In this world, you have to advocate for yourself. It’s hard to rely on others to do this for you. If you’re not covering your own back, odds are nobody else is doing it for you. This is especially true in the workplace. Every workplace runs a little bit differently, and you’ll find out in the first couple of days/weeks just what quirks you’re dealing with. Is it the kind of place where everyone goes out for a drink after their shift? Or is it the kind of place where people are reluctant to even share phone numbers? Do you have the kind of boss that understands when you’re running 5 minutes late? 

Or do you have the kind of boss who reprimands you for glancing at your phone during your shift? And, most importantly, is it the kind of place that does things by the book, or is it the kind of place that expects you to look the other way when it comes to labor law violations?