I know what you’re thinking: how can you have fun and balance a demanding workload at the same time? You may have a different idea of fun before you graduate, but having a good time in college is unquestionably related to how much you enjoy your college experience both academically and socially. The same can be said for your first job. I’ve had friends complain to me for an entire summer about how grueling and depressing their internship was. To be completely honest, I do understand. I did a few things that were fairly monotonous. As an intern, I had to make a seemingly infinite number of (sometimes painfully awkward) phone calls, all with the same repetitive message. While this was just a minor part of what I did every day, it helped me to sympathize with my friends who spent eight straight hours punching numbers into excel. But as a whole, this internship is different. This company is different. This company is fun.
Fun can be defined in many ways, but the way I’m referring to is more subtle than the rest. No, I am not alluding to the company barbeque or the Office Olympics (yes, these do exist). What I am talking about is the simple pleasure of your colleagues’ company – and that’s what has made my experience at Castle so enjoyable. All employees, from both the events and the PR teams, seem to complete more than the average person’s workload every day. But they do it with a smile on their face. And that’s what keeps the wheels turning on our office chairs.
Relating my example back to school, the good professors are the fun professors. They are engaging and keep the class’ attention throughout each lesson. They construct assignments that the student actually enjoys doing. In the workplace, it’s absolutely necessary to keep employees engaged. Having the ability to joke around with your colleagues is underrated, and creates a positive environment marked by synergy and enjoyment. Personalities click, and the daunting amount of work magically starts to disappear. However, fostering a light, collaborative atmosphere isn’t just your boss’ responsibility – pitch in, offer to do more, and crack a few (appropriate) jokes. After all, it’s partially your job to make sure your colleagues don’t dread to come to work every morning. And that, my friends, is the hidden key to a company’s success.
