A couple of weeks ago, I handed in my resignation, which will mark the end of my (almost) 2 years at Flume. I didn’t make this decision lightly. I’m incredibly sad to be leaving Flume, where I have gained indispensable knowledge and picked up a few new sets of skills, but on occasion you need to make a change in your life.
Jacques and Ruan have crafted Flume into a company known for producing exceptional work, which they achieve by hiring only the best people. At Flume, you’re not only valued for your work skills, but also your quirks, your smirks, and your outlook on life. After all, I like to think I was hired because I promptly stood up and jumped onto my tiptoes when Jacques asked me in my interview, “How do you think on your toes?”
With a million emotions running through my head/heart, I wrote about what working at Flume has taught me.
Your colleagues become your friends:
Your first few weeks at a new job can be scary, but your first day is easily the one you’re most worried about. When I started at Flume, I joined a team of 10. From the first time I stepped through Flume’s door I was shown smiles and warmth; the first 2 people I met were Michele and Eve, who immediately made me feel like I’d been there for a lifetime. Though they’ve both moved onto new jobs, we still chat almost every day.
Working in pods of about 6, your small team consists of the people you’ll be spending most of your time with. Martin and Imogen are 2 of the hardest working people I have ever met, and made my time at Flume SO seamless and SO fantastic. Ruan (before you moved to another pod), you were one of my favourite parts of Phoenix. I’m going to miss my pod-mates a lot.
You don’t have to like everyone:
You are never going to get along with everyone; it’s just not human. It’s also no secret that there are people at Flume who I’ve argued with numerous times, people I disagree with, and people I’m not friends with. This is not only a colleague-thing, but also a life-thing. Something important to know is that you don’t need to be friends with all of your colleagues, but you do have to work with them. If you have an argument, get over it and move on.
It’s OK to speak your mind:
If you’ve ever met me, you’ll know I have a huge personality, and I brought this with me to Flume. With this comes my penchant for honesty; I very rarely keep my mouth closed. To my favour, most of the people at Flume appreciate honesty. If something is bothering you, it’s better to say something about it than to let it fester. Psychologists exist because talking about your problems is cathartic, and in most cases your colleagues at Flume are willing to lend an ear and help you work through any issues you may be having.
Step out of your comfort zone:
I joined Flume as a community manager (the first official one), but I’m leaving with many different skills, and heading into a different job. Community management already involves a wide range of skills, from copywriting to creative concepts, but I took it a step further. I got into hand-crafting content for clients and creating animations. I took Flume’s social media to a new level by getting involved, dusted off my old photographic tricks with a few shoots, and got interested in paid social, which is now the next step of my career.
To my resignation email, Jacques replied, “Flume will always be a home for you.” That is exactly how I will always think of Flume, and perhaps one day I will come home.
