Job Searching: where the term “Entry Level” doesn’t exist and college classes don’t matter.
This was how I felt when job searching before I graduated. How could I find a job I was qualified for, enjoyed doing, and found challenging? To be honest, I didn’t think it was possible until discovering Orr Fellowship.
Embracing the unknown of Orr Fellowship was the best decision I could have made. Orr Fellowship offers a full-time salaried job at a high-growth company in Indianapolis with personal and professional growth opportunities. That immediately checked a lot of boxes on my “Dream Job checklist.” Once Onebridge took a chance on me, I realized how lucky I was to land a job which challenges me and surrounds me with the best people.
Navigating the “real world” after college isn’t the easiest. Here are a few tips, tricks, and insights I have learned in my first year at Onebridge:
1. Learn as much as possible.
Being the least experienced in the room can be intimidating. However, it means you have infinite opportunities to learn and grow from those around you. When I first started at Onebridge, I knew little to nothing about the IT Consulting and Staffing industry. I found three ways to successfully understand, or at least partly understand, the industry: research, ask questions, and network within the organization.
Research: The number of things you can learn from Google or YouTube in the 21st Century is astounding. In my interview, I said I wanted to learn Tableau or some data visualization tool. The people at Onebridge were excited to hear that because we are a data-driven company but, in the real world, no one will stand over your shoulder and tell you how to do everything. Initiative is important. Take initiative to learn as much as possible. Research a certain topic to learn as much as you possibly can. I found other employees respect those who put in effort to find the answer themselves before asking questions.
Ask questions: There are going to be times where you have to ask questions. I remember attending meetings during my first couple of months at Onebridge where I didn’t understand anything that was happening. By asking questions, I was able to better understand the industry and our business model. With this knowledge, I could ask more intriguing questions that dug deeper into why certain things were happening. As a new employee, especially right out of college, it is important to ask questions about processes. I found that by questioning processes, I was able to unfold inefficiencies and improve the way we do business.
Network within the organization: You hear this all the time, but networking is so important. If you’re like me, you picture a cocktail style event where you’re forced to make small talk with complete strangers, and you cringe. We forget about the power of networking within our own organizations. This can be key for younger, less experienced employees. At Onebridge, I have been able to gain wisdom from the senior level employees that I interact with every day.
Not only have I networked with leaders and senior members to learn more about the company and business, but I have also greatly enhanced my technical capabilities by networking and learning from many technical members in the organization.
This speaks to the great employees we have at Onebridge as well as the culture we instill. No one is too big or too important to help others.
2. Culture fit is important.
Culture is the character and personality of the company. Individuals who express congruent characteristics and personalities as the company are engaged, happier, and outperform others. The culture in corporate banking and tech are very different. While there is nothing wrong with either one, I think it’s important to find the right culture for your personality. While I couldn’t imagine wearing a suit every day, I am sure there are people out there appalled that Onebridge has a beer fridge in our break room.
For your organization to work collaboratively, everyone must connect with the culture. I appreciate that I can play in a Euchre tournament on a Friday afternoon because my manager trusts that I’ll get my work done. I am given autonomy to take ownership of projects, run with new ideas, or question inefficient processes. Without a culture that cultivates this activity, I wouldn’t be able to contribute and feel valuable to this organization.
3. Go the extra mile. Actually – go an extra two miles.
I cannot believe the amount of gratitude I have gotten by doing a simple task. If you can take the time to efficiently get a request done for someone, they will really appreciate it. This has helped me multiple times at Onebridge. If you’re willing to help someone out, they will do the same for you. As a young employee, this is crucial. I have been able to use my skills (or Googling skills) to help someone out and, in return, they will take time out of their busy schedule to help me or loop me into their next project so I can learn even more.
4. Embrace ambiguity.
Starting at a new job, especially with Orr Fellowship, you have no clue what your position will entail. This is something I have embraced in the past year. Because my job responsibilities are not written in detail, this has given me the flexibility to take on unique projects and be involved in more than one department. While this ambiguity can cause you to get lost in the shuffle or confused on what you “should” be doing, I think this is a great opportunity to take advantage of new opportunities and to get exposure to different departments.
With ambiguity comes freedom. I am not given a list of step-by-step directions or list of tasks in order of importance. This enables me to learn the art of prioritization and completing tasks to bring the most value to the company in the most efficient process.
Had I been too worried about the ambiguity of not knowing where I would work or what I would be doing, I would not have ended up at Onebridge. Getting out of my comfort zone, exploring new industries, and embracing ambiguity have been great for my personal and professional growth. I’ve been given incredible opportunities to take ownership, be innovative, and I am encouraged to continue learning. If you’re looking for a job right now, don’t be afraid to try something new. Be confident and work hard. It could be the best decision you ever make.
