You finished school, drudged through the application processes, nailed interviews, and have now landed the job! Congratulations! But you may be asking, “Now what?”

Listen, I feel you, and many other readers have been exactly in your shoes. You get nervous. Start to question where you sit for lunch. Do I even bring my lunch? The first day of any new job still feels like the first day of school. 

The best thing to do on your first day is to be yourself. Not nearly the original advice you were hoping for, but it is the truth. You will be working with the same people for months and hopefully years.  The sooner co-workers get to know you, the sooner you can form relationships with them. 

My first official day of work as a physician assistant, I came in with a black eye. You read that right - a black eye. The weekend before, I was playing in a softball game and somehow tripped over first base and landed awkwardly. It wasn’t even a good story, just me being clumsy! Luckily, it broke the ice and became a running joke in my clinic. My boss thought it was hilarious and we joked about how everyone should, “See the other guy.”

Have confidence in yourself. You are a child of God and are fearfully and wonderfully made (Galatians 4:7, Psalm 139:14). Not to quote Taken, but God has given you a “special set of skills” that your employer has taken note of. So show them what you got, girl!

As you navigate your new job, ask for help! I cannot stress this enough. Some of the best advice I have received is when I have asked. This has allowed me to have truly wonderful relationships with physicians and practice managers I have worked with. 

Maybe you just cannot figure out the stubborn copier. Ask someone for help; this can open the door for more conversation as well and make you feel more at ease in your job. If you feel in over your head, ask a co-worker how they best time manage their tasks. Asking for advice leads to conversations with other people making you come out of your shell, or rather cocoon, and become a social butterfly. This will in turn lead to great networking opportunities whether you were trying to accomplish this or not. 

Be like Jesus. Whether you are speaking to the CEO of your company or to the cleaning crew, treat them all with kindness (Ephesians 4:32). Honestly, this is my biggest piece of advice. Being kind to people and showing compassion will never make for a bad day.

I have listened to co-workers and prayed with them about personal issues. I have prayed and counseled patients over situations that were not even the cause of what brought them to my clinic. Yes, your career is important, but do not compromise who you are or what you believe for anything. Always, always reflect Jesus.

Work hard. God tells us many times in the Bible to work hard and diligently (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12, Proverbs 12:24, 2 Timothy 2:6). Keep a good work and life balance, but when you’re at work, put in the effort. Even if this position ends up not being the job you retire from, work hard with all your heart, as working for the Lord.  

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. ~ Col. 3:23

My career path may be quite different than yours. I work in the medical field; you may be in business or politics or teaching. I deal with the public daily; you may work at a cubicle. The best advice I can give you to thrive in your new position is to have humor, give kindness, and be like Jesus. I have tried to model this in my life, whether at work or out in the world, and it has never steered me wrong.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Whitney can be described by the opening lyrics of a few Tom Petty songs. She's a good girl who grew up in a small Indiana town who loves her mama, Jesus, and America too. She practices medicine as a physician assistant at an urgent care. Whitney is a music enthusiast and leads worship at her church. She has a heart for people, and wants to help young girls and women find their worth in Christ rather than what the world says of them. Whitney loves a good dad joke, the outdoors, spending time with family and friends, Southern manners, working on her fitness, attempting Pinterest crafts, and cheering on Indiana University basketball.