Adventures at My New Job

I started a new job today! I just finished my college program and this is my first job, so I
know I will need some time to learn the ropes and I’m quite willing to work really hard to
do this.

I was so excited to get started, but things didn’t start off well. The traffic was bad, and
when I arrived, the parking lot near the office was almost full and I thought I would be late
by the time I found a parking spot. I saw one, but just as I got to it, so did someone else. He
seemed in an awful hurry, but I was worried I’d be late for my first day, so I took the space.
The man in the other car yelled at me, but I had to get into the office ASAP, so I ignored
him.

I practically ran all the way to the office, and I got lost in the building twice. When I finally
arrived, I found out that my new supervisor was sick, and no one was sure what to do with
me or where I should go. While I waited, a few people came by to say hello, and by talking
to people and listening to conversations, I learned that this company likes to do things by
the book. Everyone was checking the policies and rules before they made decisions, or
checking with their supervisors.

Finally, the receptionist came to me and told me that the president of the company would
meet with me, but he was on a conference call at the moment. He’d meet with me as soon
as he was done.

To my surprise, when I was shown into the president’s office, I recognized him as the man
who wanted the same parking spot, and I could tell that he recognized me too! He shook
my hand and welcomed me, but he wasn’t very friendly about it. He said that he hoped
that in the future, I would leave for work sooner so I didn’t have to rush. I was so
embarrassed!

I did wonder why he was only arriving at the same time, but then I learned that he had
already been at an early morning meeting, because he had to touch base with some
important clients. They wanted to know how a project was going, and they like to meet in
person.

D. Naylor adapted by Debora da Silva; Business Applications W24B

I apologized for my behavior and told him that I had a lot of respect for this company and
wanted to learn the business from the ground up. This seemed to help his bad mood, and
he told me about the history of the company, how the company is organized, and what its
current priorities are. We definitely got off on the wrong foot, but I think we’ll get along
fine in the future (as long as I never take a parking spot from him again).

After that, I was shown to my work area and I spent the day talking to lots of other people
in my new department. Now, it’s late in the afternoon, and I’m very tired but happy. I think
I’ll call it a day, go home walk my dog, and set my alarm for just a bit earlier tomorrow
morning!

D. Naylor adapted by Debora da Silva; Business Applications W24B