Coming Home, What I Learned

By Zach Spirer, Account Coordinator and Office Administrator at LCI
My decision to leave San Francisco was fueled by an urge to escape the comfort of my surroundings and to experience living somewhere new – somewhere darker, damper and further north than any major city within the United States mainland.
Prior to joining LCI, I spent four years at Seattle University in Washington and the city had a visible impact on my life. For one thing, within my first year, my wardrobe had diminished to a sea of black and grey attire. I found myself subconsciously exchanging my colorful closet for whatever I could find to mirror the terminally overcast sky. Second, my eating habits changed. My college schedule had become the only schedule I knew; some days I awoke for class at 10 a.m. and on others, “busywork” kept me up way past midnight. While all these factors were new to me at the time, I quickly became comfortable in my environment. It’s easy for one to become content with his or her surroundings, but the best way to stimulate the mind is by doing something new. Today, transitioning into my post-graduate career is bringing about happily welcomed unpredictability.
With that, here are a few tips on managing the transition from student to employee – from one city to another:
Don’t Devalue the Meaning of Past Experiences
College and work are comparatively different environments, but crossover is common. Remember that class that required you to write three essays a week? At a public relations agency, tasks that necessitate both speed and quality are abundant. And how about that class that required you to go out and speak to various members of the community? Adapting to a multitude of personalities is a skill that proves helpful when communicating with clients and affiliates.
Create a Balanced Schedule
College allows for creativity when determining one’s schedule. Weighing the options of going to class in the morning, afternoon and evening is burdensome, but a rare privilege at the same time. Waking up before 7 a.m. for work on my return to San Francisco was at first a challenge, though after three weeks of practice my definition of “sleeping in” dramatically changed. Schedules are by nature restrictive, but pencil it out with care and a proper work/life balance is both possible and enjoyable.
Don’t Underestimate Where You Came From
Food from far-away places on every street corner, a Mediterranean climate and an assortment of public transportation options make up only a few of the many perks offered to San Francisco residents. That’s not to say other cities lack the aforementioned amenities, but San Francisco is home for me. Thanks to my inherent familiarity with the city, my younger self neglected to see how truly special this City really is.
Questions or comments? Share your thoughts below or send an email to [email protected].