Blogs: Lee bags a graduate job

Post 3, February 2013

Lee Rosborough studied sport journalism at the University of Brighton and is now on the hunt for his dream job

'New Year, new start, new me.'

I wonder how many times people saw that Facebook and Twitter in the days leading up to New Year's Eve? Put it this way, if I got money for every time I stumbled across it I would be very well off indeed.

In fact, you were probably still seeing that same cliché a few weeks into January? I’m sure it wasn’t just me.

But in between the family time, food, drink and celebrations I thought deeply about how the upcoming year would be different for me.

Having graduated in July and having been on the job search since, I landed my first graduate job and started working for Haymarket on the 2 January. This really was a new start for me.

So here it is: a first-hand account of starting your graduate job.

Understandably, on my first day I had a mixture of emotions. I was not sure whether I was more excited, nervous or scared, but what I did know was that it was a good balance of emotions and I was relishing the fresh challenge!

I left the house in good time for my two-hour commute and arrived at the offices half an hour before I was due to begin my shift. More eager than ever I waited in reception until my new boss came down to show me to my desk.

Afterwards, I took off my coat and made myself feel slightly more at home in this mystery land. I then went on a tour of the offices - meeting what felt like everybody at the whole company.

'I'm no good with names so I am really sorry if I can't remember yours the next time I see you!' I said apologetically. But the fact is everybody I met knows how it feels to be me. 

That brings me on to my first main bit of advice - everybody has been the 'new person', and all know what you are going through, so take it in your stride.

Use your rookie status to your advantage and make as many friends as possible. After all, these are the people you will see every day of your working life.

Also, take on any job - even making the tea for everybody, at least then you can go around and try to learn everybody's names (in my case I wrote most of them down!).

Above all, be confident. You're in the big wide world now and you are by no means inferior. You aced the interview and should be proud at the fact you are now employed.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my first three weeks in my new the job. So if anybody else is preparing to be the 'newbie', follow my advice and enjoy yourself!