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“FEARLESS AND UNDEFINED:” WHAT STARTING A NEW JOB SOUNDS LIKE

Brenna Edwards

University of Georgia

BitCurator Forum 2026 | June 17, 2026

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OUTLINE

  • Prioritization
  • Making Connections
  • Learning and Understanding
  • Reminders
  • Thanks!

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Photo credit: https://www.thehunchblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/kpop-demon-hunters-saja-boys-your-idol-scaled.png

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PRIORITIZATION

  • So many options of where to start!
  • Small starter projects vs finishing larger projects
  • Take notes for documentation / �process updates

“The worst of what I came from, patterns I’m ashamed of, things that even I don’t understand”

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Photo credit: https://www.thehunchblog.com/2026/01/21/kpop-demon-hunters-movie-review-a-new-strategy/

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MAKING CONNECTIONS

  • Cold emails!
  • Who do you go to �with questions?
  • Turning the job description into what the job is

“We’re shattering the silence, we’re rising defiant. Shouting in the quiet ‘You’re not alone’”

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Photo credit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvcR_T37g7E

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LEARNING AND UNDERSTANDING

  • New workflows, new �coworkers, new environments
  • Not only learning the technicalities, also �learning the culture
  • Mental shifts of what’s important between work environments

“But dive in the fire and I’ll be right here by your side”

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Photo credit: https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/movies/articles/kpop-demon-hunters-2-officially-214721719.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAGxXQv8hC2k1suQAdO7IrJGu-jLehkHvcr3o0mzMsrMvHtkIjgOE7ghdfXhyMJayodGt5Mq3vaxM6wHfSDBdmh7OLprF20n8IcFWp0cTvtR59a28RAa_PQNBEAbbysYVcfgRu3SQ2jtF0726KLxGCY2QqqRUjlzSvpCJ4Ppb-UL7

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“Let the jagged edges meet the light instead. Show me what's underneath, I'll find your harmony” 

Photo credit: https://www.threads.com/@zackneave/post/DOTCb_5DSAl/media

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REMINDERS - IT TAKES TIME!

  • Everyone knows you’re new – it’s okay to ask questions! They don’t expect you to know everything
  • Go with what excites you, no matter how big or small
  • Spread out the HR required trainings if you can – give yourself breaks
  • You’ll figure it out and be successful!

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THANK �YOU!

Brenna Edwards

Brenna.Edwards@uga.edu