Just this past week, I began working at a plastics manufacturing plant. I have never worked in manufacturing before, and I definitely had never envisioned myself working at a production plant. Don’t get me wrong; I think it takes someone with a great attitude, tough will and patience to work in manufacturing. It is truly honorable work. I was walking completely blind into a job that was far outside of my comfort zone, and here’s why I recommend the same for you:
1. You'll realize you can't do it on your own.
Some of us really like to have the know-how to do absolutely anything. If you’re like me at all, you’re stubborn and maybe a little too prideful for your own good. Working in a job that’s out of your comfort zone will make you see that you need other people to get the work done. You will not be able to complete the tasks placed in front of you if you attempt to do it all by yourself. Although you may get things done the way you think they should, you’ll miss out on opportunities to work together as a team.
2. You will learn to ask for help.
As people, we fear asking others for help. We worry that it makes us look weak, unknowledgeable and will cause those around us to question our qualifications. But as our teachers always told us, “No question is a dumb question.” Although you may run into coworkers who will judge you for asking so many questions, in the long run, the quality of your work will be better for it. Some others on your team may even admire you for breaking down the barriers of your own human ego to ask someone for a hand.
3. You'll have to think outside the box.
When you work jobs you’re familiar with, whether it be because it’s a job you’ve worked for three years or because you’re knowledgeable about the subject, you get used to problem-solving in a very specific way. I worked in an ice cream shop for two years. Whenever a problem arose there, the solutions that came to mind were always to a) get the manager, b) grab the mop bucket or c) apologize to the customer. At my job in plastics manufacturing, none of those solutions are instantly at my disposal, nor are they always the best options. The problems I run into in manufacturing are not the same as those you’d find in an ice cream parlor, thus, I have to think outside of the box when it comes to the new challenges that come my way.
4. You'll get frustrated.
I spent some time at my cubicle this week with my head in my hands frustrated. When you start a new job, you have no idea what you’re doing. When that job is out of your comfort zone… well, good luck. Working a job that’s out of my comfort zone has left me with more stress than I would have if I’d chose a summer job in an area I was familiar with. “I have no idea what I’m doing,” I’ve said as I sat staring at my reflection in the computer at my desk. But that stress has pushed me forward and given me a reason to work even harder on my projects. (It also has forced me to ask for help, work with others and come up with new problem-solving skills.) Being frustrated is quite possibly the best motivator for getting the job done. When you’re stressed, you squint at the finish line and dream of the day you’ll be there. The emotions you feel now will help you to work harder and reach farther for your goals and will make the end product feel so worth it.
5. You'll surprise everyone (including yourself).
I cannot tell you how many expressions of curiosity and surprise I saw when fellow coworkers found out that I’m a Secondary Education/English double major with no background in engineering, manufacturing, or business. “What are you doing here?” people asked me. “You tell me,” I joked, but the truth is I know why I’m there. I’m there to bring my unique ideas and thoughts into the workplace to help my coworkers to have the best working experience possible. I’m there because, on my resume, I said my objective was “to expand my skills set.” I’m there because the head of human resources at corporate headquarters told me that “sometimes these business people get so stuck in their minds and always think in numbers, so it’s a good thing you’re around.” My success and positive attitude about my new work have been noticed by countless fellow employees. They’ve been receptive to my willingness to dig into a project I don’t quite understand yet and have been surprised at my ability to learn as quickly as I have.
But I’ve surprised myself as well. I didn’t know whether I was going to like this new job. In fact, I anticipated hating it. (I love it.) I underestimated myself and my ability to come into a position at a manufacturing plant and find ways to relate my work there to my Education and English majors. I didn’t think I’d learn very quickly, and I would never have dreamed how amazing my coworkers are.
For these five reasons and many more, it’s worth it to work in a job that is far outside of your comfort zone. Plus, you’ll wow potential employers when they see something like “Plastics Manufacturing Intern” next to “Member of the Academic International English Honors Society”. You’ll appear adventurous, willing to learn, and have unique ways to relate your experiences to your dream job. Working a job outside of your comfort zone will be a rewarding experience you won’t regret.
