How do I deal with being young in the workplace?

I just turned 21 at the end of February and I am very short. I currently work in Real Estate as an Assistant for a VERY established Agent, and am in the process of obtaining my license myself. It is hard for co-workers/clients/the general public to accept the fact I am so much younger than them. What on earth should I do? How should I deal?|||Been there! I started working at a real estate office when I was just 19. I am also short, and look several years younger than my age.





I am now 23 and holding my own in a professional capacity. I am also working on my broker's license. Congrats to you on taking that step...It will be one of the best decisions you ever made!





My recommendations:





- Dress the part. Older people in the workforce, especially females, may not come out and say it but they lose respect for younger employees or flagrantly disregard the dress code or come to work with skin showing. This is true in many professional circles. If you haven't already, invest in a few good suits (Express has a good selection) and mix it up with collared button down shirts and other professional attire.





- Co-workers, clients, and the general public are expecting you to trip up because you are young. Don't let this discourage you. LEARN AS MUCH AS YOU CAN FROM EVERYONE AROUND YOU...even if you can't stand them! Know your stuff inside and out and don't be shy about solving problems around the office. Soon they'll see you're not some dumb kid prancing around looking for a hand-out, but a ready, willing, and able employee capable of handling the workload.





- Pay your dues. Yes, doing other people's grunt work sucks but it's a necessary evil in corporate America. Look at grunt work as an opportunity to learn new things about different departments. Everything you do is essentially a new learning experience, and it should be embraced. This does not include pouring coffee, but you know what I mean.





Best of luck, and if you need to talk to someone who's been through what you're going through, send me an e-mail at mrs.luca@yahoo.com.|||WOW I'm going through the complete opposite! Where I work people are all different ages but around my office there are a bunch of young stupid kids that don't deserve the position they have this means they never went to further there education they take advantage of the companies time by taking longer lunches showing up late for work and sitting around all day doing nothing! Don't ask me how they get away with it, but you seem like you will be fine as long as you do your work always are on time polite to others and want to educate yourself more with that Field you are a GREAT YOUNG ADULT!!!! This is what i have learned someone is always going to be JEALOUS of you and your hard work and will try and knock you down STAY FOCUSED and RESPECT yourself and stand up for yourself!!!!!!!|||Don't be afraid to ask a lot of intelligent questions and discuss pertient subjects in a knowledgeable way. Shows you're interested in the subject, that you know some, and that you're willing to learn the business.





Be a hard worker and volunteer to help - suggest things that you might do. But walk the line and don't do too much grunt/admin work or else you'll be thought of as an admin assistant rather than an up %26amp; coming agent.





Don't be too cocky.





Dress reasonably conservative (do not show belly or backside skin, or any underclothes like thongs - get dress pants, not skin tight hip-huggers)





Speak with confidence and wisdom in your voice (even if there isn't anything there to back it up) - which doesn't mean make stuff up or lie, just don't sound weak or timid - if you don't know, say strongly that you'll get back to them right away and when is a good time to call...|||Awesome, I am also 21 and the youngest person out of 240 that I work with. Just be mature and make decisions on your own. Don't run to people for help. Once they see your strength they will respect you.|||well im only 13 %26amp; i have a job. its a little hard for me cause my boss (my dad) always expects more of me %26amp; to work all the time. i work on the weekends %26amp;b over schoo breaks. in my opinon i work too much, but i guess it s not that bad. im getting money! im alot younger that all the other empolyees. im just nice %26amp; have made friends with all of them. just be nice %26amp; smile %26amp; think positive.|||Jennybabylove,


Being young once and working office with many older people (many years ago) I faced the same obstacles. How does a young, inexperienced person gain the respect of your peers? The answer is sounds easy and the solution takes time. In my early 20's, I worked at a company where the mean age was in the late 40's. I had an extremely difficult time gaing the respect of my coworkers. But over time they began to respect me and my opinion. The reson why is I worked hard, probably harder then anybody else. And I also worked smart. I educated myself in the company and in the industry. I learned how to do my job effectively and more efficiently than it was done before. I also learned other peoples job's. I frequently asked for more responsibility and looked for ways that I could improve the company operations. I stayed at the company for 5 years and by then end of my tenure, I was recognized and rewarded many times because of my hardwork. Many managers and even the president noticed me. And, I was still one of the youngest employees. I still use this strategy now three jobs later and it still seems to be working.





You need to remember that this approach will take time, perhaps years. But just remember to educate yourself and not to be afraid to work hard and don't get fustrated. Don't be afraid to speak your mind. Also, be nice. Contrary to popular belief, nice people to get ahead and are remembered.





Also, take time in prayer. God answers paryer and he will answer yours , too.





Good luck.