Week 1: Learn How to Use the Coffee Machine

So, dear reader, the first week has come and gone, and I'm left wondering if it were all a dream. Everyone in our office has been so lovely and warm. Already, I've held small conversations with each of my colleagues. I'm hoping that by the end of this placement, I will have hopefully developed enduring relationships with them all.

As of yesterday, Adriana and I have set up out desks on the top floor of the office, alongside the postdoctoral research associates. It has taken us a good portion of the week to organise our new desk-top computers. For some strange reason, we haven't been able to access our staff accounts. As such, we've had to use laptops to complete our first few assignments.

In addition, it has taken me some time to adjust to the work processes here. I confess, I was a little overwhelmed at first - not that this should surprise me, being my first professional job inside a large international organisation. Such tasks include using Google Calendar to book future work meetings, accessing the shared Drive for formal documents, becoming aware of the etiquette for emailing colleagues, and the processes of setting up the meeting room.

However, the task which has caused me the most grief has been the following:

Learning how to use the coffee machine.

Yes, I know what you're thinking. A postgraduate student struggling to use something as simple as a coffee machine. The first time I tried to use it, I couldn't understand why it wasn't emitting hot water... until someone kindly pointed out that I hadn't poured any into the back of the machine!! I can now safely say I've learnt this skill, even if it caused a few of my colleagues to shake their heads in despair at my utter lack of common sense!

Luckily (for the coffee machine), my first few assignments haven't required me to butcher any more kitchen utensils. Rather, I've been told to document the Recruitment Process here at RMIT Europe. While I imagine most people would find this boring, I happen to be one of those strange, strange people who find such large excel spreadsheets fascinating.

If only I could spend my entire time manipulating graphs and analysing data - how much easier work would be! But alas, no one would ever learn in life if they didn't expose themselves to things they found difficult.

It so happens that I lack experience with the visual element of marketing - so I've requested to join the Adobe InDesign workshop next week to strengthen my graphic design skills. I expect to be staring blankly at the screen for the first half of the session, while my colleagues are racing ahead with the program. Ah well, such entertainment will have to wait until next week, I'm afraid.

For now, I think might make myself a good cup of coffee, and trust that I'll never, ever forget how to do this!

#week1 #lessons