This might sound like an oxymoron, but there are true benefits to being in an entry-level position (no, really!). Starting off in a new company, fresh out of college with no real experience level under your belt or beginning in a completely new field way after college could seem like a step back professionally, as you envision endless days of rushing to get coffee, make copies, answer phone calls and doing very little significant work.
Don’t fret in your position just yet. Working your way up the corporate ladder comes with its difficult times, but it is imperative to look at the bright side to being a little lower on the company totem pole. Seize the opportunity of being an entry-level professional to your advantage, and keep in mind these perks you will come out of it with:
The Learning Experience
Being an entry-level employee is all about the learning experience you receive while being a beginner in the field or company. This experience is invaluable because many mid and upper-level executives have years of professional knowledge, which could make for good examples of what and what not to do in your industry, and a great opportunity to make contacts and network.
The experience of learning from seasoned professionals in your field (while also getting paid!) is one that you do not want to ignore and resent just because you are a little lower on the totem pole at work. Many other executives do not have the chance to sit back and learn while on the job, so take this aspect of your position as having an upper-hand.
The Option to Explore Other Opportunities
One of the most useful benefits of being an entry-level employee is the time and space you get to explore opportunities in and outside your company. This could be preparing for another career path or choosing to pursue a higher education in order to increase your overall market worth in your field. Just beginning in your field, you have the option to explore other paths and possibilities before anything is truly set in stone for you. Take your time as an employee to explore options you might want to look further into before you are solidified in your field. It might prove difficult to change your career path completely after 10 or so years in the same field.
Earning Your Way Up The Ladder
This could be a positive and a negative all in one, but “paying your dues” as an entry-level employee is standard in most companies. It may seem like doing menial work like making copies and answering phone calls is redundant and disrespectful, but you never know if how you do it is being noticed.
Many mid and upper-level employees notice the little things an employee does and is willing to do for the company’s overall success, whether it’s picking up the slack for someone else or always being on-time even when no one else is in the office yet. Taking initiative and being a self-starter pays off in the long run, and paying your dues shows your executives that you are willing to prove to them your dedication, which they’ll remember once a -position or promotion opens up!
Being Able to Ask Questions
As an entry-level employee at a company that has seasoned professionals, you can be in a good position to ask questions and inquire about the company. Being able to move around to these professionals and ask how the company works, how it is growing and the changes it might face are freedoms you have as a lower-level employee. Many executives expect you to have questions about the company and where it is headed because it applies to you and your growth at the company. Don’t be afraid to use your naivety, in a sense, to investigate more about the company and its employees and where you fit in that picture.
Less Accountability, But More Responsibility
Don’t be fooled, it might be beneficial to be in an entry-level position because in the beginning, the eyes of upper-level management are not completely on you. But understand, this position is not one to slack on. You might not be held accountable on larger projects and assignments that mid-level executives take on themselves, but you are still responsible for your part. Learn to play your part and acknowledge that it’s a great thing to not have as much weight on your shoulders. As an entry-level employee, use that time to learn how to lift that weight of responsibility in the future so you can work your way up the ladder of success, starting with those first baby steps.
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