School Didn't Prepare You for That!

school didn't prepare you for that...

8/16/2018

With all the effort you put in during your college years, it can be frustrating when you get to your first job and find yourself less prepared than expected.

At no other time in your life will you learn so much information as when you're in college, but the majority of it is content knowledge, not interpersonal skills. If you've developed keen critical thinking and big concept mapping skills, like when studying for big exams, those will transfer well to the workplace. But some of the other challenges won't be overcome as easily.

As you jump into your first job after graduation, you might find yourself feeling unprepared. These three challenges stem from a differences in your schedule, your work responsibilities, and your peers.

Work Challenges that School Doesn't Prepare You For

Schedule

Shifting from a flexible class-based schedule to a 9 to 5 work day can be a big shock. One of the best ways to prepare is to acknowledge the changes, think about how you can adapt successfully, and put some strategies into place to do so. Whether you're planning ahead to bring your lunch (no more dining hall!) or managing your own time during the long day, there are steps you can take for a smoother transition.

If you've chosen a medical profession, it's not unusual for shifts to span longer hours, or over night. During your shadowing experiences in medical school you'll get a taste of these hours, but not until that first residency sprint will you feel the brunt of it. Remember to take care of yourself, because you're no good to your patients if you're no good to yourself.

Work Responsibilities

If you're lucky enough to land a job somewhere you've already interned, you may feel pretty confident in your ability to meet your boss's expectations. But no matter where you work, there is a learning curve to get to know the office - even basic things like their computer system and IT support, printers and copiers, and (hopefully not) fax machines. With teleconferencing becoming more and more common these days, you may be expected to navigate these programs seamlessly to put on a good face for clients.

Pay attention in your first few days, make notes you can reference later, and ask questions or for repetition if you don't understand. Find out where you can go if you have additional questions.

If you're in the medical field, whether a doctor, nurse, or technician, you may find that their equipment differs substantially from what you're used to, or it just completely new. Learning how to use the scheduling systems, electronic health records, or certain equipment that you weren't trained on, like GE C-arms, it can throw you for a loop. Just remember that everyone was a newbie at some point, so ask for help and get it right - don't sweep your mistakes under the rug.

Colleagues

Relationships with colleagues in the workplace is different than those in the classroom. You may struggle to make meaningful connections in your first few weeks, but with persistence you'll find it's worth it. Make the time for work events, even if you're feeling exhausted from the day. Attending these social events outside of work give you the opportunity to connect with colleagues in a way that you can't during the 9 to 5 grind.

What challenges did you have when you first started work? Leave a comment!