NEWBIE NOVEMBER: A REFLECTION ON ENTERING THE WORLD OF "KNOWLEDGE WORK"
As the year winds down, reflection on growth, change and the lessons learned along the way comes naturally. This month, we’re turning that lens toward our most junior teammate, Isabella Ramos, who’s approaching her one-year anniversary with At The Start.
Before joining us, Isabella worked across different industries, schedules, and work styles. Moving into a fully remote consulting environment was a big shift and it’s one she’s navigated with curiosity and grit. In this edition, she shares what she’s learned from her first year, what’s surprised her most and how she’s found her rhythm in a new way of working.
In her words:
THE TRANSITION
At The Start is a fully remote company and stepping into that type of work was a big adjustment for me. Most of my previous jobs were fast-paced and in-person. I was always on my feet, always moving, always around people. And I had to be at a certain place at a certain time to get the job done.
Having agency over where, when, and how I work was in sharp contrast to how I’d been working for the previous two years.
This was the biggest change and the most jarring to work through. It took me most of this year to understand what works for me. Some habits I’ve developed along the way are:
Building a routine & sticking to it.
Outlining the week on Sunday. Outlining my day most mornings.
Co-work!
Giving myself grace when things don’t work out as planned.
WHAT HAVE I LEARNED?
Growth is energizing! If I start to feel like there is no room for growth, I need to look for it. Learning is cool and growing into a role opens doors for new and exciting opportunities.
Don’t stand in my own way. Feeling scared that my work “isn’t right” or “isn’t good enough” is a waste of time. Holding myself back because of those fears leads to missed deadlines and stagnancy. I am pushing myself to share my work and get comfortable with constructive feedback from those around me.
Stay curious. Asking questions makes the work more engaging.
Be patient and flexible. With myself and others. I’m finding that adaptability is one of the greatest strengths I can have.
MOVING INTO 2026
As I look to next year, I’m excited to take on new kinds of work. Now that I’ve built routines and processes that support me, I’m ready to focus deeper and challenge myself in new ways for our clients and our team.
Using this newsletter to reflect on my first year feels like progress in itself.
My final note: If you’re struggling in a new role or simply in a new season of your career, I hope some of this serves as a reminder of what it feels like to start fresh, and how rewarding it can be to grow into something new.