2020 March, as the pandemic began to unfold, I stepped into a new job, in a new sector, and into a role that I didn’t feel fully prepared for. I expected to be eased in and felt that there would be time as I began to understand and tackle the work. However, the first thing I realised was that working in a small setup meant you learn by being thrown into the deep end. Don’t get me wrong, there’s a rescue boat just alongside you in case you need it, but there isn’t an “easing in” as such.
Coming from a large multinational in the for-profit sector, I thought I knew what fast-paced meant. This, however, was a whole new ball game. A small company meant – greater accountability, lesser room for error, and incessant hard work. It worked splendidly because the company I am working for was on the same trajectory as me; we were young, determined to prove ourselves, eager to learn, and dedicated to our purpose.
Working at a startup as a young professional is incredibly empowering. You are pushed beyond your expectations of yourself and with the right mentorship, you can achieve wins that you may have otherwise been considered too young for. As I complete a year at Social Lens, I look back at the challenges that I have faced, the leadership opportunities I have been awarded, and the responsibilities that I have been lucky to undertake. I attribute this to working with an organisation that rewards outcomes regardless of age or experience and places trust in its people.
As I grow professionally, I look forward to reaching greater heights along with Social Lens as we continue to strive in its mission fulfilment.
