As an intern or new employee, you want to make a positive impression. You’re bubbling with new ideas and can’t wait to share them. Some employers will appreciate your enthusiasm and view you favourably for your sense of initiative and contribution. But others, as I learnt a few months ago, don’t appreciate a newcomber offering suggestions as they can feel offended – interpreting your new ideas as an insult that they’re not doing their job properly.
I had always believed eagerness made for an attractive employee, and I still do, however my confidence took a little bit of a hit that day. Therefore when I started thinking about my internship I was nervous and pondered whether I should just keep my ideas to myself at first. Luckily, the incident with the other employer was an isolated case!
The team at my internship couldn’t be more open to fresh ideas, where conversations are treated as brainstorms. Even if they don’t come to fruition, no idea is too crazy to mention.
I guess I’ve learnt to tread just a little carefully when starting at a new workplace; to read the situation and don’t overstep my mark. Often organisations will have practices in place for a reason and a young graduate coming in trying to change things would not be well received. Other companies, welcome a shake up of fresh initiatives.
My internship has taught me that I definitely know I want to work for a company that encourages new ideas.
