No Longer the New Girl

I drink coffee now. It is hard to turn down free coffee when you like drinking it. I never was the type to need to have coffee in the morning. But now I am so tired and I feel I need my coffee!!!

Anyway, this past work week was an improvement. I am currently still not a full time employee and because of that it can be difficult when I want to be taken a little more seriously. It's been almost four months working here now. The holidays have come and gone and now I can feel the tension in the office of deadlines and projects needing to be completed. As a temp, I was under the impression that they were going to hire me after four months of working here. Let's be clear now that this isn't necessary true. After the four months of working as a temp, my temp agency and the company I work for agreed that if they decided to let me go BEFORE the four months were over, the company I work for would have to pay the temp agency a fee but they can keep me as a temp for as long as they want. As a temp, I don't receive any benefits. No paid holidays, no sick days, no paid time off. It's challenging. But, becoming a temp first has given me an idea of what kind of company I want to work for and gives the company an idea of my skills and abilities while at position I applied for.

To try and accelerate my chances of becoming more permanent, I decided to act proactively. In a past internship, I was given the task to sit in on every Wednesday morning meeting and record the topics and discussions from the meeting. Then, I would return to my desk, type up my notes and send the notes to everyone who attended the meeting and those who were not able to attend. This was a great way for the employees to review what was discussed and keep track of the duties that needed to be completed. I also learned more about the company this way and it was also a great way for anyone who was not able to attend to see what was discussed at that meeting. So, I decided that even though this company is much smaller, it would be a great way for any company to review meetings. I reached out to my boss with this idea. She said, "Sure we can give that a shot." A few days and meetings later, nothing happened.This was the opportunity that teachers talk to you about in school. Time to take initiative.

So a few days ago, as my boss and a few others were entering the conference room next to my cubicle, I quickly got out of my seat and walked over to my boss as she was just about to enter the conference room. I asked her if she needed someone to record the meeting. She was a little puzzled but then agreed. I sat in the meeting the entire time, not saying a word unless spoken too. I typed up my notes and sent them to my boss for editing before sending them out to everyone. She emailed me back with an edited copy and was so impressed that she wrote the words "wow" in caps-lock. She was very impressed with my note taking skills even though I am not familiar with the topic. This type of feedback gave me a little more confidence around the office. Now I know that I can ask if the bosses in the office ever need a note taker because I know that my boss, an editor, was impressed with my note taking skills. Another boss from another department mentioned my notes were informative and helpful because she was unable to attend as well so that was also encouraging. 

Today, we had a new girl come take a previous girl's position. She sits right next to me now and looks younger than me. So not only am I no longer the new girl, but I don't think I am the youngest anymore. I began to think of the future and how I may never be the youngest in the office again. I am 23 and with a new class graduating every year, even though I am young, someone will always be younger than me! That's how everyone feels isn't it?! It makes sense now. She better enjoy the baby faze while she can because I lost mine only after 4 months!! On the other end, I feel more knowledgeable because I have been with the company longer. I am more familiar with the employees and already have my way around the office. It will be really interesting now to view her perspective around the new office and relate it to how I was feeling my first few days here.

Since October, I have not been given too much work. I can feel now that there are many assignments and projects that need to be completed soon. It was easy to see there weren't any deadlines before the holidays and that is why it was difficult to find work for me. Now I feel the stress everyone is feeling for the upcoming deadlines. But it is finally nice to know what is going on as I become more and more familiar with the people and the type of work done for this company. I cannot wait for future endeavors and the ability to become permanent! Hopefully soon!! Wish me luck!

xoxxo
OneSmartLady