Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?
This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.
Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.
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Notes -
It depends on the company, really. When I worked in the pharmaceutical industry, the answer was "be somebody's nephew" or "be a hot co-ed".
If you can't manage that, my best advice is to "show leadership". Find projects that might improve revenue or reduce costs, find out why they haven't been done yet, and write up a proposal to your internal mentor if the reasons don't torpedo any solution you might have.
These are all things that generalize to every industry and typically fall under the rubric of “networking.” One of the most important lessons I give to those who ask me around the time they hit the labor force is “work has the exact same politics as high school.” You’ve got your kiss asses. You’ve got your dick riders. You’ve got the lazy people. And then you’ve got those who actually do the work. Figuring out a way to ingratiate yourself with whatever the in-group is, is part of the game you play in any workplace situation, and it requires you to be observant.
Be careful when it comes to being indispensable. People will inevitably take the work you do for granted in you let them and if you draw attention to yourself and become pigeonholed as “that guy,” you can turn the things that make you into a good worker into a liability that gets you into trouble.
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