What A Director Of Operations At Linqia Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Digital Marketing Industry
Melanie, a Director of Operations, wishes someone had explained the "micro ecosystem" of company culture, revealing it's less "clock in, clock out" and more a community where deep personal connections impact objectivity. Exposure to varied company cultures would have better prepared Melanie for navigating this social dynamic and its impact on work.
Workplace Dynamics, Company Culture, Interpersonal Relationships, Professional Development, Community Building
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Melanie Archer
Director of Operations
Linqia
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
N/A
English, Writing & Education, English
Advertising, Communications & Marketing
Operations and Project Management
Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. Working in a company is like a micro-ecosystem with its own social structures and rules; it's not just like school or a simple clock-in/clock-out job.
2. Building deep personal connections with colleagues is inevitable, impacting objectivity at work. Navigating these relationships and coexisting productively is a key aspect of the job.
3. Company cultures vary greatly, affecting work dynamics. More exposure to different company cultures would have been beneficial in preparing for the reality of workplace interactions and navigating a team environment.
Transcript
What have you learned about this role that you wish someone had told you before you entered the industry?
I wish someone had walked me through the dynamics of working in a company. I didn't realize it's a little micro-ecosystem with its own social structures and unwritten rules.
I came into the workforce expecting it to be more like school, which it isn't. I also thought it would be more professional, like clocking in and out without much personal interaction.
This was a false expectation, as my previous work experiences involved developing personal relationships. However, my current role has highlighted how working closely with people means you can't always be objective in your work.
I wish I had understood that a work environment functions as a small community, sometimes feeling like a family. There are people you care about and people you disagree with, and you have to coexist productively.
This is a significant part of your day, as you spend many hours with the same people. I wish I had seen more examples of how company cultures manifest and interact.
This exposure would have better prepared me for how these dynamics would work for me.