Entering a new community can be a difficult adjustment. Whether it be a new job, class, or extra curricular activity. Every community operates differently. It is your job as the newcomer to adjust accordingly. Typically, there is a grace period for newcomers. Of course there will be slip ups in the beginning. Each community has their own way of communicating and there may be some new technology you’re not familiar with. However, after a certain point it is expected that you become acclimated. Settling into a new community may be intimidating, but most people do just fine. However, there are some that fail miserably.
Alan’s Story
Alan is one of those who failed miserably. Alan is infamous among those studying writing. Elizabeth Wardle, an accomplished composition scholar, wrote a study on Alan. See, Alan refused to acclimate to his new community. Instead, Alan decided to be a jerk. Alan entered the humanities department of a major midwestern institution as a tech specialist. His job was to make sure all the departments computers were running as fast and smoothly as possible in order for faculty to complete their duties to the best of their abilities. Since Alan was the only person in the department with advanced technical abilities, he believed he was above his colleagues. According to Wardle, when Alan was asked what his position was, he responded, “‘I am basically a systems administrator, which means I am God here. Anywhere in this department. Except for with the department chair.’” Right off the bat, Alan deemed himself an authority.
Long story short, Alan did not last long in this particular department. Not only because of his arrogance, but also his refusal to adjust to his new community. He was unable to effectively communicate with his colleagues. This particular department heavily relied on emails to communicate. However, Alan’s emails were riddled with grammar errors. Not to mention, his emails were filled with technical vomit that his colleagues did not care about. Therefore, his emails were never read.
Basically, Alan made a joke of himself. Between his ego and failure to communicate, Alan was never respected within his community. Although Alan believed he was a “god”, he was not. Instead, in Wardle‘s view, “Alan’s written interactions with the department were seen not as resistance but as ignorance, and identified him as an outsider without authority.” Alan’s goal was to make himself a dominant, untouchable figure in the office. However, Alan was unsuccessful. His coworkers did not take him seriously. Alan had a different type of expertise than his colleagues.
If Alan had acclimated to his new community as opposed to rejecting their ways of operating, maybe Alan could have used his knowledge for the betterment of his department. Instead, Alan tried to hold his expertise over his coworkers’ heads. Alan is no longer a member of this universities humanities department. Hopefully, Alan has learned from this experience and will not make the same mistakes while transitioning into a new workforce.
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