From New Grad to Real Belonging: My First Months at RapDev

Starting your first job out of college can come with a mixed bag of emotions —  I was excited, but also anxious in ways that are hard to explain. There’s something intimidating about transitioning from a lifelong student to someone who’s expected to contribute in meaningful ways rather quickly. I felt that pressure the night before my first day as a Junior ServiceNow Developer at RapDev. I didn’t know what to fully expect. I’ve heard the horror stories of new grads being handed busy work, sitting in meetings they don’t understand, and sitting around feeling like they’re just filling a seat.

But what I quickly found out was, RapDev isn’t like most other companies.

From the very start, I never felt like I was the “new grad”. As cliché as it sounds, I felt I belonged here instantly. Whether it was my manager, a long-time employee, or someone who started 10 days before me, everyone made sure I had all the resources and support I needed to succeed from the get-go. The work moves fast, and it can be challenging. There have been days where I’ve felt a little out of my comfort zone. And I’ve made mistakes - plenty of them. But what stood out to me is how little my tech leads fixated on what actually went wrong. The only thing that matters to them is that I’m constantly learning and challenging myself. That kind of culture means a lot when you’re still finding your footing.

Speaking of the culture, it’s unlike anything I’d ever heard of. It was emphasized throughout the interview process, and I read all the glowing reviews online. Still, none of that fully captured what it actually feels like to be here. There’s an energy in the office that makes you want to show up every day. The culture really became real to me through the events. Friday pickleball, staying late in the office on Thursdays just to hang out, the infamous Winter Week — those are where I could tell this company loved to have fun just as much as they love to work hard. I was able to quickly bond with a handful of coworkers, to the point where I can genuinely call them friends. Making friends after graduating can be difficult, so finding real community and connection in the workplace is something I value greatly.

I still have a long way to go in my career. There’s so much more to learn. But I know the foundation I’m building now — the trust, the confidence, the community — is something I’ll carry with me. And I’m grateful that it started here. Check out our careers page.