By Kelsey McWilliams, junior journalism major at CU-Boulder
Friend [frend] noun: a person attached to another by
feelings of affection or personal regard
Colleague
[kol-eeg] noun: an associate
The two definitions above may seem pretty straight forward
at first glance, but the truth is: there is a fine line between friends and
colleagues. That’s not to say that you can’t be friends with the people you
work with, but colleagues are not equivalent to friends outside of the
workplace.
First of all, your boss is not just an ordinary colleague,
especially if you’re an intern. As fun and friendly as your boss may be,
remember that you are in a professional setting, so it is imperative to act
that way. Do not come to work hung-over or talk about inappropriate things with
people in the office. Making a negative impression could certainly hurt you in
the future at your current job or internship and affect your career search.
Workplaces are a great way to meet people and make friends;
so don’t be afraid to take advantage of that opportunity. Just remember to be
cognizant of your surroundings whether you’re having drinks with colleagues
after work or sitting in the office lounge. Making a good impression on people
is an important part of professional life, so make sure to know your
boundaries.
As much as you may like your colleagues, they are not
replacements for your mom, roommates or childhood best friend. That means, over
sharing of personal details is definitely not recommended in a professional
environment. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with being friendly and outgoing,
as long as you know where to draw the line.
No comments:
Post a Comment