I have always been huge on first impressions. I like to use the analogy of a book, in which the cover is the first impression to any prospective reader. The title, the cover art and the color pallet that are used become crucial in engaging readers. While the content is crucial, that is not what usually matters initially. When you think about any film or novel or book that were highly recommended to you by others, all that you got was the title and a snip it of what they perceived it to be about. Hence, this is why first impressions are so critical to me. Like a book review the title tells you a decent amount and the summary helps you decide whether or not you will pick up a copy.
Sunday night and Monday morning were a series of pacing back and forth, ironing and neurotically getting every detail of my outfit prepared for my first day at Purple PR. My mind raced through the abyss of the unknowns. What was this place? Who were these people? What would I be doing? While I had a decent amount of that info in my preparatory packets and sheets, this was not my first rodeo.
As expected upon arrival, the creations of my mind as to what it would be were quickly replaced by reality. I had never worked in fashion, however, I was still abel to concoct an idea of what the work I would be doing would be like. Walking in I had the experience, of what I am now calling the "overly zealous uni student syndrome." I walked in expecting to get the keys to the company jet and the next stop was the moon. However, after the first couple days I realized that as an intern I had to find my way to the top and that looked like it might start off with vacuuming the jet before they would ask me if I wanted the steak or the lobster.
While my work week is quite short I used the second half to get off my horse and begin to gain a balcony perspective of the work I was doing and my role. Right off the bat I had been conflating self and role from the moment that I walked in. While I am big on first impressions, I realized that I was probably the only one that gave them nearly that much thought. Maybe it was years of acting lessons or my eastern european grandiose tendencies. What ever the case might have been, the red carpet was rolled up and so were my sleeves.
As I began to find my way and learn the ropes I had another major realization. The comfortable days of being in a small private university were over. If there is an opportunity related to my professional or personal development, I am going to have to seek it out or make it happen for myself. This is way out of my comfort zone, but the days of phoning mum to take care if things, I am afraid are long over.
As far as my first week is concerned the first impressions have been over whelming and before I begin to list my impression, I want to make sure that they are not just cultural mis interpretations.