Monday, November 24, 2008

Training the Newbie

I spent the majority of last week making a to-do list for training the new "me". Fine, ok, I spent about half a day making the list and most of the rest of the time reading this, and this, and this (what!? I like reading blogs so sue me). 

So today was the newbie's first day. And what a day it was.

First of all, that document I made for the newbie's training was 5 pages long. I am unfortunately not exaggerating. It is only Monday and we have just gotten onto page 2. Which made me realize that I didn't think I did much at my company until I made this training sheet. Events all year long, numerous newsletters, agendas, scheduling meetings, answering phones, not to mention the other 400 things I do. Whew. A mouthful. I mean really, how did I manage to do all that and be on Gchat all day? And read blogs? And be addicted to Perez? Yea, I don't get it either.

The amount I manage to get done is apparently overwhelming. And I could see that in the newbie's face as 6 o'clock rolled around and we were still focusing on how to throw an office party. I guess I'm really making sure she knows everything. It's all in the details and unfortunately for me most of those details are up in my brain. And I really wish that we could take my brain and filter all those minute details into her brain. Don't you just wish life was that easy? 

This training day not only made me realize that I had a lot of work to do on a daily basis, but it also got me worried. In just a week I will be starting my new job in Chicago. And I think it has finally hit me. I'm leaving. I'm outta here. See ya! 

And I'm scared. In a few days, I will be the newbie in a new town, in a new city, in a new job with new responsibilities. I'll be learning the ropes from a girl who knows it all. I will be devoid of knowledge and I won't have any work friends. It's scary! 

But mixed in somewhere with all those butterflies is the excitement. I'm so ready to be the newbie. 

9 comments:

Dre said...

Congrats Working Girl! It's going to be great! I love me some Chi-town gossip!

Anonymous said...

That is really exciting! Newness is always exhilirating. I know how you feel....after 10+ years out of school.....I'm going back in January! Now, I think I have it worse....a 30-something year old mixing w/teenagers! Yeah, definitely harder on me.
Well, GOOD LUCK!

Emily said...

God, I love that liberating feeling when you leave a job and can FORGET all those tiny details and you haven't had to fill your head with the new ones yet.

Anonymous said...

when you say you've been training the "new me", it reminds me of The Devil Wears Prada - how Emily talks about Andrea.

<3 J. said...

I'm so excited for you!!!!

And definitely can't wait to hear all the crazy/fun/scary exciting times that are ahead =]

Dolce said...

Congrats on the new job! It's always nerve racking starting a new job --believe me, I've had 4 professional jobs in the last 5.5 years.

Chicago is one of my favorite cities in the US. I know you'll love it!

hoppster said...

being the 'new girl' is scary. but just remember that you do have previous work experience. and you can and should pull from that experience at your new position. there's a reason they hired you, because you know things that they want.

so it's scary...but its not impossible. i still feel like the new girl sometimes and i've been here six months...

Laura said...

yay new jobs are awesome! have fun

E said...

Good luck!! You will do fine :)