I am really loving my new job. The people are all super nice to me, and everyone is really helpful when I'm learning how to do things, and the work is varied and interesting every day.
The first few days were extremely overwhelming. There were all kinds of orientations and paperwork coming out of my ears. Then I had to read a ton of procedures and get trained on the proper way of doing things in the lab. There have been a couple of times where I've been thrown in the deep end with nothing but a vague set of instructions, but then the training kicked in and I totally owned it. This job makes me feel so good about myself and my abilities. I feel like I'm contributing to something amazing in a real way.
I was really worried about having to learn new things. I had become extremely good at what I was doing at my old job, but it was getting me nowhere, career-wise. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to pick up new things, that it would be too hard. But, it seems like I had nothing to worry about. I'm learning something new every day and every day is a new adventure.
The commute is one of the only things that isn't a step up from my old job. It's a 40 minute drive (my old job was 20 minutes away). The other thing is the hours. I had been working a 7:30 to 3:30 which I absolutely loved, and now I'm on a 9-5. I'm getting used to it, but it's sorta disappointing when I look at the clock and it's 3:30 and I think I can go home but NO, I have to stay another hour and a half.
I think as I learn to do more tests and become more independent and less needy I'll be able to fill my time better so I'll always be busy and the time will go by much more quickly. I hate being bored, like I was for part of today. I ended up doing menial tasks like washing dishes and filing paperwork so I wouldn't be sitting around doing nothing. I talked a bit with my boss the other day and he really wants me to be doing more important tasks, since I was hired as a Senior Analyst (that makes me sound old!), but personally I feel like nobody is above cleaning up after themselves and I am determined not to leave messes for others to clean up.
My immediate supervisor is so sweet and understanding. I think we're going to end up friends. But my manager is a little scary. He's British. Have you ever met a Brit? I think I didn't realize how friendly Americans are until I met a few Brits (and RB is a British company, so there are quite a few even here in Salt Lake). It's not like he's a jerk or anything. Actually, he's a very likeable guy. He's just very serious about what we do and would probably be very stern if he felt he needed to. Anyway, I never ever want to end up on his bad side so I'm trying super hard not to screw up! So far I haven't made any mistakes.
The benefits at my new job are amazing, too. By moving I got a substantial base salary raise, plus potential for higher bonuses than at my old job. The 401 K is awesome: my old company matched 4%, and this one matches 6% and also contributes an automatic 4% on top of that whether you're contributing or not! I did the math and I'll be getting almost twice as much into my 401K per year as I was before. AMAZING. Also, the health insurance is better and less expensive for me.
Really, it was about time I made a big, positive change in my life and this is looking to be the best decision I've made for myself in a very long time.
Bigger, better things.
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