[Answer] I’ve Just Entered the Workforce and My Job Has Nothing to Do with What I Studied. Starting from Scratch, How Can I Learn More Efficiently, and What Should I Do or Avoid?

[Answer] I’ve Just Entered the Workforce and My Job Has Nothing to Do with What I Studied. Starting from Scratch, How Can I Learn More Efficiently, and What Should I Do or Avoid?

There is a very interesting passage in Chapter 3 of Dream of the Red Chamber, where Lin Daiyu first enters the Jia household. At the beginning it says: “Lin Daiyu had often heard her mother say that her grandmother’s family was different from others. From what she had already seen in the past few days, even the lower-ranking servants lived and dressed in an extraordinary way, let alone the family itself. So she was careful at every step, attentive at every moment, unwilling to say a single unnecessary word or take a single unnecessary step, for fear of making a fool of herself.” In the passages that follow, the text goes on in detail about how Daiyu observes, learns, and tries to understand the Jia household as quickly as possible, adapting herself to its many customs. Through Lin Daiyu’s eyes, the entire situation of the Jia family is revealed. For anyone just entering the workplace, this section is well worth reading closely.

In summary, the essentials of starting out in a career can almost be captured by these same lines. Like Daiyu, being “careful at every step, attentive at every moment, unwilling to speak carelessly or act rashly” is one of the best ways to integrate into the workplace quickly.

If you are truly starting from a blank slate and know nothing about how the workplace operates, then it becomes even more important to stay observant and attentive at all times—from how to use a fax machine, to how to write emails, to how each specific task is handled on the job. You must make a habit of observing carefully and asking when you do not understand. In fact, given the realities of most workplaces, many questions can be answered simply through observation, while asking outright is already a slightly more advanced skill. In many workplaces there is usually a warmhearted senior woman who works hard, shoulders a great deal without complaint, and yet does not hold a particularly high-ranking position. In a sense, such people are often the backbone of a company and are invaluable; they can be the best teachers for someone new to the workplace. But if, unfortunately, what you encounter instead is the kind of person who is enthusiastic about gossip and skilled in scheming, then it is wise to keep a respectful distance.

There is something to learn everywhere if you pay attention. For a beginner in professional life, it is crucial not to express opinions too early, and especially not to voice overly partisan or strongly slanted views. You still do not know the essence behind what you see on the surface. You may not know whether the person you are judging is a smiling fox or someone cold on the outside but warmhearted within. Nor do you yet understand the relationships and entanglements among people. Therefore, humility and silence may be the best choice.

No matter what kind of work you do, improving your professional competence is always one of the best choices. Reading, seeking advice, and taking targeted online or offline courses can all help raise your level of expertise. And if you are willing to take the initiative to help more experienced colleagues with some basic tasks, you may receive unexpected advice and guidance in return—advice that could take you much further than groping around alone in the dark.

To sum up, the key points for someone just entering the workplace probably include the following:

1. Be cautious, observe more, and learn constantly so you can understand and adapt to the environment as quickly as possible.
2. Be careful when expressing opinions, especially opinions with a clear bias. Always remember that what you see may only be the tip of the iceberg. Maintain humility instead of rushing to judge or criticize.
3. Improve your professional skills. In most cases, your professional competence is the most valuable thing you possess in the workplace, so this is the most important part of building basic professional quality. You can work on it from multiple angles by taking on tasks diligently while also continuing your studies and training.
4. The workplace is an important part of social relationships. If you want to understand that deeply, few things are better than reading Dream of the Red Chamber carefully.