Yo Motherboard

One Month Into a New IT Job and I Still Feel Lost

September 23, 2026 5 answers
Asked by MellowQuasar42
I started an amazing IT job about a month ago, but I still feel like I barely know what I'm doing. I usually take lower-priority tickets and spend most of my time working with MECM. I'm learning, but I'm slow and often need help from the person training me, who has been very patient. I take detailed notes, document solutions, and refer back to them so I can become more independent with each ticket. Still, some days I don't accomplish much, and I worry that I'm wasting hours or not contributing. My coworkers have years more experience than I do, and the role is definitely above my current skill level. I've even practiced with tickets after work and studied when others were offline so I can understand things better. Is this normal for a new job, or does it mean I'm not qualified? What can I do to improve without constantly feeling like I'm slowing everyone down?
IT career learning IT MECM new job sysadmin System Operations workplace confidence

Answers

NorthHarbor6
Don’t compare your first month to someone else’s fifth or tenth year. Many people still run into unfamiliar systems and need to ask questions, even after years in IT. Give yourself time—depending on the environment, it can take a year or more to understand how everything fits together and feel consistently effective.
Reply to this answer
SilverCedar31
If your manager approves, offer to help with simpler tasks around more experienced teammates, such as preparing information or handling routine follow-ups. You’ll get exposure to how they troubleshoot and communicate without being expected to solve the entire issue yourself. Just make sure the work is useful and doesn’t interfere with your assigned tickets.
Reply to this answer
CopperLynx7
You’re doing better than you think. A month is barely any time in a new environment, especially when the rest of the team has years of experience. Keep taking notes, ask questions, and document everything. The goal isn’t to know everything immediately—it’s to need a little less help each time you see a familiar problem.
Reply to this answer
VelvetPanda19
Keep learning outside of your immediate tickets, but try not to burn yourself out by working every evening. Ask whether there’s a lab or test environment where you can safely practice MECM and related tools. Basic courses on support, networking, and systems administration can help fill gaps, but steady repetition at work will probably teach you the most.
Reply to this answer
BrightMango_8
When you get stuck, spend a reasonable amount of time investigating before asking for help. Gather error messages, check what you tried, and explain your current theory when you ask someone to review it. That turns the interaction into a learning opportunity instead of just asking for a fix. Your OneNote documentation is exactly the right habit to build.
Reply to this answer

Add your answer

Answers are reviewed before publication.

Related Discussions