I love hydrangeas so was really excited when I planted a couple of shrubs a few years ago on the south side of my house facing the ocean. They never did well there though because of the strong winds, salt air and constant sun. However, a couple of years ago I planted a hydrangea on the north side of my house where the conditions aren't so harsh, and it is thriving, as you can see in the picture to the left. Employees also need to work in an environment where they can thrive and flourish in order to be their most productive, creative and expressive selves. While I realize that most college students are eager to get any job, it is worth taking the time to reflect on the type of environment you work best in and what type of manager motivates you to do your best work. Then, when you are interviewing, you can assess if the company's culture is a good fit for you. GlassDoor.com is another way you can research a company's culture.
A great tool to help you identify the values most important to you in the workplace is the free O'Net "Work Importance Profiler." (Your college's career center may have other similar assessments for you to use.) After you determine your workplace preferences, you will be able to find occupations that match your values. If you need help taking the assessment or interpreting its results, make sure to speak with an advisor at your college's career center.
By putting the time into assessing what's important to you in the work environment, you'll be able to thrive and flourish in your first job out of college by being a happier and more productive employee. Now, what manager wouldn't like that?
