Taking on something new, different, and difficult - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Sage · 07-21-2006, 01:32 PM

Hello fellow friends of the TFP. I often post in your threads, but now I am coming to you with a situation of my own, just wanting to explain and get some feedback at this juncture in my life.

As of Wednesday, I am now a freelance web designer for a marketing and advertising consultant here in good old Asheville. As some of you may or may not know, I graduated last May with a degree in Interactive Design, which (supposedly) taught me all I needed to know about web and graphic design as well as a sprinkling of photoshop skills. I am quite happy about this new job, as I was beginning to HATE my old job, which was In-Home Healthcare.

My new boss has plenty of backlog to work on, and new jobs coming in two and three times a week, so I shall not be lacking for work. Some of these projects are quite big, as the one that I am now working on, which is taking a corporate website and completely re-structuring it. I'm looking forward to the oppurtunity to learn all that I can at this new job...

... but honestly, I TOTALLY can feel the gaps in my education. I almost freaked the crap out yesterday trying to do my last project, an easy flash animation (although PMS wasn't helping), and I feel a little... intimidated at what is expected of me in this job. It's the first time I've ever had a job that I didn't totally know enough to be the manager in ten minutes flat. I feel a bit, well...

I want to know if this is a normal feeling... does everyone have this "holy crap what have I gotten into?" feeling when they start their first "real" job? I don't think that I'm totally inept, just... going to have to spend some quality time learning all those little things that my professors neglected to teach me. I also really, seriously don't want to LOOK inept at this job, but I don't have confidence in my designs and my work to objectively edit myself... working for a guy who, in my opnion, does really really good websites also turns the pressure on. I feel like a noob... what's the best way to get over that?

ratbastid · 07-21-2006, 02:23 PM

Listen, I got a job as a web developer in 1998, having written one five-line CGI script in my life. With the Camel Book at my side, I developed my fluency in Perl and Apache and MySQL, and eventually became Executive VP of the company before spinning off my own business. If you'd asked me, at the beginning, whether that would be possible, I'd have punched you in the nose.

Stay the course. You're smart, you're interested, and you're motivated. A little butterflies-in-the-what-the-hell-am-I-oh-dear-god is normal.

Incidentally, I'm always looking for good freelance designers to work with. Are you a regular employee, or a contract worker?

Rodney · 07-21-2006, 05:00 PM

Just get past the point of thinking, "If I admit ignorance, he's going to fire me."

He hired you for a reason. Unless you lied outright about your skills -- which I doubt -- he probably thinks you have the skills he wants: which probably mainly means, "Somebody who's a hard worker, rolls with the punches, and will dry her damndest to keep up with me.'

You'll feel better about it after the first couple of weeks. And it also sounds like about the best potential for learning you could ever get in a job.

ratbastid · 07-21-2006, 05:27 PM

Oh, and I forgot to mention an old Zen saying: A hint of risk may indicate you are on the right path, not the wrong one.

newtx · 07-21-2006, 06:07 PM

I don't know squat about web designing. However, I do know from years of experience that no amount of educational training fully prepares you for what you'll run into on the job. Hang in there. With your training I am confident you will do great. I think if you dont have this "holy crap what have I gotten into?" feeling when you start you first "real" job that you just haven't been on the job long enough.

thingstodo · 07-22-2006, 06:50 AM

You have to learn new stuff in every new venture. That's why it's called a "new" venture. I've often heard a cool saying when learning something new: akward is good. It should feel akward if it's new.

Hang in there...things will settle down and you'll miss the challenge!

Sage · 07-23-2006, 07:37 PM

You guys are great... thanks for the encouragement!

I am going to start taking initiative (within reason, of course) and put my best foot and my best work forward at all times. I really needed your input to help me feel "normal" about being OMG!!

tres · 07-26-2006, 03:15 AM

There will always be something you don't know.... and there will be something you know that someone else in the office will know.. Your the new guy... you'll definetly get some slack in the begining..and if you look into the things you don't know as they come up..and don't ask the same question again and again.. you'll be fine.... Your never gonna know EVERYTHING. Back in the day, I was a Computer Tech, right out of highschool. I knew..well... almost nothing... In less than a year, I was the primary contact , and in charge of all the emergency issues with our clients.

You can totally do this...

07-21-2006, 01:32 PM	#1 (permalink)
Sage hoarding all the big girl panties since 2005 Location: North side	Taking on something new, different, and difficult Hello fellow friends of the TFP. I often post in your threads, but now I am coming to you with a situation of my own, just wanting to explain and get some feedback at this juncture in my life. As of Wednesday, I am now a freelance web designer for a marketing and advertising consultant here in good old Asheville. As some of you may or may not know, I graduated last May with a degree in Interactive Design, which (supposedly) taught me all I needed to know about web and graphic design as well as a sprinkling of photoshop skills. I am quite happy about this new job, as I was beginning to HATE my old job, which was In-Home Healthcare. My new boss has plenty of backlog to work on, and new jobs coming in two and three times a week, so I shall not be lacking for work. Some of these projects are quite big, as the one that I am now working on, which is taking a corporate website and completely re-structuring it. I'm looking forward to the oppurtunity to learn all that I can at this new job... ... but honestly, I TOTALLY can feel the gaps in my education. I almost freaked the crap out yesterday trying to do my last project, an easy flash animation (although PMS wasn't helping), and I feel a little... intimidated at what is expected of me in this job. It's the first time I've ever had a job that I didn't totally know enough to be the manager in ten minutes flat. I feel a bit, well... I want to know if this is a normal feeling... does everyone have this "holy crap what have I gotten into?" feeling when they start their first "real" job? I don't think that I'm totally inept, just... going to have to spend some quality time learning all those little things that my professors neglected to teach me. I also really, seriously don't want to LOOK inept at this job, but I don't have confidence in my designs and my work to objectively edit myself... working for a guy who, in my opnion, does really really good websites also turns the pressure on. I feel like a noob... what's the best way to get over that? __________________ Sage knows our mythic history, King Arthur's and Sir Caradoc's She answers hard acrostics, has a pretty taste for paradox She quotes in elegiacs all the crimes of Heliogabalus In conics she can floor peculiarities parabolous -C'hi

07-22-2006, 06:50 AM	#6 (permalink)
thingstodo A Storm Is Coming Location: The Great White North	You have to learn new stuff in every new venture. That's why it's called a "new" venture. I've often heard a cool saying when learning something new: akward is good. It should feel akward if it's new. Hang in there...things will settle down and you'll miss the challenge! __________________ If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves. Stangers have the best candy.

07-23-2006, 07:37 PM	#7 (permalink)
Sage hoarding all the big girl panties since 2005 Location: North side	You guys are great... thanks for the encouragement! I am going to start taking initiative (within reason, of course) and put my best foot and my best work forward at all times. I really needed your input to help me feel "normal" about being OMG!! __________________ Sage knows our mythic history, King Arthur's and Sir Caradoc's She answers hard acrostics, has a pretty taste for paradox She quotes in elegiacs all the crimes of Heliogabalus In conics she can floor peculiarities parabolous -C'hi

07-26-2006, 03:15 AM	#8 (permalink)
tres Insane Location: Long Island, NY	There will always be something you don't know.... and there will be something you know that someone else in the office will know.. Your the new guy... you'll definetly get some slack in the begining..and if you look into the things you don't know as they come up..and don't ask the same question again and again.. you'll be fine.... Your never gonna know EVERYTHING. Back in the day, I was a Computer Tech, right out of highschool. I knew..well... almost nothing... In less than a year, I was the primary contact , and in charge of all the emergency issues with our clients. You can totally do this... __________________ "Its better to be hated for who you are, then loved for what your not" --Van Zant "Tell me and I forget. Show me and I remember. Involve me and I learn."

07-21-2006, 02:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
ratbastid Darth Papa Location: Yonder	Listen, I got a job as a web developer in 1998, having written one five-line CGI script in my life. With the Camel Book at my side, I developed my fluency in Perl and Apache and MySQL, and eventually became Executive VP of the company before spinning off my own business. If you'd asked me, at the beginning, whether that would be possible, I'd have punched you in the nose. Stay the course. You're smart, you're interested, and you're motivated. A little butterflies-in-the-what-the-hell-am-I-oh-dear-god is normal. Incidentally, I'm always looking for good freelance designers to work with. Are you a regular employee, or a contract worker?

07-21-2006, 05:00 PM	#3 (permalink)
Rodney Observant Ruminant Location: Rich Wannabe Hippie Town	Just get past the point of thinking, "If I admit ignorance, he's going to fire me." He hired you for a reason. Unless you lied outright about your skills -- which I doubt -- he probably thinks you have the skills he wants: which probably mainly means, "Somebody who's a hard worker, rolls with the punches, and will dry her damndest to keep up with me.' You'll feel better about it after the first couple of weeks. And it also sounds like about the best potential for learning you could ever get in a job.

07-21-2006, 05:27 PM	#4 (permalink)
ratbastid Darth Papa Location: Yonder	Oh, and I forgot to mention an old Zen saying: A hint of risk may indicate you are on the right path, not the wrong one.

07-21-2006, 06:07 PM	#5 (permalink)
newtx Addict	I don't know squat about web designing. However, I do know from years of experience that no amount of educational training fully prepares you for what you'll run into on the job. Hang in there. With your training I am confident you will do great. I think if you dont have this "holy crap what have I gotten into?" feeling when you start you first "real" job that you just haven't been on the job long enough.