There is a Yiddish saying that, “All beginnings are hard.” That’s the bad news about the Entry Stages in your career. The good news is that it gets easier.

You’re in an Entry Stage is your career when things are new. Your challenge is to learn the ropes and settle into your new situation quickly and effectively.

The first time that happens is when you move from school to your first regular job. Brent’s first job was with a company that rents construction equipment. He had a lot of things to learn.

He needed to learn about the construction industry. He also needed to learn about the company and about his job. He needed to make friends at work.

The Entry Stage is a little like the Chinese character for crisis. It’s composed of the character for “danger” and the one for “opportunity.” There are many “first impressions” and things you don’t know that will feel dangerous. But there’s also the excitement of something new and the opportunities ahead.

Later in his life, when Brent gets promoted, or changes companies, or gets assigned to a different office or project, he’ll experience other Entry Stages. So will you.

Every time you start something new you go through an Entry Stage. The challenge is always the same.

You need to learn the ropes and how things are done in your new situation. You need to connect with the people and make sense of the social network. And you need to figure out how you fit in best.

Look for resources to help you do those things. Seek out a mentor or two.

Early in his new job, Brent spent a lot of time on the phone with his uncle who had worked in construction for years. He did research to help him understand the business. And he made friends at his new company who helped him learn how things work there.

In the Entry Stage and every stage in your life and career you need to do the same thing. You need to seek out the resources, including mentors, who can help you make the most of where you are. At Momentor, we’re designing things so you can always find resources for the Career Stage you’re in.