November 26, 2024
Engaging New Employees
This year’s annual conference, which recently finished up, was a fast and exciting time. I heard many people say that the sessions were interactive and time flew by.
If it was quick for the experienced folks, think about all the new extension personnel that we had around. Some of them were new agents and specialists, but there were also people from campus that were not traditional extension faculty.
Being the "new kid" can be both exciting and nerve-wracking with all the new faces, names and places. Take a moment and put yourself in their shoes. Remember how it was when you started. An engaged and professional workplace greatly influences employee retention. The experience is different for everyone, but here are a few things that are often consistent for new employees.
1. Feeling Out of Place
At first, you might feel like you don't quite belong or you're still figuring out the social dynamics. Let’s face it, extension has a very unique culture and it can take time to get to know people and find your footing. It’s totally normal to feel like an outsider in the beginning.
2. Meeting New People
One of the positives of being the new kid is the opportunity to meet new people. Some might come up to you right away, while others may take longer to warm up. The first few days are usually filled with introductions, small talk and trying to remember everyone's names. So many people in one place is overwhelming. The first-timers session is a positive way to get started. Don’t forget about this session next year if you have a new employee.
3. Making First Impressions
You might be hyper-aware of how others are perceiving you, especially when you're still getting used to everything. People are usually pretty open to meeting someone new, but sometimes you feel like you're being judged or evaluated, especially when you’re not sure who you can trust yet.
4. Navigating Unknowns
Whether it's learning your way around, figuring out meeting locations or understanding unspoken rules, being the new kid means a lot of things are unfamiliar. There was a period of time when nearly all new hires were K-State graduates. This is far from the case anymore and those that graduated from here or work on campus can often forget that new employees may not be familiar with campus.
5. Building Confidence
As time goes on, new employees get more comfortable, and what once felt awkward will begin to feel like second nature. Confidence usually builds as you get more familiar with your surroundings, routines and the people around you.
6. Fitting In Takes Time
It's easy to feel like you should fit in right away, but often it takes time to form meaningful friendships or connections. It's important to be patient with yourself and remember that it’s okay to take things slow.
Tips for New Employees:
- Be yourself: It's tempting to try and blend in, but the best way to make genuine connections is by being true to who you are.
- Be open and approachable: Smile, introduce yourself and show interest in others. People appreciate when you show genuine curiosity about them.
- Get involved: Join associations or the evening social activities. It’s a great way to meet like-minded people and find your niche.
- Give it time: It may feel tough at first, but things do get easier as you get more comfortable in your new environment.
Annual conference is over for the year, but it is never too late to reach out to someone new. This might be an excellent time to drop someone a note or give them a call and answer questions about the system. If each of the 300 plus KSRE employees engaged just one new person, we will show them we truly care. After all, we are a family of caring people and it takes the entire system to raise new extension professionals!