Starting a new job can be an unnerving experience, as it involves not only getting familiar with new company processes but also getting to know a new set of colleagues and adapting to an entirely different work environment. The pressure of having to learn and remember so many new things all at once can lead to a whirlwind of emotions.
This is where Waeg's Surf Buddy Program comes in. It’s an initiative designed to make the transition into not only Waeg but the role as well as smooth and stress-free as possible. The program provides new Waegers with a designated "Surf Buddy" who will be there to guide them through their first few weeks on the job, helping them get to know the company culture and work processes and answering any questions they may have.
By offering a supportive and welcoming environment, Waeg helps the new Waegers feel more confident and at ease as they begin their journey with us.
What exactly is the Surf Buddy Program?
When new employees first join Waeg, they may feel like they're paddling through uncharted waters, unsure of where to go or how to get started. But with the guidance and support of their Surf Buddy, they can quickly transition from paddling to shredding those waves like a pro. Surf Buddies are chosen for their expertise and their ability to connect with new employees, making them the perfect mentors for those just starting out at Waeg.
Through regular check-ins, one-on-one meetings, and chats, Surf Buddies help new employees feel more comfortable and confident in their new role. They provide valuable insights into the company culture and help freshly minted Waegers understand the ins and outs of their job responsibilities. This not only helps new employees get up to speed faster but also ensures that they feel valued and supported right from the start.
In addition to helping new joiners, the Surf Buddy program also benefits our experts. By mentoring freshly minted Waegers, Surf Buddies can gain leadership experience and develop their communication and coaching skills. They also get the satisfaction of helping someone else succeed and feel more connected to their colleagues and the company as a whole.
The Surf Buddy program is just one of the many ways that Waeg demonstrates its commitment to supporting its employees and helping them succeed in their roles. With the help of our experienced Surf Buddies, new joiners can feel confident, supported, and ready to take on any challenge that comes their way from day one!
Okay, but does it actually work?
Now that we know what’s what, let’s listen to what the Waegers have to say about the experience. We’ve conducted a survey for those that were/are part of the program, and here are some of their answers:
Cristina, one of our paddlers, shared that her biggest worry when joining Waeg was being 100% remote, which was all new for her. “Starting a new job, especially in a remote setting, can be overwhelming and nerve-wracking. I thought it would be difficult to connect with my colleagues and build relationships without seeing them face-to-face.” Thanks to her Surf Buddy, to whom she can easily reach out when she needs it, Cristina feels it has been a valuable support system during their transition. “My Surf Buddy didn't hover over me but instead provided me with a friendly face and a listening ear whenever I needed it. It made me feel more confident and ready to tackle my new role.”
Cristina is not the only one who came to appreciate the program - here are quotes from the other Paddlers:
“As a new hire, having a buddy can make all the difference. I was lucky enough to have a buddy who went out of their way to make me feel welcomed and supported. They were always there to answer my questions, offer solutions, and share their knowledge. It was great to have somebody so friendly and approachable around, especially during those first few weeks when everything felt so new and unfamiliar. Thanks to my buddy, I was able to settle in quickly and feel like a part of the team right away.”
“It's essential to have a buddy when you start a new job in a new company so that you know you can disturb this person to ask any questions, you feel better when you know who to contact”
“As a new joiner, I had a lot of questions like where to start or whom to ask or am I reaching out to the right person. Though we had Confluence pages, sometimes it is a bit hard to go through all for a simple/small question, during those times, having a dedicated surf coach helped a lot in clearing everything and guiding me through the Waeg process also got insights technically in and around my role/functionalities. Having a surf buddy program definitely helps the new joiners in settling into the role.”
Two sides of the story
And it’s not just the Paddlers who think this initiative is very useful - here’s what our Surf Buddy, Anabela had to say about it: “I think the Surf Buddy Program is important for new joiners because it helps them to know the team and working methods and also to know more about Waeg culture. One of the challenges for me was to keep the balance of the interactions, I didn't want to be a bother, but I also didn't want to make the other person feel lost. So, I learned to check in with the other person, for example, if we didn't talk much during the week, I would send a message just to know if everything was ok and if the person needed help with something.”
Thanks to the feedback from our Waegers, we know that the program is working and it’s working well. At Waeg, we take pride in offering a supportive and welcoming work environment to all our employees, especially those who are just starting out. We understand that starting a new job can be overwhelming, and that's why we have created our Surf Buddy program. If you’d like to know more about our culture and initiatives, don’t hesitate to reach out! And if you like what you’ve learned, make sure to check out our vacancies page and see if there’s a wave that might be just right for you!
Wiktoria Kaglik, Copywriter @Waeg, an IBM Company
Cristina Meireles, Internal Marketing & Communications Specialist @Waeg, an IBM Company
