One of the most challenging aspects of my career was actually acclimating to an “American” workspace. For context, I’m an American, but I graduated college and almost immediately left the country to pursue my career.
I was able to experience my first 10 years of my “adult life” abroad and ended up struggling to learn who I was in the international setting. Not only that, it was so wildly different than what I imagined it to be and struggled coming to terms with what their work ethics and processes were. But I “adjusted” quickly (mentally struggled) and ended up adapting most of those practices for every job I had abroad.
Coming back to America, I actually completely had no idea what to do. I wasn’t prepared for how corporate functioned or how “teamwork” became “family”. I felt like “I’m not welcome” or that I am not “American” enough. I dunno how to explain it, but it’s been a challenge navigating.
Great writing!
One of the most challenging aspects of my career was actually acclimating to an “American” workspace. For context, I’m an American, but I graduated college and almost immediately left the country to pursue my career.
I was able to experience my first 10 years of my “adult life” abroad and ended up struggling to learn who I was in the international setting. Not only that, it was so wildly different than what I imagined it to be and struggled coming to terms with what their work ethics and processes were. But I “adjusted” quickly (mentally struggled) and ended up adapting most of those practices for every job I had abroad.
Coming back to America, I actually completely had no idea what to do. I wasn’t prepared for how corporate functioned or how “teamwork” became “family”. I felt like “I’m not welcome” or that I am not “American” enough. I dunno how to explain it, but it’s been a challenge navigating.