10 Things About My First Job
Jarus
Jarus is the Chief Resource Officer of JarusHub
I got my employment letter early December 2006, and resumed 2nd January 2007. I thought to share, in 10 rather light points, some key things about the job.
- I got the job less than one month after writing my final paper in school. It was a pre-NYSC job in a Nigerian investment management firm in Victoria Island, Lagos, but the work was like regular post-NYSC job. See full article on how I got the job.
- I initially struggled with the fast-paced environment. The tempo was just high. Worked till 9pm most days. Got home as late as 11pm in some days. The stress was so much that I landed in the hospital on the 5th day. School was separated from workplace within a week!
- I wore same suit and trouser – only changing shirts – for the entire 2 months I spent in the company. That was the only suit I had and you must wear suit to work. I never really thought it was big deal until years later.
- The job exposed me to personalities I used to see on TV. I attended meetings that had executive directors of top companies.
- I got to see that business writing is different from school or private essay writing, both in style and register. Corporate culture also reflects on style of writing.
- It was at a time Nigerian capital market was at its peak, shortly before the 2009 burst, so I got the opportunity to give key support to project managers in top merger and acquisition and debt raising engagements. Great learning opportunity.
- Throughout my two months there (before proceeding for NYSC), I never heard anyone communicate in their local language, even informally, except when one of my bosses was talking to her Mum over the phone. It gave me the impression that Corporate Nigerians don’t speak vernacular in their offices. Wrong impression! That was the last workplace I worked where no one spoke vernacular, even informally.
- The job offered me two firsts: first time in Abuja and first time on a plane. Okay, a third one: first time going from morning to night without speaking Yoruba.
- Everything about the company was standardised, including how to answer calls. It was regimented environment that gave me the impression that that was how all companies were. Got to learn later that companies have varying degrees of flexibility and liberalism in such matters.
- On a lighter note, I enjoyed the free lunch – very rich, sumptuous menu. That was the last place I worked that had free lunch as part of the benefits. Do companies still give free lunch for employees?
Want to share your experience in your first job too? Send an email to jarushub@gmail.com
See also: School2Job Guide
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Great post Jarus, interesting to read and usually posts like this brings back memories.
keep up the good job