A Star In The Ascendant: recent grad

What Do You Bring to the Table?

8:30 AM
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First Job Chronicles: Adjusting to Transition

Even though we know it's inevitable, sometimes change has a tendency to freak us out. The slightest switch ups can change our entire attitudes. Even with my disdain for extreme change, I chose to work in marketing and public relations. (I know I’m a crazy person.) About three months ago, the company I work for went through a huge transition. It was done in the best interest of the patients but a lot of the changes have been just as frustrating for the patients and employees alike. In the past few weeks, everyone has fallen into step with their position in the new company but it has been difficult. Seeing as how I'm on the tail-end of my transition, I thought this might be the perfect time to give some advice on getting through it. Whether transitioning from college to the real world or one major to another, these tips will (hopefully) make your adjustment as easy as possible.

Take it Slow: Most of the people I work with anticipated everything to get better immediately. It takes time. A brand new company means a brand new group of people and new processes. Getting the hang of those changes is going to take some time so don't expect for everything to go right in the first week or even month of a transition.

Avoid "Warrior Mode": Like I mentioned early, a new company means new people to work with. With not against. These people have been doing things their way for years. Every company has their own way of working so reaffiliating with new management changes the way everybody is going to get things done. Avoid resorting to warrior mode and try to compromise.

Keep Your Attitude in Check: When you're caught in the middle of a huge change, it's very easy to get upset. Trust me. Not being able to see what's on the horizon or even the light at the end of the tunnel is infuriating, especially for control freaks like me. However, that doesn't mean you can take it out on the rest of your coworkers. Now is not the time for smart-mouthing or sarcastic comments. Maintaining a positive attitude shows that you can work well in uncomfortable situations and your employer will appreciate you keeping everyone looking on the bright side!

You're Not In This Alone: EVERYONE is going through the same thing you are. Be open and honest with your boss about your questions or concerns. I spent at least three weeks scared to ask my supervisor about the transition. I knew I wouldn't lose my job but what else was in store? Would my job duties be the same? Who else am I working with? After weeks of stressing, I opened up to her about my frustrations. Surprisingly, she was just as curious. Even though she couldn't answer a majority of my questions, she reassured me that anything she learned about our positions would be shared with me. It was reassuring to know that someone had the some concerns as I did.

How do you adjust in times of transition? What tips do you have for people going through the same thing?

8:30 AM
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Adultify Your Morning Routine

Adult

Nowadays, it seems like everything has been "adultified." The same way our grocery shopping habits have started including more fresh fruits and veggies rather than Ramen noodles and Pop-Tarts, our ~~mourning~~ morning routine must be adultified as well. Even though waking up for work sucks just as bad as waking up for an 8AM class, these guidelines will help you create a morning routine suited for the adult we all wish we could be.

First and foremost, stop hitting "Snooze." I too find it incredibly hard to drag myself out of my comfy bed at 6:45 in the morning but I try my hardest not to hit snooze. Here's why: when you hit snooze and roll over for another 10 minutes of shut-eye, your body starts to re-enter sleep mode. There's no possible way that your body can get any true rest from 10 minutes because you're entering into a sleep that you can't finish. Which is why you feel so groggy and exhausted when you actually do get up and end up needed two cups of coffee just to make it to 10 o'clock. Move that alarm clock across the room so that you absolutely have to get up. You'll hate it for the first five minutes but you'll set you body up for success!

Start your day with something you love. Every morning, I turn my television to TNT and watch half an episode of "Charmed" before I go to work. (Yes, it's weird. Nope, don't care.) It's been one of my favorite shows since I was seven or eight. Even though I've seen all of the episodes, I still watch it every single morning. Why? Because I'd rather start my day off with something I like than sluggishly get dressed. TV just happens to be mine so find yours! Turn on some music, listen to a podcast - expose yourself to something that you really like before making your way to work.

Make a couple minutes to read over your to-do list. If you're anything like me, you have lists on top of lists on top of lists in your planner. I've condensed the number of lists to one or two per day so I'm getting there. But what really helps is actually seeing what I've got to do first thing in the morning. Normally, as I am doing my hair, I start looking over my list from the day before. Actually seeing what I have to do that day puts me in the mindset to be productive.

Grab something for breakfast. I personally can't eat breakfast at 7 AM and last until noon or 1 o'clock for lunch. It just ain't happening. But I will grab a yogurt or make an omelet to eat when I get to work an hour later. They (whoever they are) don't say breakfast is the most important meal in the day for nothing. Get your body ready to take on the day! You can run only so far without something to break your fast (get it?) and two cups of coffee doesn't count.

Pray or meditate and catch up. I have read many articles that say you're supposed to pray or meditate as soon as you wake up. Well guess what? As soon as I wake up, all I care about is making it to work on time. Not to say that I don't value and love my time with The Lord, but first thing in the morning, I find it really really hard to concentrate on my scripture. That's why I save this moment for my car ride. It takes me about 20 minutes to get to work. I spend half of that time either praying or thinking about the message on Sunday. The other half is spent reading theSkimm or listening to a podcast or radio show. I think it's pretty important to know what's going on in the world so I always try to stay in the know!

Right before you walk into work or class - it's time for a pep talk. My pep talk consists of two deep breaths and me saying: "Kayla, you're the shit. So don't take anyone else's. But be nice because you still have bills to pay." Selfish and conceited are two completely different things. Liking yourself and encouraging yourself is totally necessary! Compliment yourself and hype yourself up before going to starting your day.

What's part of your morning routine?

10:30 AM
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First Job Chronicles: Coping with Post-Grad Stress

bills

No matter how old I get or how intense my job is, nothing is more stressful than trying to finish the last paragraph of a ten page paper that's due in 10 minutes. I would never wish that amount of stress on anyone. Although it's a different type, I can't lie and say that stress goes away after college. It just changes. Kind of like energy, if that makes sense? The stress that comes from your first job isn't the gut-wrenching stress that comes from pulling an all-nighter but it's there, trust me. Here's a full breakdown of the stress that you'll experience while in your first job:

The Need to Impress - Even a task as simple as making an excel spreadsheet become's daunting. You're constantly wondering if you're doing everything right or if your boss is impressed. Sometimes doing what you've always done just doesn’t seem like enough. Sometimes you feel dumb for asking questions and even start questioning yourself. Advice? Just be confident in your abilities. Whether you're just starting out or you've been at your job for a few months, rest assured that you were hired for a reason. Plus, asking the right questions (not repetitive ones that have already been answered) shows that you care about your job - that's a good thing!
Bills Get Worse - I've never been in a situation where my family covered my finances. In the six years that I've had a cell phone, my mom has paid my phone bill twice. (Once when I had a Pay-As-You-Go phone and when I got a new phone, you had to pay one month upfront.) My mom has paid my rent once and even then I paid her back. So, hearing that bills get worse from a girl like me is not a joke. Car insurance, life insurance, 401(k) deductions, dental & vision insurance - they hit you like an anvil in a Warner Bros. cartoon. Let the stress flood in. Advice? Get your finances in order! Create your own budget and get money smart. Being financially literate will help you tremendously in the long run.
Is this Really What I Want to Do? There have been a lot of twists and turns in my current position and sometimes being thrown into such crazy situations will stress you out. Internships will teach you a lot and I'm extremely thankful for all of those opportunities but nothing will give you the experience that you get from being on the job. A majority of my friends are in graduate school, earning Master's degrees and doing co-ops. I'm so grateful that I have a job that originally allowed me to grow as a professional, but I would be lying if I said that I don't miss being in the classroom. Most recent graduates who starting working right out of college are wondering the same thing. Advice? Do your research. Since I’m also in this predicament, I can tell you that I've been doing exactly that. Not only looking into other job opportunities but at graduate programs as well. I'm definitely not saying that I wanna leave my job, but there's absolutely nothing wrong with keeping your options open.

Are you currently stressed out in your current first job? What's stressing you and how do you cope? Let's help each other out!

8:30 AM
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Reverse Ageism: An Age Old Problem with a Plot Twist

adult recognition

A 2014 study showed that black women are the most educated group in the United States, outranking every other race and gender in college enrollment. If you are a woman of color, you already know that you've had two strikes against you since birth. We still have many (many many) steps to take before we are even close to an equal playing ground with our white, male counterparts, but this is a step in the right direction, right? There shouldn't be anymore obstacles to overcome after we pass race and gender, right? Hate to break it to you, but there's someone new on the pitcher's mound so be prepared for strike three.

The term ageism was coined in 1969 to define the stereotyping and discriminating against individuals or groups on the basis of their age. In that time, the term referred specifically to older individuals who had spent decades in the workforce. Now, millennial's and generation Y can look forward to another closely tied concept called reverse ageism. Yup, that's right. Along with overcoming obstacles based on race or ethnicity and gender, let's go ahead and add age into that as well. For my non-WOC readers, don't feel left out - this will definitely affect you as well.

According to an article from the Wall Street Journal, many employers are adopting a "last in, first out" policy to prevent age-discrimination lawsuits. Increasingly so over the last few years, the majority of those being laid off are younger employees. "While no age group is exempt from layoffs, younger workers seem to be shouldering a larger percentage of the burden, according to recent Labor Department figures," WSJ notes.

Not only is this in regards to layoffs, reverse ageism happens even in the workplace. In the measly six months that I've been employed full time, I would have to say that someone brings up my age at least four or five times a week. Whether asking if I've seen a movie that came out at any point in the 90s or referencing my "millennial-like" lingo, I am always aware that I am new to the grown up table. Try as I might to adapt to my coworkers way of thinking, I've realized that I just don't fit in. Never mind the fact that I am one of two African American's that I see on a daily basis.

My boss, who is dreading her upcoming thirty-first birthday, is the one who I feel youngest around. In an office surrounded by physicians who've spent nearly two decades at the practice, the person who makes me feel most self conscious about myself is a staggering nine years older than me. Every time she says something, I think to myself "why does it matter if I know who Jem & the Holograms are? Isn't it more important that I know how to update a website or write a press release?" Not really. She may joke about it (often) and laugh it off, but what it really comes down to is relatability. Can I identify with you? Can I relate to you? I'm not expecting getting the boot anytime soon but understanding how reverse ageism could affect me not only as a millennial but as a female, African American millennial definitely has me on my P's & Q's.

Have any of you experienced reverse ageism in the workplace? What are your thoughts on the concept as a millennial just entering the workforce? I'd love to hear what your thoughts!

8:00 AM
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First Job Chronicles: Being "the kid" and Getting Adult Recognition

adult recognition

I grew up watching Boy Meets World, Mary Kate & Ashley movies & Sister, Sister. Tamagotchi pets & glitter Pokemon cards were coveted in elementary school circles and the sign of a great day was walking into class and seeing a huge box TV being rolled to the front of the room. I'm a 90's baby and I love it. Last November, I turned 21 and have been enjoying my barely legal adulthood ever since. I never once was insecure about my age...until I entered the real world.

My current boss turned 30 less than a week after I turned 21. Aside from the fact that she's my boss, I don't see her as being much older than myself. She binge watches Pretty Little Liars, shares my love of wine and spends half of the summer lounging by the pool. I probably wouldn't even notice that I was so young if she didn't mention something about her age every other day. Oh and my work environment doesn't help too much either. I’m surrounded by people who've been at the company for at least five years, are married with children and own their homes. It's hard not to be known as the kid in the office. In the last five months, I've learned a LOT about being an adult and about being recognized as one as well. Here are my tips on how to be recognized as an adult when you're clearly not old enough to have a mortgage:

For Goodness Sake, Sit up Straight: body language is one of the most important giveaways. Young people have a tendency to slouch, which gives a "submission" effect. When I'm sitting across from my boss and she's asking me to work on something, I subconsciously slouch. Hunched shoulders and big puppy dog eyes make you look like a kid. I'm not saying posture is the end all, be all, but give it a try and tell me it doesn't make you feel more sophisticated.
Language Is Just as Important as Body Language: Unless the sentence is a simile, try your hardest to refrain from overusing the word "like." It's really hard, I know. But one thing that my boss encouraged me to work on during my 3-month evaluation is stepping up my professionalism in the speaking department. Hearing the words "like" or "cute" over and over again is not only really annoying, it makes you sound like Alicia Silverstone from Clueless. You are not Cher. Stop it. Oh and believe me, I'm being just as mean to everyone as I am to myself. (After my boss pointed out that I say "BRB" and "probs" on a daily basis, I had to make some lifestyle changes.)
Dress for the Job You Want: I love dressing up. Heels, jewelry, dresses - the whole nine yards. I'm not a fashionista like Zaria from A Dose of Fab, but I do what I can. Working in a semi-medical environment, most of my coworkers wear scrubs and sneakers. However, most of the other administrative people wear similar clothes to what I wear. Recently, I got my own cubicle space located near the physician offices. Which means that now, I am surrounded by people in comfy shoes and stretchy pants. Do I feel out of place walking in 4-inch heels and business casual dresses? Extremely. But guess what? You dress for where you want to be, not for where you are. Sure, I could get away with throwing on oxfords and dressy-ish pants, but I'd rather be recognized for my professional and dressy attire.
Understand the Company Culture: At this company, we always have meetings. We have meetings to prep for meetings and sub-committee meetings to plan the agenda for the prep meetings. Personally, I hate meetings. However, I understand that if I need to talk to someone important, chances are they will be at the meeting. There's a 50% chance I'll catch them at their office but there's a 100% chance they'll be at the meeting. If said person only responds to emails, don't leave them a sticky note on their desk or a voicemail. Understanding how to communicate with the individuals in your workplace show that you have a greater understanding of the organization and, yes, are an adult with sound communication skills. It might not seem like a huge deal but when you're trying to coordinate company-wide events, those things are important.
Be an adult! Gone are the days of partying every single night. (Every other night should suffice by now, guys.) Coming to work with a hangover is not only unattractive, it shows everyone you work with that you're just another college kid, even if you graduated a whole 6 months ago. You don't have to watch CNN every day to stay up to date on current happenings! theSkimm is an excellent resource for getting the news. Be open-minded: if you're in a workplace where everyone is at least nine or ten years older than you, there is a huge age gap. Open your mind to understanding their viewpoints. While you might not agree wholeheartedly, you've just showed your coworkers that you can have an intelligent conversation without pouting and having a temper tantrum. That, my friends, is adult-like behavior and kudos to you.