Fifteen younglings, barely out from University. All wide-eyed and zealous. With hearts full of hope and heads filled with nervous trepidation.
I had to give a site tour and closing address to a group of soon-to-be graduating cadets from the Academy at work today. 10 boys and 5 girls. The big-boss had to run off for an urgent meeting at HQ and here I was, literally holding the baby(s) =))
It felt nostalgic. And strangely, abit sad as well.
Because nearly 8 years ago, there I was, all wide-eyed and hopeful. But now, just a little bit jaded. Usually tired. And definitely more jealous than zealous =P Like a sad and bitter old warrior... OK I'm kidding about the OLD warrior part =))
But talking to the energetic young 'uns, I kept a happy face. Not that I had to try very hard since they were all just so..erm..happy. In spite of the fact that I had to field like a gazillion questions, some really stupid ones I must say, and endless "Sir this" and "Sir that". Hell they didn't even want to go for coffee break.
So I tried to give them a fair and honest assessment of what lay ahead. The career pitfalls, how to navigate the bureaucracy, the 'expressways' to bosses' good books, taboos of the trade and a general feel for the unique organisational culture. A lesson on Corporate EQ, if I might add.
And it suddenly dawned upon me that I know so much and yet put so little of it into practice. Especially in the past year or so.
The space cadets have a lesson of their own for this young astronaut it seems.
Houston, we have a problem =))