Transitioning To A New Role

By Chris Sciullo- UPMC WorkSource Manager

Transitioning to a new role can be exciting and scary at the same time. It's hard to know what to expect from changing responsibilities to changing team members. Here, Chris Sciullo, Manager, UPMC WorkSource, shares his experience.

In October 2010, I walked into a role and world largely unknown to me. Having spent the first few years of my professional career in UPMC Corporate Human Resources, I was fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to manage areas within temporary staffing operations.

Feeling the natural levels of excitement and uncertainty that come along with any new career opportunity, I greeted my new role with a sense of optimism and confidence. I knew that a positive attitude and outlook would play a significant factor in determining the outcome of my success in a new department.

To best prepare myself for the transition, I adopted the mindset of becoming a "student" of the department. If an understanding of operations and positive progress are to be made, it was imperative to listen, understand, and learn from my staff. Without their support and knowledge, my initial goals would have been difficult to achieve.

Additionally, I embraced the opportunity to learn from the experiences and wisdom from various experienced leaders in Talent Acquisition. I inquired about their preparation and first steps in management. Learning from their past successes and failures helped me prepare for the road ahead in management.

Collectively, I feel my mindset, team, peers, and departmental leadership all greatly aided me in assimilating well into my role as a manager.

Chris's First Day:

Nothing like starting off a new position by making a little noise. The first day in my new role, despite the multiple warning signs and stickers on the door, my boss and I proceeded to go through an emergency fire door and set off multiple fire alarms within the building. The situation was eventually brought under control. It was definitely not my finest moment, but I redeemed myself through purchasing coffee and donuts for the whole office that morning - a "universal sedative" to diffuse any situation.