How important is keeping busy in an entry-level position? I love a fast paced, constantly moving, never-ending workload environment. I love being busy and knowing that the day will so filled with work that I won’t know how the clock reached 5pm when I’ve barely had time to look up. I love the responsibility of it all – feeling an integral part of the big picture because –even if the tasks are small – project completion relies on all aspects being completed.
Lately I have not been busy. There’s been no press to announce and the bulk of my large yearly project is completed. There are details to coordinate and deadlines to meet but they take up a very small part of the day leaving me with large periods of undirected time. Understanding that I need projects to keep myself sane and happy I’ve begun my own pet projects – developing our (once non-existent) social media presence, blogging, helping to restructure our website and updating our meta tags (SEO). My company allows me a great deal of freedom to develop these areas so it’s been fun exploring ways to make ourselves stronger in areas where we were recently no present.
Still, I wonder how much I need to balance this work with the small assigned tasks I’m expected to complete. Does keeping up with PR blogs and researching new social media outlets look like I’m just messing around online? Reaching out to my boss has been only moderately helpful. Instructed to enjoy the break b/c busier times would come led me to create my own projects. But at least a month later I still am dragging so what I keep wondering is, “What, exactly is expected of an entry-level PR professional with no press to occupy her time?”
Showing posts with label entry-level jobs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label entry-level jobs. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Saturday, February 9, 2008
The Privileged Generation
Out for coffee with a friend earlier this week, the subject of the new generation of workers came up. As we chatted about our post-college job search, grueling interviews, and the eventual offers, she pointed out that part of the difficulty that of finding a job stems from the fact that we are proud members of the "privileged generation." Now I've heard this arguement before: the 20-somethings of today's world want it all and want it now. We grew up being told that we could do anything we wanted -- encouraged more than criticized, we believe that with enough effort and a good education, we will rise to the top.
What our parents, teachers, mentors, and advisors forgot to tell us is that there's quite a large gap between the time we're told this and the time it proves true. They failed to mention all menial tasks and annoying grunt work we'd have to put up before we arrive. Their constant encouragement didn't include speaches about 'paying your dues' and so, my generation, "the prividledged generation' has had to learn the hard way that that if we want to be president, CEO, or own our oun business, we're going to have to put in some hard time of answering phones, taking messages, and opening mail.
You may be smart and you may have great great ambition, but (what I'm learning) is that a huge part of early years on the job is about handling the small details of the big picture. Sending out a press release? Guess who gets to manage the database of publications and reporters? Preparing a mass mailing? Guess who'll be collecting quotes from mail houses and list rental companies? Phone calls, filing, and organizing details. These are the resposibilities of an entry-level marketing professional, and it's these tasks that this 'privileged generation' has such a hard time swallowing. Filling this position, however, is as necessary a part of climbing the career latter as getting a degree.
I'll grant you that much of this is easier said than done. It takes patience and a few self-reminders to smile though the tasks, work diligiently, and stay focused on the next step. As my friend mentioned during our coffee outing, it's in our nature to be impatient and want it all now. And perhaps, this driven, ambitious attitute will be a major driving force in our future success -- determining what story we will tell when the power is (eventually) left in our hands. But first we need to get there. And right now, getting there means answering a few more phone calls and taking a few more messages.
What our parents, teachers, mentors, and advisors forgot to tell us is that there's quite a large gap between the time we're told this and the time it proves true. They failed to mention all menial tasks and annoying grunt work we'd have to put up before we arrive. Their constant encouragement didn't include speaches about 'paying your dues' and so, my generation, "the prividledged generation' has had to learn the hard way that that if we want to be president, CEO, or own our oun business, we're going to have to put in some hard time of answering phones, taking messages, and opening mail.
You may be smart and you may have great great ambition, but (what I'm learning) is that a huge part of early years on the job is about handling the small details of the big picture. Sending out a press release? Guess who gets to manage the database of publications and reporters? Preparing a mass mailing? Guess who'll be collecting quotes from mail houses and list rental companies? Phone calls, filing, and organizing details. These are the resposibilities of an entry-level marketing professional, and it's these tasks that this 'privileged generation' has such a hard time swallowing. Filling this position, however, is as necessary a part of climbing the career latter as getting a degree.
I'll grant you that much of this is easier said than done. It takes patience and a few self-reminders to smile though the tasks, work diligiently, and stay focused on the next step. As my friend mentioned during our coffee outing, it's in our nature to be impatient and want it all now. And perhaps, this driven, ambitious attitute will be a major driving force in our future success -- determining what story we will tell when the power is (eventually) left in our hands. But first we need to get there. And right now, getting there means answering a few more phone calls and taking a few more messages.
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