New, but Not.

I find myself having to strike a strange balance at this new job. I have 13 years of experience opening drawbridges, so as they say, this ain’t my first rodeo. But on the other hand there are subtle differences in policies and procedures at this new place, so there’s definitely plenty to learn. Of course…

I find myself having to strike a strange balance at this new job. I have 13 years of experience opening drawbridges, so as they say, this ain’t my first rodeo. But on the other hand there are subtle differences in policies and procedures at this new place, so there’s definitely plenty to learn. Of course I have every intention of doing things their way.

I don’t want to come off as arrogant. I don’t want to appear to be a know it all. But I’m also no greenhorn. I am completely familiar with a lot of what I’ll be doing.

It’s a weird feeling, trying to be humble and knowledgeable at the same time. I can tell that when I ask questions, they’re surprised that I know enough to ask them. But at the same time, I sometimes feel like I’ve been given a child’s toy to assemble, and all the instructions are in Japanese. There’s also the fear that they’ll assume I know something that I don’t, and that could cause an issue, too.

And then there’s the gender thing. Hard to be taken seriously as a female bridge operator. But I’ve proven myself before. I guess I’ll have to do so again. Annoying to have to start from scratch after all these years, but in fairness, as far as these people are concerned I just hatched from the egg yesterday.

Obviously I’m not the first person in the world who has had to walk this type of tight rope, but it’s a strange feeling indeed. Wish me luck!

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[Image credit: thebettermom.com]

11 responses to “New, but Not.”

  1. You’re not the first of the female persuasion to work with bridges; I met a couple 20 years or more back. The position of simultaneously bringing new knowledge to a place and having to learn is familiar as well. Write stuff down, it might help…

    1. I’m a chronic list maker.

  2. Carole Lewis Avatar

    You’ll make it yours, as you learn all the tips and short-cuts that only come, with repetition, and from co-workers. Your dedication to always learning will make everything so much easier. Dig in.

  3. We are all proving ourselves constantly. You have the skills, you have the knowledge, you have the ability. Do your job, do your best. That’s who you are. Give the folks a chance to see what you can do, and don’t make an issue of it. All will settle in. And IF they are paying attention, they will come to respect and depend on you. If they are just wanting to judge you based on anything irrelevant they will do that too. I think you should assume good intentions first. No points for unearthing those people with their own issues. We all have them, even the best of us. Expect to be happy there. I EXPECT you to be happy there!

  4. Female bridge tenders… that is just crazy talk… we all know that only a man can be smart enough to operate a bridge… HA!

    1. And then there’s that extra appendage, which helps with pressing all those silly, confusing buttons.

      1. Hey… that is how I type faster… HA!

  5. There is always a learning curve with a new job, whether you have lots of experience or not. It’s the time your new bosses and co-workers get to know you and vice versa. Pretty soon they will see that you know what you’re doing and you will see that the respect and trust will be there for you. Just keep doing what you’re doing and you’ll be fine.

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