I am a new starter to AIRINC as of January, joining the Client Engagement team. After 15 years working on the operational side of Global Mobility I was ready to step into something new (and just a little outside my comfort zone!).
The Adventure Begins (Whether You’re Ready or Not)
Here is the thing about starting a new job that no one really prepares you for. It can feel like being dropped into a movie that is already halfway through. Everyone knows their roles, there are jokes you do not understand and suddenly you find yourself immersed in it while still trying to figure out how to log in properly. It is exciting, full of potential, but also strangely discomforting.
Especially if you, like me, always worked on the operational side of Global Mobility. I know my new responsibilities, but now I’m working with data I didn’t use to handle. It’s a shift I’m still getting used to.
And to add to the challenge, I’m also German. I like a plan, a backup plan, and a chart to track the next steps. So when I walked AIRINC, surrounded by new people and new systems, a small part of me panicked, smiled politely, and immediately started building a mental checklist.
Learning the Culture, Building Relationships, and Finding Your Pace
No matter how prepared or confident you are, starting somewhere new will humble you. You are surrounded by new faces and processes that do not totally make sense yet. It is not about hitting the ground running. It’s about taking a moment to figure out where you’re going, then easing into a jog while trying not to trip.
What I have learned is that nobody expects you to get it all immediately, especially not at AIRINC. Everyone understands that this is a new field, and the level of patience and support I have received has been amazing. What is expected—and appreciated—is curiosity. So I ask the questions. All of them. Even the ones I think I should already know the answer to.
And then there are the relationships, truly the magic ingredient. It is not about finding your new best friend, but being curious about the people around you. Thankfully, that is something I have always enjoyed. Asking for help, sharing a laugh during the daily chaos, leaning into those little moments of connection and that is where things start to click.
Stepping Out and Connecting in Person
In those first few months, I had some great opportunities to step out and connect in person. I attended the Expat Academy event in London with colleagues, joined an FEM chapter meeting, and even traveled into the office to meet more of the team face to face.
These moments made such a difference as they helped me understand the culture, see how we support clients, and put faces to the names I’d been emailing. Each experience gave me a little more confidence and helped me feel part of something bigger.
Progress and the Beauty of Being New
One of the best surprises has been how smooth the tools are. After years of wrestling with clunky systems and complicated workarounds, it’s a relief to use tech that just works.
Now, six months in, I can see real progress. I love that finally I am making it to Friday without feeling like my brain needs a full relaunch before Monday. I am almost not the “new person” anymore—which feels strange to say, because it has gone by so quickly.
The unknown is uncomfortable but taking a leap of faith into a new environment and a new field is very inspiring.
Thank you to all my colleagues who made these first 6 months a real blast and to their patience for answering all my questions!
