It is that time of year when many new graduates are joining the fraternity and sorority space. If that includes you, I hope you are feeling excited and energized. You probably have a lot of questions, and you might even be nervous. Whatever you are feeling, know you are not alone and you can do this. There is a way to win this next year, and it is all in how you show up these first 30 days.
The first 30 days of your job are likely filled with training,relationship-building, and learning about the organization and your role. While this may feel mundane, I would argue that these first 30 days are the most powerful days of your career. To help provide a path amongst what may feel like drinking from a firehouse, here are five simple yet impactful, tips that I believe any new fraternity and sorority professional can benefit from as you navigate your new role.
Tip #1: Be a sponge
Whether your first role is as a coordinator or team lead, there is power in intentionally taking time to listen and absorb information, rather than immediately jumping in to solve problems. While there is space for the latter, I would encourage you to spend your first 30 days actively listening and “soaking in” all the information you receive. It is especially important if you are learning new terminology that may be organization-specific that you take this time to understand what all these phrases mean and how they relate to your role and the work you are doing. It truly is like learning to speak a new language, so take time to build your own dictionary.
Tip #2: Make networking simple — take advantage of coffee chats
Whether you are a coffee lover like me or you simply like to sit down and chat, do not underestimate the power of a casual conversation over coffee with a coworker or anyone else in the industry. It is often easy to get caught up in a place where all the meetings and touchpoints you have are work-based. Challenge yourself to build in time for a 30-minute call or in-person connection point with colleagues you’re looking to meet or re-engage with. Prioritize relationships and push yourself to connect with people outside of your immediate work bubble. In an industry as small as ours, you will see the same faces often and quickly realize how important it is to have connections. With a personal touch, going out of your way to truly connect with folks will only benefit you in the long run.
Tip #3: Get to know your stakeholders
This is a people-focused industry. Your members, students, and volunteers alike will value and appreciate the time you take to learn who they are, what matters to them, and what is happening in their lives. Keep things professional and limit oversharing, but do not be afraid to step back from work and build these relationships each time you interact with someone. It can be as simple as taking the first 5-10 minutes of a meeting to catch up and do a personal check-in. This will pay off in the end.
As you continue in your role, challenge yourself to keep relationship building with stakeholders at the forefront of your list of priorities. In the world of membership-based organizations, there is immense value in building trusting relationships as you are able. If you can make time to foster relationships throughout your career, not just at the beginning of the semester/quarter, you will likely see success follow. You will likely see a change in the way students view your office or your organization. Through intentional connection, you can help transform the conversation away from “Headquarters or the university doesn’t support us” to a position where students know you and the work you do, and that you truly do care and are advocating for their experience.
Tip #4: Honor your commitments and avoid overcommitting
During your first few weeks on staff, whether on a campus or with a headquarters team, you may feel tempted to jump in headfirst and get involved in several projects or programs. While this is not inherently bad, it’s important to manage your involvement and avoid getting yourself in a position where you have now committed to helping with more than you can handle. Be a team player and help where you can, but you will want to avoid being in a position where you can no longer follow through because you overcommitted.
In the same vein, when students and/or members seek advice or assistance, for example, keep track of what you are committing to for them. Your relationships will suffer if you promise to do a particular thing for a member and then you either forget or it fails because you did not manage your workload and tasks.
Tip #5: Set your own SMART goals
One thing about higher education is that we love a good goal-setting exercise. If you have not already done so, take some time soon to set your own SMART goals for the semester, quarter, or year ahead. There is value to writing down your goals and holding yourself to them as you work towards success.
Think about what you hope to accomplish over the next few months, whether in your specific role or your broader professional journey. Whatever success looks like to you, brainstorm what it will take to get there and what your next steps should be. To capitalize on your growth potential, stay on top of your goals. Revisit these items regularly and assess your progress and what you may need to change to see success. Goals without intentional action and reflection will not be as beneficial.
To recap, within your first 30 days, you have the potential to positively impact the rest of your career by doing the following:
- Intentionally spending time listeningÂ
- Networking using simple methods, such as coffee chats
- Getting to know your stakeholders
- Honoring your commitments and avoiding overcommitment
- Setting yourself up for success with goal-setting
I challenge you to ground yourself in reflection with your “why” and the motivations that have brought you into this industry. Think critically about the change you hope to make and what steps you need to take to get there. Embrace the opportunities for growth and development. Push yourself outside of your comfort zone and take advantage of the resources and connections within this industry as you build your professional philosophy. Ask questions and never stop learning. Remember that you are exactly where you are meant to be and that more than anything, you are capable. I wish you all the best on this journey into fraternity and sorority life.
About the Author
Thomas Bynum serves as the Director of Accountability at the International Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta. He is a graduate of North Carolina State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, with a concentration in Political Science and Criminology. Thomas is a member of Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity and a native of Charlotte, NC, where he currently resides with his puppy, Finley.
