One Year Later

Here we are, one year later. 365 days. 52 weeks.

New acquaintances, mistakes (but that’s how you learn, isn’t it?), successes, completed projects, and meetings. If I had to sum up this past year at Middle in a few words, that’s how I’d do it. But if you’ve made it this far, it’s because you want to know a little more. So I’m giving you (again) a small part of my story: my professional evolution over this past year.

If you were with us exactly one year ago, you already know me a little bit and you know how I ended up here. If not, I advise you to read this article to learn a little more about the girl whose words you are reading right now.

Let’s start with a little flashback.

July 6, 2020.

I arrive at Notman House at (approximately) 8:56 am, and quickly realize I don’t know the suite number. Stress starts to increase rather quickly, as I have less than 5 minutes left in order to not be late on the first day of my real first job. I instinctively go to the second floor (where I had my interview with the team). As I arrive in the hallway, I seem to recognize Karelle’s voice and I follow the direction. I knock on door 207 and find myself facing my new boss. 

Her first reaction? “But… what are you doing here?”

The answer that came out? “It’s my first day…” (read this in a very insecure tone).

The answer in my head? “Did I get hired or did I dream it?” (a tear ready to fall).

The misunderstanding? I was supposed to work from home (July 2020 = COVID), but I was in such a hurry to get started that apparently this information totally slipped my mind. 

One year later, here I am, a Project Manager, still at Agence Middle and still in a hurry to get started in the morning.

If you had asked me where I would see myself a year ago, and with what interests and expertise, I don’t think I would have had the right answer. I certainly would have said something like a specialization in graphic design or in web editing. Don’t get me wrong, creating optimized visuals and writing are still part of my job! But very much to my own surprise, those aren’t the ones that thrill me the most. 

Thanks to Middle, I discovered a new interest I had the opportunity to implement on several of our mandates: website optimization. By website optimization, I mean the visual redesign to best reflect the client’s brand image and its SEO optimization. The first part constantly challenges my creative side, something that stimulates me mainly. The second part allows me to learn a little bit more every day thanks to training and practice on our own website (at first), and then on our clients’ websites.

So that’s one of the things that motivates me to get up in the morning.

As a Project Manager, as you can imagine, I have completed several projects. I’m proud of all of them, but there are a few that have particularly flattered my ego. To name a few: the visual redesign of several client sites, the creation and improvement of our site’s SEO, and the renewal of the vast majority of my mandates. The best part? When my clients, their relatives or my own friends and family compliment me on my work. It motivates me, even more, to keep learning and improving the quality of what I do.

And the personal aspect in all this?

I am fulfilled.

I am fulfilled because I have the chance to evolve in a team where listening is always put forward. Where support and encouragement are present every day. Where I have the chance to do training on what really interests me. Where laughter and discussions leave no room for the monotony of working at home. Where the word “friends” comes before the word “colleagues”.

I am also still learning, but I was once told that even at 54, you are still learning. So I enjoy learning specifically in the areas that interest me. 

Finally, one year later, how would I define Middle?

Opportunity. Because I am clearly given the choice to specialize, to train in what I am passionate about. And at the beginning of a career, this is not a chance given to everyone, so I take advantage of it to create a well-filled background.

Confidence. Because I’m praised when I get it right, and they let me learn from my mistakes when I get it wrong. And at the end of the day, nothing has changed. Because despite all our qualities at Middle, none of us are perfect, but we support each other through each of our mistakes to come out on top.

Freedom. Because I am allowed to be myself, to express my creativity, to exploit my desires and ideas. Because I feel good, appreciated and respected. And that, for a first job, is a luxury and a privilege I am well aware of.

So here we are, one year later. Still with my great curiosity, my love for writing and my creative ideas. But with new interests and (lots of) new knowledge. And that was only the first year.