chicago

Your ideal environment

by Katie Welker

It’s after 7 p.m. and I am sitting in an empty office working. My boss is out on vacation this week, and since I’m still so new, i’m her out of office contact. It may seem counterproductive to most, but it’s the perfect way to learn on the spot. Not to mention I have a great team who helps me whenever I need it.

A few minutes ago, I took care of a small client request for my boss and copied her on the email follow up. My boss replied back and said, “You are awesome!!! Now go home and enjoy your evening!”

First and foremost, she’s right about needing to go home! I have a longer commute now that i’ve relocated to Chicago. But what I found so rewarding was that she took the time to acknowledge the fact that I helped out. She didn’t have to send that email, she’s on vacation for crying out loud! But she took the extra minute to go the extra mile, and that makes all the difference.

It’s the same with everyone I work with. Never too proud to say, “thanks for your help!” or “I don’t know how I would have handled that without your guidance!” Yes, we’re competitive. But at the end of the day, we’re also on the same team.

And that is the kind of environment I thrive in. Encouraging, positive, direct and constructive when needed, but no room for complaints and negativity.

I’ve been in Chicago for just about one month, and at my new job for even less time. Needless to say, there will be MANY ups and downs in the future. However, I know that no matter if it’s a good day or a bad day, I have a group of people who are rooting for me to succeed. And that’s something I feel so fortunate to have found.

So what’s your ideal environment? Where do you feel like it’s okay to display both your quirks and your strengths? If you haven’t found it, I urge you to keep looking. Because i’ll tell ya what… it’s worth it once you do.

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Want to know more about the specialized staffing agency where I work? Check out creativecircle.com, or connect with me on LinkedIn. I’m a people-connector at heart, and would love to hear from you! xo.

With or without

by Katie Welker

Earlier this morning I had a conversation with a new friend who I met at an outdoor zumba class in Millenium Park. She mentioned an ex-fiance, and the curiosity in me blurted out, “ex? what happened?”

Her answer was simple: “I was moving away for grad school and realized I didn’t want him to come with me.”

It hit me like a ton of bricks.

Just a few days ago I packed up my entire life and moved from Buffalo to Chicago. One of the most brutal parts was that I realized not everyone who I knew and spent time with would make this transition with me. And there’s nothing wrong with that, but it’s an inevitable truth that can be difficult to accept.

So who comes with you? Who do you simply carry in your heart, and who do you make the effort to keep a strong relationship with? Because let’s be honest, some people are only meant to be in your life for a short period of time, and that’s okay. But others… oh, others are meant for a lifetime.

For me the answer was simple: I thought about who I missed the most as soon as I pulled out of my driveway a few days ago. And then I thought about who was consistently on my mind throughout the day.

That changed my convoluted doubts into peaceful reassurance. The tricky part, however, is this: what are you going to do to ensure those people are a permanent part of your journey?

Your actions will make all the difference.