You know, I had this moment of realization this morning about how good communication can totally transform our experiences in the workplace. It took me back to my early days in those internships I did in college and grad school. Man, I remember feeling so lucky just to be there, to be part of the company. But, let me tell you, I was pretty clueless about how to communicate and set expectations.
Back then, I'd just nod and say yes to everything. I was under this impression that success meant doing your job without making a fuss, without asking for anything. It felt like navigating through a maze, trying to collaborate and deal with office politics, all on my own. I was constantly stressed and scared.
And here's the kicker – I never questioned any of my bosses. If they said something, I assumed it was right, no second thoughts. Looking back, I see how suboptimal that was. I mean, how great would it have been to have clear expectations about my role, to understand when and how to communicate, when to ask questions, or to get a grip on the bigger picture of the projects I was working on? That would have given me so much more control, more agency.
I was so hyper-focused on just delivering, delivering, delivering, that I never stopped to think about the 'why' or the 'what' of it all. It's not like anyone can hand you a complete manual on a project, especially if they haven't done it themselves. Understanding the big picture, asking the right questions, knowing how and when to communicate, believing that they hired you for a reason, and, most importantly, believing in yourself – that you're worthy. That's key.
And you know what else? Realizing that your bosses are human too. They're not perfect. Not everything that goes wrong is your fault. Looking back at my younger self, in his 20s, just trying to make it through... I feel for him. He really was just flying by the seat of his pants.
Story/Visual Development Artist, USC Animation
4moHello! I am an animator applying for the Development Intern - Pitch Decks position. I was wondering how might an applicant stand out in their application for this role and what are some specific skills or experiences to highlight to catch the recruiting teams attention? Thank you so much for offering this opportunity and I cannot wait to apply!