Where does the time go? It seems like just yesterday I sat down to write a blog post about being offered a summer internship. That was over 2 months ago, and here I sit almost half way done, and no blog to show for it. (Well, I did write one for a MBS blogging competition. I didn't like it, as I felt like I was writing a report, not telling the story of what I am experiencing. None the less, I won a gift card as a result (That was just a humblebrag...). That was due more to the fact I was the only one that entered on time. Even still, I'll take it.)
I assuming the only reason you are reading is because you are interested in hearing how things are going that, or you are just really bored and are trying to pass the time. Either way, I thank you.
After a great trip home to see the fiance and the family, I was ready to get started on my internship. It had been 10 months since I worked in an office. 10 months since I had to regularly dress in work clothes, and 10 months since I had to wake up early in the morning 5 days a week (I am proud to say I have not been late for work a single day this summer. Not starting work at 6:30 really helps.) So I showed up the 1st day, rang the bell to get buzzed in, and I sat down and waited for my boss to show me my desk. 30 minutes later, I decided to e-mail her to make sure she got the message from the stranger on the other side of the buzzer. She hadn't. Interesting way to get started. From there I got my desk, got set up on my computer, learned how to call IT to get my password unlocked, and waited. Thankfully, I had a bunch of meetings scheduled to learn about things based on my project. Up first was with the boss, going over the 12 week project plan of what I would be doing. They are looking for a very specific outcome, so the structure was put into place. The good thing is since I didn't know what I was doing, I had an outline to follow. The bad thing you may ask? Since I had no idea what I was doing I had no idea on how to follow!
In retrospect, I see a huge disconnect in this plan. By being so involved in the planning, everything made perfect sense. Of course, I was eager to get to work and impress, so I tried to be smart and understand it all. And I did, well, at least what was on paper. But I forgot my experiences back in my sales days - it isn't what they tell you, it is what they don't tell you. What are the hidden needs, either known or unknown.
As I got into the project, I thought I knew was going on, but I didn't. Thankfully, I have been having weekly meetings with my boss, and at each of those meetings, my understand has changed (and increased.) Instead of trying to figure out what to do, I actually feel like I am progressing. I guess that is natural though, any time you start a new job, there is a learning process.
Besides the lack of training, I have been dealing with one other major challenge. Back at Jackson, I was paid to talk to people. I was on the phone averaging 4 hours a day. I was working in a small team, and with a larger team. I was training people, answering questions, and just talking to my neighbors. It was an energetic work environment. At Hilti? Well, I sit next to other people....
The project itself is massively different than anything I have ever done before. The structure of the company as well. I love working in teams, with other people. The human element drives me, getting energy off other people (trying only to absorb the positive!) At Hilti (or at least, as I should preface, in the area of Marketing i am working in), the jobs are very defined. One product manager has one defined area and task. They might be grouped in a team, but they don't work in a team. They put together PowerPoints, training schedules, marketing material, etc. And I am doing the same thing. I have my defined project. I am the one working on it. Sometimes I ask for help, but try not to disturb to many people for to long. It is not a bad work situation, just not the one for me.
At the end of the day, I am enjoying my internship. These challenges are new ones that I haven't had to face in the past. I had people to train me at Jackson, rather than training myself. I had a group of people to work with, team discussions and meetings (as much as we bitched about the team meetings, turns out I like them a bit more than I led on to!) The new environment, the new working conditions are helping me learn. They say you learn more when you are faced with challenges, outside your comfort zone. It took me the first 3 weeks of my internship to realize this (those were a long three weeks!) but I have now. I am getting an amazing experience to prepare me for my next stage of my career. There is a lot of carry over skills to consulting - jumping on a project with no knowledge of what is behind it and juggling several different stake holders. Would I stay at Hilti long term? Maybe not. But am I wasting my time and regretting working for them? Absolutely not. Let's just hope I can say the same thing in 7 more weeks.
Note: I have talked about a lot of the challenges and things I don't like at Hitli, mainly as a part of the understanding process I need to go through to make the most out of my internship. This is not meant to be a blog bitching about it, but just talking about how I feel about these challenges.
As always, for anyone that has made it this far, thanks for the read, and feel free to share thoughts, comments, etc.
