Smudging the Lines - Work, Home, Wome?

Most people generally divide their work life form their social life. At 5 o’clock, work life ends and you are on your way to your real-world. In school and in training for the working work, experienced mentors have always been diligent to teach this important lesson. Therefore, I have been careful to limit the level of details provided to colleagues about my personal life. However, since I began my internship, the lines between work and “life” have smudged.

                My colleagues are also people I run into in Jamat Khanna – a part of my life that I did not share with colleagues or even classmates before. Therefore, it was important for me to learn the divide (if there was to be one) between these two lives and more importantly, how to co-exist with both lives.

                In some cities, urban development is geared to bring residents the life style close to their work places. Toronto, for example, developed plans to allow residents to live and work in the same community rather than spending hours commuting to jobs in downtown. Comments from readers make the case in both directions – for and against the transition to “living where you work.” ( 'New urbanism' projects put jobs close to home)

                At USC, a professor opted to live where he works, citing the short commute to work as a benefit. More colleges and universities and improving the “professor – in – resident” or “residential communities” on campus, to build the college campuses into residential communities, rather than a campus of academic buildings alone. ( Reasons for Living Where You Work - USC)

                There are pros and cons to living and working in the same community. Ultimately, the decision comes to what you – as an individual – prefer.

                On my first day, my biggest challenge was to remember the culture shift – the people in the officer are not just “uncles” and “aunties” as they would be in Jamat Khanna. They are colleagues, and I should treat them as such.

                In addition, it was important to mentally prepare of the new internship. One added benefit of working in the same community as you live in is you know the decorum, the language, and the culture of the community. According to The Good Intern blog, there are several preparatory aspects for every intern (or new employee) to remember as well as some of my own comments ( The Good Intern):

1. Know the location
2. Know the parking situation/requirements – be prepared for far, paid, parking
3. Plan what you are going to wear – make sure it is clean, iron it, polish your shoes, hem your pants, etc. ladies – wipe away that lime green nail polish and lay off the long dangling earrings or or excessive jewelry.
4. Do your research – know the company (or organization), including its mission, staff, etc.
5. Make a plan – have a gameplan of how your morning before the start of the internship will be like
6. Be prepared! – most offices provide basic supplies, but be prepared - bring a notebook (not your old school books!) - writing utensil - at least two different modes (pen and pencil)
   - documents if necessary for paperwork or preparation requested by the mentor/supervisor
   - munchies – not too loud or messy; you want to be able to have something to carry you until your lunch break, since you won’t know when that may be.

Breathe and have a good first day! That's how my day went! 


Regarding the divide between work and home, I am still handling it and contemplating the repercussions of it. However, ultimately, it comes down to being comfortable with the distinction (or lack of) between the different spheres of your life. Are you at work? At home? Or at wome?