Organization Culture week 1

I started my internship in the City Attorney’s office in Milford, CT this week! I’m very happy that my internship is in person for the entirety of the summer. I feel that this hands-on, in-person, experience will allow me to form deeper connections with my co-workers, as well as deeply immerse myself into my work within a few weeks. The city attorney’s office is made up of 6 employees, each with a different role. Because this is a government job, most of the positions and roles of the employees are predetermined, with a clear-cut hierarchy. The City Attorney is the head of the office, thus assuming the role of the “main leader”. Each employee reports to the City Attorney and their work supplements his duties in order to create the most efficient office possible. As the (only) intern in the office, it is clear that I report to each member of the office.

I’m really enjoying the way that people interact with each other in the office. There is a casual vibe between co-workers that makes the office a more enjoyable place to work. Co-workers are always joking around with each other, but there are also not hesitant to share personal details about their life. Although I have only been working for a week, I find that this comfort and camaraderie promote efficiency in the office. People really seem to enjoy working and being in the office. Additionally, there is a sense of trust among co-workers that allows the City Attorney to delegate tasks instead of having to supervise every small task.

One aspect of the organizational culture that I am currently struggling with is that each member of the office has been working in the same position for at least a few years, some having been in the office for over 20 years. This makes being a new person difficult for a few reasons. First, because I am new to the field of law, there are certain terms that I do not yet understand. To people that have been working in the field for a long time, these terms and phrases are second nature, but I have to stop and ask them to explain these things. Additionally, because everyone is so familiar and relaxed around each other, it is difficult to figure out how formal and professional I should act. Most people interact with each other casually and very informal, but as a new person, I feel that I should maintain a level of professionalism.