Working 9 to 5: Reflections on starting a ‘grown up’ job

It’s now 6-weeks since I started at 50D. I was challenged for my inaugural Blog to reflect on what I thought my first job would be like, and what the experience has actually been.

I had an 8-month break between graduating from university and starting work. I was nervous to move onto the next phase of my life. In all honesty, I didn’t know what a ‘real’ job would entail; I had done a few work placements, but I still didn’t feel as though I had gotten a proper feel for what things would be like. During my break, my friends started their careers – many of them entering corporate spaces. This suited some of them but not others. A few found that they were not enjoying their roles and others struggled with adapting to the working culture. This made me even more nervous.

Then one day a recruitment agent called me about 50D. Now, I promise no one is forcing me to say this. Maybe it was just that this agent was really good at her job, but I had a good feeling from the start. I’d never heard of bid writing, but it sounded like a good fit for me, and her description of the company made it seem like I’d be able to adapt well to the environment. It was the first job I could see myself being good at and enjoying. It was the first job I applied for which I truly wanted, and I guess that must have come across because… here I am!

Saying that, the adjustment to the 9-5 lifestyle hasn’t always been smooth. The last time I was consistently required to wake up first thing in the morning was when I was at school (5 years ago). While university life has its many obvious plusses, I’d argue that it’s not always the most conducive to a regular routine… lectures starting at 1pm, 3-month long holidays, that sort of thing. And yes, sometimes I miss that blissful student lifestyle and I can struggle to drag myself out of bed some days… who doesn’t, I suppose?

So, is the job what I expected? Well, I feel very fortunate to be able to say that the role ticks all the boxes I had for my first job: hybrid working, elements of social value, critical thinking, and international links. There’s a balance of different tasks which creates a beautiful harmony in my working day. I have a little list in my head of the specific parts of the bidding process I want to learn more about and I’m excited to build up my skill level in all of them when the time comes.

I feel incredibly blessed though to have found a place as great as 50D to start my career. The opportunities to learn feel endless, everyone is super welcoming, and they give us extra money to spend on our wellbeing – how great is that? The working culture here is truly lovely. I never feel afraid to ask questions, speak up when I need help, or tell a dumb joke. I know that type of culture is something that the managers here work hard to maintain.

So far (!), the experience has been more than I could have hoped for.

Jeanette Chang
Consultant