A Millennial’s Magic Bullet List to Corporate America
Entering Corporate America is like being a freshman in high school or college or back in kindergarten again. You are the tiniest fish in the biggest pond. You might come in wide-eyed and bushy tailed or with a little anxiety or nervousness. Whether you’re just entering the workforce all together or coming from a different type of work environment, the purpose of this article is to help equip millennials with the right mindset to be in Corporate America (however these principles are applicable to other work environments as well).
For some Corporate America is the dream job, and for others it is just a place for you to earn experience, get a check, pay all of your bills on time and be a productive citizen in the world. Whichever bucket you fall into, go us! We’re #adulting.
The fact that I even say a "magic bullet list” is funny because it somewhat implies that I figured out this Corporate America world, which I have not. Nevertheless, here are 5 things that will help as you navigate new territory.
You Need a(n):
1. Open Mind
Working in a diverse environment has its advantages, one of them is the exposure to so many different perspectives and opinions. Many of the different perspectives and opinions are not naturally occurring to us. Sometimes we will have to work extra hard to see something from another person’s perspective, whether it be a generational difference or a communication gap. I think it is important to note that we often think very differently than those who have been in this environment before us. And although we might not always agree, it is important to be open to their opinions and just try to understand. (For things like understanding the generational gap, it might help to have an ally to interpret things for you.) Just think what if we did this not just in the workplace, but in the world?
2. Sharp Eye
Your mere presence in this environment will teach you things if you just open your eyes. If you’re lucky like me you might find a mentor or two. You know those experienced people who you think you want to be like in X many years? They are intelligent, driven leaders. Do what they do, unless of course they’re doing something you should not be doing. They might be #goals, but keep in mind it likely took some years for them to get to their level in this space. Baby steps, grasshopper.
Things to observe: office culture (Are jeans truly ok every day or only on Fridays? Does open door policy really mean drop by or should you send an IM first to make sure they are free?), Communication preferences (you might have to curate your style to the audience. Summarize one way for your manager and explain it to the business partners another way), Office Personalities (Oooh. This is a big one. All co-workers are not the same. There are huggers, lunch goers, non-speakers and more. There are the only talk about work with me people and the ones who you end up knowing what their kids are doing daily. Understand and accept your colleagues for who they are. Don’t try to hug a non-hugger or speak to a non-speaker (well this one does not hurt). To make it easy just pay attention, there is so much you don’t know that people will not necessarily think to tell you, if they even tell you then. (Once again, find a couple of people you can ask, it helps to have sage feedback.)
3. Flexible Bone
Ok, back to the hopes and dreams note. I think we are definitely a dreamer generation and there is nothing wrong with that. But know that sometimes your dreams and goals will not perfectly align with the company’s needs. And that’s ok. Fill the need at work, but do not give up on your goals and dreams. Companies want team players, people who are willing to serve where planted. You just might get hired for one thing and end up doing another. The more ok you are with that the better.
4. Hard-working Spirit
At the end of the day, you were hired to do a job. Do it well. (so well, they name it after you, just kidding. Why would they do that?) When you encounter a problem or have a question, research it and come up with potential solution and then bring it to your manager or another knowledgeable co-worker. If you’re given a task do it 110%. I know we all heard this one before, so I’m going to stop here at the risk of sounding like our moms.
5. Patient Soul
Sometimes things just move slowly in Corporate America. Take a chill pill. You’ll live.
A huge thank you to my personal board of directors for watering the seeds and helping me learn these lessons. You know who you are and I know I have way more to learn.