It’s your first day of your first job after graduating college, and you have no idea what to expect. Does everyone eat lunch together at the same time? Do I even get a lunch break? What do we talk about at staff meetings? How do I access my email? Hundreds of questions are generated by a young professional on the first day of the start of his career, but most are too timid to ask. Much like the first day of high school, a recent graduate stepping into the work force for the first time is trying simply to learn the culture of the workspace and fit in. Many of us forget those feelings as we grow comfortable in our careers, but it is important to remember them as a new, young, and growing professional enters our offices for the first time. In this session, learn from a young professional who has been in the field for less than two years as she explains the support she received from co-workers, and the best way to help the young professionals in your office reach their full potential.

1. @jackievetrano
#noobknowledge
From Noob to Know it All:
Helping Young Professionals Grow
Jackie Vetrano
@jackievetrano
Customer Success Manager, Merit Pages
#noobknowledge
#hewebNY

2. @jackievetrano
#noobknowledge
Disclaimers and Assumptions
• There are many different types of young professionals, some you
may find in your office, and some you may never meet
• Every young professional has a different goal in life, and purpose
for being in their current position
• This presentation is largely based on my life and experiences

3. @jackievetrano
#noobknowledge
Hi, I’m Jackie.
• Customer Success Manager at Merit Pages
• Web/Social Media Coordinator at Genesee Community College
• Blogger
• Editor with Link
• Runner
• Co-Host of Higher Ed Social Podcast
• Cat lover

4. @jackievetrano
#noobknowledge
SUNY Geneseo, class of 2013
• Hall Council President
• Teaching Assistant
• Dining Hall Worker
• College Union Marketing Intern
• National Residence Hall Honorary
Before all that...
• Alpha Phi Omega
• Phi Eta Lambda
• Resident Assistant
• Web/Social Media Intern
• Communication, Graphic Design,
& Computer Science

5. @jackievetrano
#noobknowledge
What Else was i doing?
• Eating pre-made food and living on campus
• Always around my friends
• “Away” from my family
• Living in the college “bubble”

6. @jackievetrano
#noobknowledge
My Priorities, Senior Year:
• Get a job
• Get a job
• Get a job
• Get a job
• Get a job
• Get a job
• Get a job
• Get a job
• Get a job
• Get a job

7. @jackievetrano
#noobknowledge
Why Do you Care?
• Communication stems from understanding
• Trust is built by communication and disclosure
• We work best with the people that we trust

8. @jackievetrano
#noobknowledge
So, How Did I Get Here?

9. @jackievetrano
#noobknowledge
Setting the Mood
• Senior year is the year of uncertainty and selfies, holding on to
those final moments.
• What’s everyone else doing?

10. @jackievetrano
#noobknowledge
The Path to Greatness
• “Work experience” in the form of an internship
• Real world experience, but we’re the intern.
• Some casual, some work from home, some in the middle

11. @jackievetrano
#noobknowledge
Supporting your interns
• “Is this what I want to do?”
• Consider their tasks
• Check in

12. @jackievetrano
#noobknowledge
My First Job

13. @jackievetrano
#noobknowledge
My First Week
• Uncomfortable
• Learning organizational chart
• Still not sure of my responsibilities

14. @jackievetrano
#noobknowledge
What Is My Job?
“Afterjustabouttwomonthsworkingthejob,
myresponsibilitiesarestilldrasticallydifferent
than my jobdescriptionandtheexpectationsI
hadwhenI walked inthedoorondayone.”

15. @jackievetrano
#noobknowledge
Boundaries
• “My” job and “their” job
• Direct communication is key
• We don’t know what we don’t know

16. @jackievetrano
#noobknowledge
• The energy of a college student
• Asks “but why?”
• Challenges “the way it’s always been done”
• Loudly offer our opinion
• Ultimately, forgetting to listen
Take it down a notch

17. @jackievetrano
#noobknowledge
• Find a Focus
• Assign tasks
• Lessons in “difficult people to work with”
• New and excited does not mean difficult.
Take it down a notch

18. @jackievetrano
#noobknowledge
Culture shock
• Learning the culture and history is key
• The awkward questions
• Where can I store my lunch?
• Where’s the closest bathroom?
• What’s the deal with the gym on campus?
• Who will sit with me at lunch?
• Where can I park my car?
• How do I listen to a voicemail?

19. @jackievetrano
#noobknowledge
Getting comfortable
• Continuing the support, a few months later
• We’re going to learn. The first year is all about learning.
• Continue to look out for our energy, but use it effectively
• Be honest and direct
• Challenge the system with us

20. @jackievetrano
#noobknowledge
Communicating 101

21. @jackievetrano
#noobknowledge
Orientation
• Exchange very little amounts of information
• Very cautious with interactions

22. @jackievetrano
#noobknowledge
Exploratory
• Somewhat more friendly
• Relaxed communication style

23. @jackievetrano
#noobknowledge
• High amount of open communication between individuals
• Typically consist of close friends or even romantic partners
Affective Exchange

24. @jackievetrano
#noobknowledge
• Continued expressions of open and personal types of interaction
• Building of trust and positive work relationship
Stable Stage

25. @jackievetrano
#noobknowledge
Takeaways
• Effective communication comes from understanding
• Mentally, and past experiences
• These ideas can be applied to everyone in our department, and
across campus, not only young professionals
• All communication happens in four steps