Lessons Learned in Corporate America

My 5-year anniversary with my company came a lot quicker than I thought it would. I still feel like I just graduated! I know I've learned a lot of skills in these short years, technical or otherwise. Probably the biggest lesson I'm constantly learning is the fine art of corporate politics. Sometimes it's how to best work with your colleagues and your clients. Sometimes it's swallowing your pride to kiss a little corporate rear *gasp*. Other times it's the "chain of command" to follow so as to not step on the wrong toes.

I still remember my first run-in with corporate politics, 1-month on the job and of all things, on the wording on my business card. 5-years to get a degree in environmental engineering and my first business card stated "Designer, Public Infrastructure". Sounded like a roadway designer or a city planner to me. I asked my boss whether I could get it changed to something a little more descriptive of my role, especially since I was hired into the environmental infrastructure group. I was told it was up to HR who orders business cards, who also gets approval from the VP before submitting the request to corporate. In other words, I could take it up w/ HR who would request a new set of business cards that may or may not get vetoed by the VP on its way up to corporate.

Well this was disconcerting, so I did what my cal poly education taught me to do... walk up and ask why. Not to my boss, or to HR, but to the VP. And so I headed down the hall, ponytail swaying, straight to the corner office and knocked on his door to discuss the fate of my business card with him.

A serious looking man in a suit stared back at me and gently explained to the "newbie" that in our industry the term environmental on a business card usually refers to "bugs and bunnies" and we don't want to give off the wrong idea to potential clients. [I'm sorry? I didnt realize I got a degree in bugs bunny engineering. Deep breath...] I explained that I most sincerely valued my new job, but that I also took a lot of pride in my degree and my department, and that I'm sure the clients would understand that since I'm at the "designer" or "junior" level that surely they won't get the wrong idea about my qualifications. He nodded and said "I'll see what I can do."

2-weeks later a hefty box of business cards with "Designer, Environmental Infrastructure" appeared on my desk. A small victory for me considering I wouldn't get a new set until I passed my PE a few years later at which point I would get to choose my own title. Environmental Engineer. Simple, concise, technical. No warm and fuzzy bugs and bunnies here.

Sometimes it's what they don't teach you in school that is most valuable. My advice is to learn the corporate politics quickly, always act professionally, and look the part even if you lack experience. One of the biggest compliments I've received on this job came from the serious suit's successor who upon 5 minutes of talking with me about my position and my other interests asked me "where did you go to school? wait don't tell me... cal poly." How did he know, i asked? "I could just tell." I was definitely honored that someone of his caliber, and a fellow cal poly grad I assumed, would see in me a fraction of his potential especially when I decided to skip the butt-kissing side of corporate politics and just be myself. That reminds me, most important lesson, don't forget to stay true to yourself in corporate america. Don't worry about what others are doing around you. Just do you... do well... and it'll pay off.