You’re new only once

I took one good look in the mirror. Streams of tap water were flowing down my cheeks. I quickly reached for the napkin and wiped my face.  My tie was properly adjusted ; hair was neatly combed. Shirt was straightened out.

Gotta make that first good impression

Here I was, minutes away from being assigned my first project. I had opted to take a different path. Most of my business-educated degree colleagues had chosen the pre-sales route. In some ways, I chose the path less traveled.

And no it wasn’t that I was trying to prove something to the others. I had always had an inkling for computers and IT, even though I flunked my C++ class projects, and loathed studying programming in college.  Back at home, I fondly known as the IT expert, often teaching my old man how to scan, or writing down a simple step-by-step for Mum on how to use her yahoo email account.  Computer crashes at home were CAUSED by me and fixed by me.  Now, fresh out of university, I would once again get the opportunity to work with IT again, however this time around it would be specific, it would be networking systems.

I still remember the words of my boss towards the end of our meeting

“Remember, you’re new only once”

I didn’t know whether it sounded like an encouraging advise or a caveat at that time, but whatever it is, it has stayed on my mind for quite sometime. 

Two and a half years later, and I am still thinking about those words, especially in my new job. Once again, I find myself in a new unfamiliar environment and the words of my ex-boss echoes in my mind. Perhaps now, more so as a caveat rather than advise.

While I’m new, I don’t consider myself a greenhorn anymore. In fact, when one of my supervisors heard that I was an experienced hire, she immediately expected more from me, and I gotta admit, that did put some pressure on me, but I guess it was understandable to some degree. I can no longer act as a  noob anymore; at least not for certain things. More is anticipated and expected on me, I am expected to settle in much faster, to get into motion quickly and start delivering.

The pressure is there, and the amount of time I am given to settle down is much less compared to a greenhorn.  As a new greenhorn 2 years ago in Big Blue,  I could afford to make mistakes and learn from them. I could ask any work-related questions regardless whether it was a silly one. I could pace my learning progress.  In my new place, I can’t afford to make mistakes. My learning has to be accelerated and questions need to be asked tactfully, even though I’m new.

While I am still considered new at my new place, the environment and working factors have definitely changed.  I guess in some ways you are indeed ONLY considered new ONCE.