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How do you get to know everyone?
In the first few weeks, conversations are scheduled with partners, principal researchers, and seniors. These are colleagues who often serve as project leaders. Through one-on-one conversations, you get to know them well, and they get to know you. These discussions provide you with a good insight into the various specialisations within Dialogic and the types of research you can contribute to.
In addition to these conversations, you get to know most colleagues informally. We all have lunch together every day at a long table. Through the conversations at the table, you actually get to know your colleagues best. There are no fixed workstations in the office, so you often sit next to other colleagues, which helps you get to know them better.
Furthermore, I have participated in 'Dialogic FM', a radio show that is organised every year on the last day before Christmas. Participating in this was also a fun way for colleagues to get to know me better.
How do you get involved in your first projects?
My first research project actually came to me unexpectedly. Sometimes, at Dialogic, there are projects where extra capacity is needed, and if you are interested in that research, you can immediately join to contribute.
What I have also noticed is that taking initiative may be the most important way to get involved in new projects. By keeping an eye on the overviews of new research requests, you can promptly indicate which studies interest you. This way, you are also involved in the research process from the beginning. As your colleagues get to know you better, they will also involve you in new assignments that suit you.
From the beginning, you have a lot of autonomy over the projects you join. I chose to participate in very diverse projects to get a good understanding of the different domains in which Dialogic conducts research.
How are you guided and given time to learn?
I found the colleagues around me very helpful during the first few weeks. Everyone is willing to help you get started. All doors are normally open, so the threshold to ask for help is very low. Furthermore, a lot of relevant information can be found on Dialogic's internal 'wiki'.
On the first projects you work on, you receive extra guidance from the project leader. This was the most valuable guidance for me. You learn the most by getting involved, but it's nice to have someone to look over your shoulder and give you tips.
How do you experience the difference with studying and completing your dissertation?
There is quite a bit of overlap between conducting research during your studies and doing research at Dialogic. Many of the methods and theories I use now were also covered in my studies. This allowed me to provide relevant input to projects right away.
For me, the biggest difference between writing my dissertation and doing research at Dialogic was that at Dialogic, you work as part of a team. While with your dissertation, you are mostly relying on yourself, here you are truly researching with a team. This not only makes research a lot more enjoyable but also enables you to learn a great deal from others. Furthermore, the work here is much more dynamic than writing your dissertation. You work on multiple studies concurrently, providing enjoyable variety.
