As I reflect on my first year working full time as a geospatial analyst, I realized I have learned far more than I thought I would, and in many unexpected ways. Here are five lessons that have had the biggest impact on my transition from college to the workforce so far:
1. Networking is Challenging, but Necessary
Building professional connections is vital for career growth, but networking with industry peers can feel intimidating as a recent graduate. Early on, I received the advice to just try to meet two new people at a given event. Having an attainable goal was a helpful tracking metric for me instead of just needing to “network” as a concept. Additionally, finding a professional group that aligned with my interests made a significant impact. For me, attending events for the Esri Young Professionals Network (YPN) chapter in my area was a great way to meet others in a similar career stage and have conversations about similar interests. I have found that putting yourself out there and meeting new people builds your confidence, and each time you do it, it gets easier.
2. Everyone Experiences Imposter Syndrome Sometimes
Transitioning from college to working full time can come with times of self-doubt. It is easy to feel imposter syndrome. With each new experience, like meeting a client, visiting a project site, leading a meeting, or presenting project results to an external partner, I often battled this feeling that I wasn’t qualified enough. In reality, I realized it’s not uncommon for seasoned professionals to get nervous doing some of these tasks. I am also grateful to work with colleagues that I can be open with in conversations about these feelings, and for them to reciprocate and share their experiences and perspectives as well. At the end of the day, you have to start somewhere and believe in your own ideas. Bringing together different viewpoints and backgrounds often leads to stronger ideas, greater project outcomes, and better results for our clients.
Claire Kolman giving an in-person training on data collection/analysis tools to staff at the City of Hyattsville.
3. Time is Money
If I learned nothing else in my first year, I learned this: time truly is money. In college, I could spend hours refining my projects. Additional hours of work were often celebrated as being dedicated to your studies. The professional world operates differently. In an oversimplification of consulting, a client allocates a fixed amount of money for a project, which directly correlates with the time it should take to complete the project. Efficiency and prioritization is important in delivering tasks to meet the project scope and bring the greatest value to a client. A key part of growth is learning to recognize your own progress and sometimes changing your outlook brings a new perspective.
4. Investing Time in Professional Relationships Brings Its Own Rewards
Small informal conversations with colleagues may seem like a small thing, but I’ve found it really has made a difference in my professional life. Building relationships with colleagues makes the day more enjoyable and it enhances collaboration on projects. Not only am I more comfortable reaching out for support, it’s also helped our group increase productivity as we learn each other’s strengths and can better align tasks to our individual skill sets. I’m grateful to be part of a team that is supportive, collaborative, and always willing to help one another succeed.
From our Fairfax, Virginia, office, Jennifer Lees, Claire Kolman, and Marisa Smedsrud attended Dewberry’s Washington National’s baseball night outing.
5. It’s Okay to Not Know Everything
Perhaps the most reassuring lesson I’ve learned is that it’s okay to not know all the answers. My journey working in the industry for the past year has far surpassed what I learned in four years of college. The most important thing I learned in school was learning how to learn. I have found that being curious is one of the best skills for growing your knowledge. It’s impossible to know everything about everything. With every new technology, tool, or challenge, we must continue to adapt and develop a continuous learning mindset. One thing I love about my team is there is always someone willing to help and support something I may be working on.
A year into my career, I still have plenty to learn but I have realized success isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about being willing to learn, building meaningful relationships, and investing your time in opportunities to support your growth professionally and personally.