I Thought I’d Feel More “Ready”
Before starting my first full-time role that actually aligned with my long-term career goals, I thought I would feel more prepared. I had a degree, work experience, and years of balancing responsibility. I assumed that once I started, things would click quickly.
They didn’t.
I’ve been working full-time in this role for less than six months, and I’ve learned more than I could have comprehended before starting. Even knowing there would be a learning curve, the sheer volume of information felt overwhelming at first. I didn’t take accounting courses in school, so stepping into an accounting role meant absorbing an entirely new system, language, and way of thinking all at once.
The most overwhelming part early on was understanding the accounts and where everything actually goes. That knowledge doesn’t come instantly. It comes with time, repetition, and proper training. At the beginning, it felt like everything mattered all at once, because it did.
Confidence Comes From Doing, Not Knowing
As time went on, things slowly started to make more sense. Doing tasks daily, seeing patterns, and understanding the why behind what I was doing helped me get into a rhythm. That repetition rebuilt confidence that felt suppressed while I was learning.
It reminded me that learning a new job isn’t easy for anyone, especially when it’s outside your academic background. I had mostly taken HR and finance classes in school, so accounting felt like a lot all at once. What made the difference was having supportive people around me, access to one-on-one training, and the ability to ask questions without feeling judged.
The learning hasn’t stopped, and I don’t expect it to. I care about this role, and I care about becoming better at it. I want to understand not just my tasks, but the underlying accounting concepts behind them. Accounting was never my strongest subject in school, and I struggled with the classes. Ironically, doing it in real life has made it make much more sense.
There’s something oddly satisfying about becoming competent at something you once found difficult.
Accuracy Matters More Than Speed
One of the biggest things I’ve learned is how important accuracy truly is. In accounting, you’re often the last line of defense. When work comes to me for processing, I’m responsible for ensuring the right information is entered, the right amount of money goes to the right place, and it comes from the correct account.
Right now, I’m working across two dealerships, which means managing two sets of accounts. That adds another layer of responsibility. Anyone can go through the motions at work, but the people who succeed are the ones who care enough to understand what they’re doing and continuously look for ways to do it better and more efficiently.
My reception experience has been surprisingly valuable here. Accuracy, organization, and careful data entry were already ingrained in me. While I don’t deal with customers face to face anymore, I now support the dealership on the back end by ensuring things are done correctly, regulations are followed, and documentation is accurate. That behind-the-scenes work matters more than most people realize.
Reputation Is Built Through Reliability
I’ve always taken pride in being reliable. When coworkers come to me with questions or tasks, I want them to trust that I’ll handle it properly and as quickly as possible. I’m often the type to pause what I’m doing to help someone else when something needs attention.
People have different opinions on this approach, but I genuinely believe it builds reputation. Especially in fast-paced environments like car dealerships, being known as someone who gets things done quickly and correctly is incredibly valuable. That trust compounds over time.
Ask Questions, But Pay Attention to the Answers
One thing I wish I understood sooner is how important it is to ask questions without fear. When you’re learning something new, questions are necessary. The right people will never make you feel stupid for asking. They would much rather explain something than have to fix a mistake later.
That said, asking questions also comes with responsibility. If you find yourself asking the same question over and over, it’s worth pausing to reflect. Either the explanation isn’t landing, or the role may not be the right fit. There’s nothing wrong with needing clarification more than once, but there is a difference between learning and staying perpetually confused.
If explanations consistently don’t make sense and frustration is constant, that’s not productive skill-building. For anyone involved.
What I’m Still Learning
I’m still early in my career, and I’m still learning every day. I don’t have everything figured out, and I don’t expect to. What I do know is that confidence comes from effort, curiosity, and consistency. It comes from caring about your work and being willing to sit in discomfort while you learn.
This role has taught me that growth doesn’t always feel good in the moment, but it’s worth it. I’m becoming more confident, more capable, and more comfortable with challenges I once avoided.