5 Things Employees Wish They Knew Earlier in Their Careers

Thinking about starting your career at Cox? Hear from employees as they share what they wish they knew before joining: lessons and advice to help you succeed. 

Starting a new job is exciting, but it also comes with plenty of unknowns. What if you could skip some of the guesswork? 

We asked some of our employees at Cox to share what they wish they knew before joining the company. Whether you’re vying for an internship, co-op or a full-time role, their insights can help you make the most of your experience from day one.

1. You’re going to make mistakes — and that’s okay! 

At Cox, we offer a safe space to try new things, fail fast and learn fast. 

“It’s expected for you to make mistakes,” said Jared Alexander, senior manager of Cox’s LEAD program. “The earlier your make mistakes, the earlier you can learn from them.” 

What matters most is that you don’t give up without even trying. 

“A lot of times, you may be worried about how things are going to turn out, but you’ll never learn unless you try,” Jared said. 

2. You don’t need to know everything. 

After years of classes, projects and hard work toward earning your degree, you’re eager to apply what you’ve learned out in the “real world”.  

But remember that every new role comes with an adjustment period, and it’s okay not to have all the answers right away.  

“I wish I knew that you don’t have to know everything coming right out of college,” said Mataya Hill, an energy conservation analyst at Cox. ”Your managers and your coworkers are supportive, and anybody outside of your team as well is willing to train you or help you when you don’t know.” 

3. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. 

Being the newest — or perhaps youngest — person on the team can feel intimidating. You might hesitate to ask questions because you’re worried about seeming unprepared or inexperienced. But seeking clarity isn’t a sign of weakness: it’s a key part of learning and growing in your role.  

“Looking back, I wish I’d had the courage to ask more questions,” Madison McKemie, an event marketing specialist who started as an intern on Cox’s events team in 2022. “No question is a silly question.” 

Embracing curiosity will help you gain confidence, build connections with your team and set yourself up for success. 

“I didn’t know how supportive my team and leaders would be,” said Amirah Frye, a workplace experience program manager at Cox. “It’s so refreshing, given the transition from college to corporate, to know that your leaders are always there to help you, guide you and answer your questions.” 

4. Don’t let self-doubt creep in.

It’s easy to feel like you have to prove yourself when starting a new role, but don’t let uncertainty overshadow your abilities. 

“I wish someone had reminded me that I’m here for a reason and not to second-guess myself because I’m smart and capable of doing this job,” said Hayden Shelton, a digital marketing and communications manager at Cox. 

Instead of questioning whether you belong, focus on what you’re learning and contributing as a way to help remind yourself that you have what it takes to succeed. 

5. Make the best use of your time. 

When you come to work at Cox, you're encouraged to look beyond your day-to-day responsibilities and maximize the opportunities available to you. Whether it's learning new skills, networking with colleagues, or getting involved in projects outside your immediate role, there’s always room to grow. 

“Something I wish I knew before coming to work at Cox is that my job was not to just complete the task that my manager assigns, but rather making the most out of the company,” said Rodolfo Lopez, a marketing manager at Cox.  

 So that’s doing things like: