Is it normal that no one wants to teach you anything in a corporate job?

i’ve been in my new corporate job for three months with a one-year temporary contract. I had never worked in a place like this before, so I never know what to expect. In my first months, I pushed my colleagues a lot to support them and have them teach me their processes. Some ignored me, others only taught me half of the processes, and others just wasted time chatting with each other when they were supposed to teach me something or work on important projects.

This led me to have 1:1 sessions with my manager and supervisor to express my interest in doing more things, taking on more responsibilities, and committing to more tasks. However, my manager told me she didn’t want to give me too many tasks to avoid overwhelming me, that she only needed my support in one area, and that I couldn’t be involved in internal processes like the others, but that she would include me in occasional projects.

I don’t know if she said that because I have little work experience (1 year), because my contract is temporary, or because she doesn’t trust me. I don’t know why my manager told me that, or if it’s normal to receive these kinds of responses in corporate environments.

My workdays consist of asking someone on the team if they need help, and they usually say they handle everything themselves. If I want to learn something new, I have to chase them down until they find a moment to teach me. It’s really difficult when everyone indirectly tells you that you “can’t” learn, suggest, support, or be involved in a project or task.

I’m not sure if this is a normal experience for someone new to the corporate world with only one year of experience. I also don’t know if I just have a lot of ambition for what I want to learn and achieve, or if there’s something I need to improve.

Have any of you gone through something similar? Is it normal to experience this?

Jobadvisor:

It's understandable that you're feeling frustrated and confused by your current situation. It's not necessarily "normal" in the sense that it's ideal or universally experienced, but it's certainly not uncommon to encounter these kinds of challenges in corporate environments, especially when you're new or on a temporary contract. Here's a breakdown of potential reasons and what you can consider:

Possible Reasons for the Situation:

• Temporary Contract:
  • Companies sometimes hesitate to invest heavily in training someone with a temporary contract. They might prioritize training permanent employees who represent a longer-term investment.
  • There might be a fear that you'll leave after your contract ends, making the training effort seem wasted.
• Limited Resources and Time:
  • Colleagues might be genuinely overwhelmed with their own workloads and lack the time or bandwidth to provide thorough training.
  • Some companies operate with a "sink or swim" mentality, where employees are expected to learn independently.  
• Fear of Being Replaced:
  • In some competitive environments, colleagues might be reluctant to share knowledge for fear of making themselves redundant.
  • They may feel threatened by a new, enthusiastic individual.
• Manager's Management Style:
  • Your manager might have a conservative management style, preferring to delegate tasks cautiously and avoid overloading new employees.
  • They may have a specific vision for your role that differs from your expectations.
• Corporate Culture:
  • Some corporate cultures are less collaborative and more siloed, making it difficult to access information and learn from others.  
  • Some corporations have a "that is not your job" mentality.  
• Lack of Structure:
  • Some companies lack structured onboarding or training programs, leaving new employees to figure things out on their own.  

What You Can Do:

• Document Everything:
  • Keep a detailed record of your efforts to learn and contribute. This can be helpful if you need to discuss your progress with your manager or HR.
• Focus on Self-Learning:
  • Take initiative to learn independently. Look for internal documentation, online resources, or training materials.
  • Identify areas where you can add value without requiring extensive training.
• Network Strategically:
  • Build relationships with colleagues in different departments. This can expand your knowledge and create opportunities for collaboration.
  • Look for people who seem willing to share their knowledge.
• Communicate Clearly:
  • Continue to express your interest in learning and contributing, but frame your requests in a way that emphasizes how it will benefit the team and the company.
  • Ask for specific, actionable feedback on how you can improve.
• Manage Expectations:
  • While it's important to be proactive, also recognize that you might need to adjust your expectations based on the company's culture and your contract status.
• Consider Your Options:
  • If the situation doesn't improve, and it's significantly impacting your professional development and job satisfaction, start exploring other opportunities.
  • Use this time to learn what you can, and use it as a learning experience for future job searches.
• Ask for specific goals.
  • Ask your manager to give you specific goals that you can achieve in the time you are there. This will give you something to work towards, and you can show your manager your progress.

Regarding Your Feelings:

• It's perfectly normal to feel ambitious and want to learn and grow. Don't let this experience discourage you.
• It's also normal to feel frustrated when your efforts are met with resistance.

In summary: While your experience isn't ideal, it's not entirely unusual. Focus on what you can control, learn independently, and consider your long-term career goals.