My 1st Career Experience

RUDE AWAKENING: Workplace Politics & Rising Above the nonsense

After I graduated from college it took me a long time to get my first full time (career) job. I’ll be honest it took me about a year to get a job. I graduated on December 24, 2014 and the first day of the rest of my life in the workforce started on December 5, 2015. I’ll say that it was not what I expected at all. Boy, did I get a crash course in office politics and the unhealthy passive aggressive culture that exist in most office environments. I’ll be honest I thought I was going to enter a welcoming and supportive environment like the majority of my college years and internships; but, a career/job is very different because you're not a student anymore but a working adult which encompasses a whole lot of different responsibilities and etiquette.

Maneuvering myself in these spaces became an uncomfortable art form and a mental battlefield of critiques. I was always used to very direct communication and tackling issues head-on but as a Black woman navigating a very predominately white work space. It leaves you self conscious about being perceived as an angry Black woman when addressing issues in the workplace. I learned that I had to be savvy if I wanted to survive and thrive. Also, it was hard for me because I was only 23 years old. I measured my professional confidence off of the approval or praise of my superiors, which was very few and far between in the workplace. I’ll admit that was very naive of me to do so but it definitely took a heavy blow to my self esteem and it made me miserable among other disparaging factors.

While working during my college undergraduate years, I encountered supervisors and administrators who were servant leaders or had a coaching leadership style that invested in their team and developed their potential and skills. But in this fast paced work environment, talent development and training is set aside and hard multiple deadlines and pumping out results are more important, which can lead to more stress and burn out. One of the main things that I’ve learned is to remain confident in your growth and to stick to your ethics & morals. My professional self-esteem did take a nosedive but in the end, the turbulent start I had in the workforce helped me recognize unhealthy behaviors that happen in the workplace. I am now prepared to stand my ground and tackle any issues head on in an effective way.

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OVERCOMING IMPOSTER SYNDROME: A Black Professional Women Mentor’s Impact

I remember my first entry level job. I just graduated with my Bachelor’s degree and started working at an economic development agency. I was the youngest staff member and my 7 coworkers at the time ages ranged from the 60s to mid-late 20s. I started my time at this agency as an AmeriCorps/Public Ally and was hired full-time to remain in my role with full employee benefits and pay. But it took awhile for me to stop second guessing my knowledge and skill sets.

I was the only social worker employed by the agency and was brought on to implement and administer a large city-wide grant program. Man, I was excited and terrified. In staff meetings, I remained silent and I was awkwardly quiet the first 3 months of an 11 month AmeriCorp internship. My supervisor really helped me get out of myself. During my 3 month evaluation, she spoke straight to me, Black woman to Black woman, and said, “You are gifted Kim. You have great ideas. The company would benefit greatly from your voice. Speak up more and don’t be afraid of making mistakes. That’s what the team and I is for.”

After my 3 month performance evaluation, I worked daily to lift myself out of the shadow of what I thought were my limitations. I started speaking up more and my natural agency began to take fold. My supervisor, Latoya James, gave me the space to take ownership over my work and push beyond what could be written on paper. Yes, it was a job but my creativity flourished while in it. I was able to start initiatives that would continue even beyond my time at the agency. And that is something I fondly look back on and am extremely proud of.

I thoroughly enjoyed the 2 years I worked at this agency because Latoya James’ management style was hands off and focused on my personal growth. I am so grateful for my first real world job. If it wasn’t for graduate school, I may have remained at the agency and progressed in leadership because the culture of the agency was legacy minded. As a Black woman in the workforce, I now strive to be like Latoya: supportive, understanding and cheerleader to those who are young, gifted and Black.

P.S. Latoya James, thank you for being such a positive influence in my professional life. You are proof that there are Black women who are supporters of other Black women.

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