Asia Blessing Odeh on stepping into a Design and Communications role

Asia Blessing had spent almost three years in her previous job. So when it was time to leave and step into a new role as a Design and Communications Associate, excitement was not the only thing she carried with her. The week before her first day, she was incredibly nervous. She had no idea what to expect, who she would be working with, or whether she was truly ready for what was ahead. In her words, she was “honestly freaking out.”

And then came Day One on the new role: The first surprise was that she didn't have to hit the ground running at all. Instead, she spent her first week onboarding, settling in and getting to know a team that turned out to be nothing like the one she had imagined. She had expected to walk into a room full of people much older than her. What she found instead was a group of young, “really cool” people doing incredibly serious work. It was only later, when the pace picked up and everyone suddenly started looking to her for answers, that the real feeling of stepping into something new began to sink in.

What was the role, and how did you feel the week before you started?

It was a Design and Communications Associate role. The week before, I was incredibly nervous. I was leaving a job I'd been in for almost three years and stepping into something completely new, with no idea what to expect. I was honestly freaking out.

What surprised you most in the first few days?

The onboarding. It was far more comprehensive than I expected, and for the entire first week I didn't do any actual work because I was focused on settling in. Everyone was so kind and welcoming too. I had convinced myself I'd be working with much older people, but instead I met a team of young, really cool people doing incredibly serious work. That caught me off guard.

Was there a moment early on where you felt out of your depth?

Oh yes. My first week was slow, so nothing prepared me for how fast-paced and demanding the work became afterwards. We had a major week-long event, and on one of the days my manager wasn't around. Suddenly everyone was turning to me for answers, and in my head I was thinking, I just arrived.

I remember telling my mentor how scared I was, and he told me something that has stayed with me: always lift your shoulders high. It was his way of reminding me to carry myself with confidence, even when I didn't feel it. So I put on my big girl pants, showed up, and did my best. Looking back, I realised confidence isn't always about knowing everything. Sometimes it's simply about showing up anyway.

What is one thing from that first month you're proud of, even if it seemed small?

Instead of rushing in to change everything, I took time to study the organisation and my team. I came in full of ideas and wanted to implement everything immediately, but I quickly realised they already had systems that worked. So I stepped back, observed, asked questions, and learned how things were done. That gave me a much better understanding of my team and the organisation, and I think it made me a better teammate in the long run.

Was there anyone who made the transition easier?

Victor, The Design Consultant. He was always just a DM away whenever I needed guidance or reassurance. No matter the situation, I knew I could reach out and he'd help me navigate it. I honestly don't know how I would have survived those early days without his support.

Looking back, what would you tell yourself on day one?

Calm down. Breathe. You're amazing, and you're going to do amazing.

Day One is a Daysim series about the first days nobody prepares you for. Daysim is a secure platform where you can practise new roles before you begin.