Life Before Noon: A Millennial’s Manual

As most of Life Before Noon has already done, I will follow suit and describe my first few days on the job. It began on Wednesday. Like Rachel I prepared the night before - deciding what to wear and making sure I packed all the documents I would need when I went to the Personnel Department first thing in the morning. Unlike what some of my fellow bloggers experienced I had the fortune of only having to walk to work. A five minute walk, short elevator ride and there I was.

Things took a slight turn after that.

Reaching the 18 floor only then did I realize that I needed to sign in with reception before going into the elevator. I soon understood that all the doors leading to the different departments of the organization have a security block that requires a chip in order for the door to open. Instead of bothering with proper protocol I went straight up and proceeded to knock on the doors until I was let in.

All was going smoothly until I was asked for my passport.

Oops. Setback number two.

Finally, I headed to my floor. I met with my boss and we began discussing the various projects I would work on, the organizational culture, etc. She then started explaining some politics and the organization’s hierarchy - in Bosnian. Needless to say I was lost, so she began again, this time in English.

The rest of the day passed without any major setbacks. I now know that when leaving or entering the office I have to check my security chip, I know that the bathroom door opens by pushing a button located in the office and I know that I love Post-it notes. I have them all over my computer with tid-bits reminding me of phone numbers and e-mails.

My case of the Wednesdays ended way before I took a bat to the fax machine and although I’ve only been at this for three days and I still have two days of training this week, I believe that I’m slowly beginning to get the hang of things. By asking questions, not being afraid to make a fool of myself (which I have), and paying attention to what I’ve been told, I’m managing to get by, even in Bosnian.

-Aida

I recently read the post, ˝Do You Have Regrets? What Should You Tell Your College Self?˝ by Tiffany Monhollon from Personal PR. I really enjoyed Tiffany’s ideas on what she would tell her college self. Many of her ideas are what I too would tell myself.

In particular what struck me was the section on ‘Broaden your horizons’ because it is a situation that I am in right now. No matter what happens abroad, I know that I can go back to Virginia and live with my parents and try something else if the international experience ends up not being up my alley. It’s the opportunity to try something different without too many repercussions is what makes the position that much more appealing.

Tiffany ends the post by asking what would we tell our college selves now. I would tell myself to take more chances. It’s not that I really regret anything that I’ve done or haven’t done, but if I could go back I would do so much more, whether it ended up being good or bad to just at least try it. The things that matter to me the most are what Tiffany writes about with relationships. The people I met throughout college are what I will remember the most, not the statistics test or environmental science lab. The good, bad and ugly relationships that developed during college are something that I will always keep with me.

Even though it would be fabulous to go back, it’s also good to take note and make the future that much better, knowing what we know now. I can’t go back to being 19 and terrified of what lies ahead, but I can realize what has and hasn’t worked and make my new chapter that much more memorable- and have this really be the best time of my life.

-Aida

I’m finally starting to get ready for my move across the ocean. As I thought about the shoes, coats and other various things to pack, I realized that with all the travel regulations I would have to adjust my mindset of what to bring. Whether you’re moving to another country or going on a quick business trip, it’s important to be prepared.

1. The first step of course is to find a ticket. One site that I use a lot is Kayak.com, another is studentuniverse.com, which offers discounted tickets to those who are still students. Another way to find a good, cheap ticket is to compare the actual airline you’re flying.

2. The step that I find myself in a panic over is packing. Think about carry-ons vs. checking in, which also requires a thought process of two-week stay, six-months move. The Transportation of Security Administration has regulations on what can be included in carry-ons. Prohibited items include bringing sharp objects like pocket knives, scissors, etc. and there are regulations on liquids. Also check with your individual airline for their regulations on baggage size and weight limits.

3. So, you have your ticket and everything is packed, you just have to get to the airport and get on the plane. Take note that if you’re on a domestic flight you should arrive one and a half to two hours before you’re scheduled to take off. If you’re on an international flight you should arrive two and a half to three hours ahead of time. Allowing yourself more time to check-in and go through security checks will help ensure that the whole process goes smoother and quicker.

By being prepared and knowing what to expect in the airport, you will have a more enjoyable trip. Another resource to check out with great information is an article on the latest air travel tips issued.

Happy flying.

-Aida