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This week at my internship, I attempted to analyze the corporate culture of my workplace. I work at Fake Magazine*, and the environment seems split between two types of subgroups: the older, more refined group and the younger, crasser group. Both groups possess their own positive and negative traits that blend to make the small room that we share what it is. The older group is hyper-focused on the long-term success of the magazine while the younger group seems to work on a more task-to-task basis. Also, the older group is a bit more refined in their speech while the younger group speaks loudly and curses a fair bit more. Both groups reflect the effects of a generational divide, and they both contribute greatly to the entire creation of each print issue as well as each online article.
This company seems to value their time with their family as well as time to travel. Both of these seem unrelated to work; however, they both funnel into the perspective of the magazine as well as the working environment. All of the employees speak freely about their home-life, and many of my colleagues leave early or come in late in order to take care of their children or spend time off with their partners. They prioritize traveling as well. Many people in the office dip in and out of the workplace for days to go on a planned holiday with their loved ones or on a trip provided to them from various companies or tourist boards. Within my two and a half short weeks of working at this company, I have seen the company boss and my supervisor take trips both for work and for a relaxing vacation. These values and experiences help to personalize the various written features.
In regard to my presence within the company, I still do not feel welcomed. Writing genuinely, I was introduced briefly to each employee on my first day and since then I have felt rather isolated despite my close physical proximity to my coworkers. No one has gone out of their way to really engage with me, and when conversation picks up in the office it never pertains to me. The conversation revolves around specifically work-related inside jokes or other work-related matters that I know nothing about. Everyone is polite; however, I definitely feel a bit out-of-place.
Everyone is very hard-working and competent which is reflected in the magazine’s good reputation within the UK. While emailing various companies, I noticed how excited people were when I mentioned that their event is being featured online for Fake Magazine*. It indicated the success that the company has.
It’s apparent that every employee truly wants the magazine to do well, and everyone puts in a great amount of effort in their work while keeping family and travel as high priorities in their lives. This seems to echo what I’ve heard about UK work culture prior to this internship. I will continue to observe the subtleties of corporate culture at my internship within the upcoming weeks.
* Name has been changed so I don't fail my internship if they should read this
It sounds like the subculture differences at your job are really between the generations. I am surprised and disheartened that the younger generation didn't give you more of a welcome. Sometimes, you have to take a bit more initiative in this regard. Sometimes people don't want to invest energy in someone they think is only there for a short period of time.
It's very interesting that there's such a divide in your office between the older and younger generation. I guess I always thought that once you go corporate everyone's personality is the same...something that clearly isn't true. It really is a shame that the employees haven't done more to include you in conversation, it's such an easy way to make a new employee feel welcomed into a new job.
This was kind of a tragic read. It makes me sad that they haven't properly welcomed you. Hopefully this will change for you in the future. It's interesting that there is such a contrast between the two groups who work at the magazine, and it's nice that they all care about the success of the magazine. People often are working for companies that they do not necessarily care about, but it is refreshing that those working at the magazine are passionate about it.
-Melissa D