What I Didn’t Expect From Office Working by Katie Pinion

Katie Pinion is Digital Business Accelerator Apprentice at Morgan Hunt and is writing for the Community Blogging Team.

I started this apprenticeship not knowing what to expect or how I would develop over the next year of my life. Now, I wonder how I've changed so much throughout the course of this apprenticeship- and think about how much of the change in me is due to Multiverse and the experiences and lessons I've learnt being an apprentice thanks to the community and my coach.

I’ve had two office jobs before - one for a freight company, which I worked in for a month before realising the job wasn’t the right fit for me. That office was in the middle of a high staff turnover, trying to build itself back up again after covid, with a majority of staff being over 40 years old and the role itself being repetitive.

The other, I’ve remained at since September 2021. A recruitment company where I’ve adapted my role into what I wanted, where there’s a wide range of ages within the team and company, as well as having multiple nights out/social gatherings with the team and being offered opportunities I hadn’t expected before I joined.

It was important to me that the office I work in, created an environment for productivity and well-being as well as relaxation, as well as the team being sociable enough to be considered a family- and that’s exactly what I’ve been given at my company.

Distractions

The dog barking, the kitchen downstairs filled with treats, family members talking amongst themselves downstairs. Working from home instals a never ending list of diversions that in the office wouldn’t exist.

It’s easy to switch on your TV or check a phone notification when you’re at home, even easier to divulge yourself into a show or movie, or wind up scrolling through TikTok. At least within the office, your team’s there to poke at you if they’re realising you’re being distracted too easily.

Previously, I worked for a virtual assistant company which was strictly working from home, and sometimes tasks would pass me by as I didn’t have anyone across the desk from me reminding me to pick up on something.

In contrast to now, where my team comes into the office everyday despite the option of working from home- so that we can all work amongst one another and catch up with ease.

Friendships

Being in an office of mixed ages allows you to learn a lot from not only people who have worked there longer, but from those older than you as well - whether it’s about the job or something in general.

Not only can you learn things, but you’re more likely to teach them new things too! Only last month I made the office manager aware that the printer had a keyboard beneath the temperamental touch screen, and I’m still teaching new things regarding compliance to my colleagues despite them having an extra 4 years within the job.

Skill developments

Not only do you learn a new computer system, but you’re learning things about yourself and developing as a person as time goes by. Since the beginning of my role, I’ve become more vocal within the office, taken a large chunk of responsibility and adapted my role and the tools that I use to fit me and the rest of the team.

In an office job, you’re learning that it’s not just somewhere to spend your weekdays from 9-5, it’s a place where you’re learning a lot about yourself and others. How do you communicate best? How do you work within a team? What method of training has the most effect on you? There’s a lot of development happening day by day.

Experiences

Company parties. Team nights out. Social events planned within the company like Fantasy football leagues and pool game competitions.

These are all things that many companies don’t offer, but I’m lucky enough to work at one that does. For someone my age to join in with things like these in one of their first jobs, it’s incredibly rewarding and I’m glad that I stumbled across Multiverse in order to find this company.

Overall, I think that an office job is only as appealing as the people on your team are- talking from previous experience. But it’s definitely the right fit for me.

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