So, you're new to the industry and WFH... Welcome!
- Nicole Zacharko
- Mar 6, 2022
- 4 min read
You've just graduated and started to jump into the media industry, but wait, how do you balance this new dimension of working and learning a new job?
I recently got asked to participate in my college's Grad Panel Discussion and I wanted to share some of the advice given and chatted about!
I want to start by letting you know that getting a placement during these difficult times is impressive (no seriously, you should be very proud of yourself!)! The amount of learning you're about to experience is immense, and it'll be a testament to how much you've already learned in college. Whether this is an internship or you're new to the job, YOU GOT THIS!
I started my internship back in June 2020, which honestly feels like 2 months ago but also forever ago, so much has changed. I've been working for 1.5 years and have learned most of my skills via a screen. I got hired full time in September 2020 and have been on 3 different teams since, plenty of time to expand my knowledge. I truly felt honored to be part of the panel discussion and share some advice I've picked up along the way.
Here's some advice I shared with the recent grads;
3 Tips to Consider Getting a Placement
Internal growth. Not just promotion wise, but are there opportunities to learn. Lots of agencies have internal learning modules/lessons to expand skills and training.
Values/culture of the agency. When I say culture, I don't mean if there is a happy hour every 2 weeks, I mean how people talk to one another, what's the reaction when you take a sick day/wellness day etc. Are there clubs you can join?
Flexibility. You want to feel properly chill during your break time, and hey if you need to take your dog for a walk, get a snack, take a break from your screen(s), don't feel guilty about it. WFH life should be flexible, lots of things happen at home outside of work.
4 Tips to Excel in your Placement
Ask questions! Especially now, your team cannot see your face all the time and for sure cannot read your body language. If you don’t speak up it will be assumed you understand. Best to ask now, than 2 hours before a deadline.
Speak up! If you start to feel your plate is getting full, ask what's important now, what's urgent? Ask for your team to help you reprioritize (don’t feel like you need to do it all, it only stresses you out).
Be organized! You’ll have trackers, status docs, and meetings, know what's happening that day or a bigger task you need to work on that week and get started on it before.
Get good at what you're good at. I know, sounds silly - but for real, polish the skills you already have and you'll eventually have opportunities to train others and show your leadership skills. Win win if you ask me.
4 Expectations to Expect (lol)
Expect to work with a lot of math and money, budgets are everything – but it'll benefit you in the long term I guarantee it! You'll have insight supervisors/managers may not have. Understanding how budgets change and what systems you need to update to make those formal changes is crucial.
Expect abbreviations, there's a million. Okay, maybe not a million, but a ton and they all have different meanings. Media is basically it's own language, again - ASK QUESTIONS!
Expect support! You are new, you are not expected to know everything, your team is there to train and support your career!
Expect insurance and benefits and 3 weeks vacation! I never had a FT job before so I was pretty stoked I can go to the dentist and not ruin my month. Big bonus - we get extra days off whenever there is a long weekend! I know other agencies do half day Fridays.
3 Last Pieces of Advice No One Asked For
MOVE YOUR BODY. I don't care how, just find a way to not sit down all day – its too easy!! Get up and dance on your way to the kitchen, do lunges during a meeting, literally anything!
Try not to set up office space in your room! If you're able to... Try to have distance between your rest spot and your office environment, your room is a natural place for relaxing and wow that bed looks comfy... I'm extremely grateful I have another room to set up shop.
Boundaries. I'm sure you've seen this all over, but you do not have to wait for work contact mandates to come in effect for you to have boundaries with work life. Mute notifications if you have apps on your phone, do not check email etc. a big one is actually turning off your computer. You're less likely to turn it back on.
I never quite realized how much I've learned until I get the opportunity to train someone, or in this case - get the opportunity to share some experiences since I've started working from home straight out of college.
I hope these bits of advice help you! We are a new generation of employees who are the definition of taking things 'day by day' but hey, I think we're doing a pretty great job!
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