origin.

Bolotin
Don’t offer advice to those directly above you. Assume that if the company hired a co-worker, they’re as good as you are.

Q: Is it hard to remain professional outside of work, such as if you’re going out to a bar?

Bleckman
It’s normal to go out with people from your workplace.

Nguyen
It helps to be a team player, so have fun but stay sensible. Do not lose perspective—they are co-workers, after all.

Q: Do older co-workers expect different treatment?

Nguyen
No. There are people ten years older than me who I’m on a first-name basis with. A good rule to follow is that you should treat people 2-3 years out of university as peers and be a little more cautious about older colleagues.

Q: Any don’ts?

Bolotin
I was made to realize that my boss’s word is final. I have to do what my boss says even if I don’t agree with it.

Nguyen
But don’t be a push-over. If they ask you to do something that’s too menial, make sure the person knows that that’s not your role. For example, I make a joke about it so the person knows.

Curchack
A good piece of advice to follow is to not be in the gossip pool. Don’t be prissy about it, but be reasonable. If you have to tell someone something sensitive, talk to someone outside of the office environment about it.

Nguyen
After college, everything is attached to your school. Right now, Penn has a great reputation so don’t ruin it!

Q: What have been the hardest parts of your transitions?

Bolotin
You can’t make your own schedule anymore. For me, I feel like I have more free time now than when I was in school.

Bleckman
I had too much free time after a month or so at my job, so I needed to find something to occupy my free time. Some people take a class or go to the gym.

Nguyen
I have long hours and I work out, so my days can be so routine that they can get monotonous. I recommend having something else to do.

Bolotin
It gives you something to think about and look forward to.

Nguyen
Also, pace yourself at work. You can burn out if you work too hard, and you could finish an assignment too fast and then have nothing to do.

Q: Do you have only one boss? How do you prioritize your work if you have multiple bosses?

Nguyen
Ask your boss or bosses to prioritize. Ask your highest boss about how you should prioritize your work. Also, be sure to ask for deadlines.

Bleckman
Give help, but not too much because it can end up being a second job for you when really it should be someone else’s responsibility.

Curchack
From the first day to the second month, ask as many questions as you want. After that, your grace period is over and you won’t be able to ask questions without any penalty.

Nguyen
At school, you can always ask for help. At work you have to figure out a lot on your own. Also, take notes when getting a task to do.

Q: What should you do about personal calls at work?

Bleckman
Don’t take personal calls at all.

Nguyen
Don’t surf the Internet or use an instant messenger, either, because a lot of companies monitor your Internet use.

Bolotin
I recommend taking cues from your boss about what’s appropriate.

Curchack
As the new kid, you’re building trust. So you have to make an extra effort at first. If there’s a personal emergency, tell your manager beforehand that you’ll take those calls.
The organization that hired you wants to make you a good hire. People want to help you because they’re trying to make you succeed.

Bolotin
I agree. As long as there is a reason that you’re taking calls, your boss will understand.

Curchack
But be strategic. If there’s a project due, don’t leave work early to go to a baseball game, for example!

Nguyen
Take notes on what you’ve accomplished at the company so you can suggest improvements and talk about it at future job interviews.

Bolotin
It is important to learn how to use CC on e-mails. Learning how everyone works and adopting the culture of your workplace is important.

Nguyen
If there’s an important e-mail, ask who to send it to. Try CC’ing the boss’s boss, because that’ll make your boss more responsive.
Remember, if you don’t like your job you can leave it. Don’t be dependent on it. As long as you have a good reason it’s fine to look for a new job.

Bleckman
Do not take a job just because you want to graduate with a job. It simply is not worth it. And if you don’t like your job, you can leave it.

Q: How do you handle office politics?

Nguyen
Listen to it, don’t spread it.

Bleckman
Take gossip with a grain of salt, too.

Q: Who should you ask for feedback?

Bolotin
Ask your direct supervisor for feedback, especially right after a project.

Nguyen
I know that in rotational programs, you’ll probably get a performance evaluation after every rotation. In a rotational program, make sure your boss knows what you’ve been assigned to learn. If there’s a problem, talk to your human resources supervisor.

Bleckman
Don’t discuss your performance with your co-workers. Talk with your boss about it.

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