Starting All Over: Day 7

March 8
No one-on-one meetings today. Now I can study, navigate through the website, the intranet and organize my notes. I get my first new office phone call. It is from my sister, who has an uncanny ability to track me down no matter where I am.

Today is a long day. I still am unable to match names and faces. I am among a slew of strangers.

Starting All Over: Day 6

March 7
Another orientation one-on-one meeting. More acronyms are used throughout the conversation. I slyly glance at my cheat sheet of Commonly Used Sentara Acronyms and smile. This one-on-one deals with the company's service product line. I am intrigued and frightened at the same time, because all of these service product lines that we discuss, I or a family member had used at some point. Then I thought, "are we that broke-down"? LOL.

Help.

Starting All Over: Day 6

March 7
I attend a meeting about a new project, new for me, at least. I provide a little input hoping and praying that I don't embarrass the boss. She said it was good feedback. Wonder if my colleagues agree? I am gaining momentum . . . at least for the present.

Starting All Over: Day 5

March 4

Research continues. There's much to read and even more to learn. First step in the public relations process, class . . . Research. I have interviewed or been interviewed by nearly a dozen individuals. I have read through several brochures, filled a notebook with notes, started a new notebook of notes, examined several organizational charts and visited dozens of websites (just to mention a few research items).

Sometimes an old heifer needs a shot in the arm . . . and nothing fits that bill like the challenge of a new job.

Woohoo!

Starting All Over: Day 5

March 4 (continued)

I meet with my new boss, who by the way, has convinced the entire team that I am a PR Goddess and not just the PR DVA. My new colleagues keep telling me how excited and happy they are that I have joined the team. I am frightened by this phenomena.

I get the first of my assignments. My new boss doesn't want to overwhelm me. Hint: I have been overwhelmed since the 1/2 day orientation. This feeling is not unusual for new people trying to navigate through large and complex organizations. At least, that's what I've been told.

Customer satisfaction, communications, employee audiences, my impatience, video production, ideas and more ideas are discussed at this meeting.

Perhaps, I am on the right track after all.

Starting All Over: Day 5

March 4

Today is daddy's birthday. I sure miss him. I say a quick happy birthday, daddy, prayer and then I roll out the company organizational chart.

Today's one-on-one orientation meeting is with the strategy director. This woman is all about the planning. She talks explains what a COPN is and that Virginia is a COPN state. She also talks about some very exciting research and tools being conducted and used in medicine. I get excited and remember why I wanted to be a part of the team.

Market assessments, demographics, healthcare trends, capitol projects, technology assessments and market share reports. She is talking business. I am ready to run out the door tearing out my locs as head for the parking lot.

I smile, thank her for her time, shake her hand and run for the nearest exit.

Starting All Over: Day 4

March 3

I am so confused. Who are all these people and what do they do? Where do they fit? Who are these people? My one-on-one orientation today is with the marketing lady. She has her act together and provides me with a substantial bit of information, including a "cheat sheet" with commonly used company acronyms. She even updated it right before my eyes. This "cheat sheet" will become a lifesaver.

Next one-on-one is with the Sr. VP for HR. He is one sharp guy. Suggested that I should shadow a few clinical people. The boss thinks this is a good idea. We work to make it happen.

More information. More faces. More notes, files, publications and more faces. People seem to be excited that I am here. That's hard to believe. Nobody's been excited about me being some place since my high school senior prom. Come to think of it, my date wasn't that excited.

Things are picking up. Still a little isolated . . . probably by choice, but just the same I am lonely.

These one-on-one orientation meetings are a great idea.

Starting All Over: Day 3

March 2

First meeting with the Corporate Communications team. These folks are on the ball. I bet within this group they have about 200 years of experience in public relations, marketing, news writing and new media.

Starting to collect information on rolling over my retirement plan. Woohoo!

Reset twitter password.

Update contacts in Outlook.

Improve my health everyday.

Starting All Over: Day 2

March 1

Had my first orientation one-on-one meeting with the nicest woman. Starting to feel like I belong . . . a little. Can't seem to set up my voicemail correctly. Frustrated. Computer died.

Starting All Over

February 28

Day one on my new job. Sad, lonely and pitiful. Went to lunch after orientation, but couldn't eat the food. Pitiful. Sad. Lonely. BTW . . . orientation was off the hook!