On Wednesday, I completed my final day of work at Howe Lumber Company in East Brookfield, after a nearly six-year term of alternating between working for the hardware store/lumberyard part-time during the academic year and full-time during the summer and on holiday breaks. Leaving was bittersweet. It was hard to say goodbye to co-workers and many frequent customers who, at this point, feel like family. But I punched my time card for the last time Wednesday around 5 or so and began embarking on a new chapter of my life the following day, when I started navigating towards my new position, as a Client Data Specialist for Unum Group in Worcester. I made a list of things that I needed to get and things that I needed to do before starting my new job. I thought that it would be of value to Odyssey readers to share with you what I did to help prepare for my new position.

1. Figure out what your hours will be

It's really important that you show up on-time and plan ahead for your new drive to work. Be sure to contact your employer to find out what hours you'll be working. This will also help you get a feel for when your free time will be in and around your new job. For example, I used to get Thursdays off at my other job, but at my new job, I'll have Saturdays off. That's going to be a big adjustment for me, so I tried to plan ahead and make sure that I'll be all set for my first week. I'll run most of my errands on Saturdays and Sundays, seeing as those will be my days off.

Also, knowing that I'll be starting at 8 a.m. means that I need to plan to leave my house within enough time to get to work. My previous drive to work was literally 15 minutes, whereas now I'll have a 45-minute drive to do each morning and each evening.

2. Ask your boss where you should park

This is crucial if you drive. Obviously if you don't drive, you probably don't need this information, but either way, it's good to know. Some companies have their own parking garage, so you can just park there and you don't have to have a special pass, but other companies share a common parking garage with other companies.

Parking garages also tend to add time to your 'get to work' schedule. You'll need to factor in the trek from the parking garage to your office each day. The best way to ask this while also seeming low-key and not as if you're going to ask a million questions as soon as you start would be to email the person who hired you directly. It will also make you seem like a responsible employee and make them feel good about their new hire (which, depending on the company, position and situation, could bode well for you later on).

3. Buy yourself a planner

Even if it's the middle of the calender year (like right now, for example), take the time to go to an office supplies store or a Target/Walmart and buy yourself a planner. if you get one that spans 2 years, it will be a worthwhile purchase. I spent less than $2 on a planner with a faux leather case, notepad, contacts list, 2 years, amd pockets at Walmart and Target (free shipping on orders $25+ every day!) has some great ones that you can get online for $5.99 and up.

Need one like NOW and don't have time to shop around? Check out Amazon.com and use your Prime shipping subscription to get it in 2 days with free shipping every day, no minimum order. Or, you can be crafty and grab a calendar and print out your own pages from this site.

4. Get clothes that fit the job description

Take the time to make sure that your current wardrobe is going to fit your new job. If you're going from a job where you'd be standing up all day to an office job, you'll probably need to invent in a different pair of shoes. I suggest checking out what Payless has. You'll probably be able to find something great for $20 or less!

If you're going from a job in retail, to a job in insurance, you want to be sure that you upgrade your wardrobe from business casual to business professional. Also, make sure that the clothes that you plan to wear to your new job fit well. Nothing is worse than having a too-tight shirt/skirt on your first day of making a good impression.

5. Come in confident and on-time

Make sure that you arrive on-time and come in ready to work and confident with your ability to do the job. Realize that you can't make a good impression on the first day by being late to work. Set your alarm, go to bed early the night before and don't do anything peculiarly strenuous before going to bed the night before.

Wake up, splash some water on your face, make some coffee, get dressed, throw your makeup on and head out the door without uneccessary distractions getting in the way. Own the day and set the tone for your new career.

Good luck!