Your Career Imprinting - How Your First Job Shapes Your Career and How to Rewrite the Script

In the 1930s, zoologist Konrad Lorenz discovered ducklings instinctively attach themselves to the first moving object they see after hatching. Psychologists call this phenomenon "imprinting" and it profoundly shapes how these young birds see and interact with the world. Intriguingly, something similar can happen in our careers.

Researchers Christopher Marquis and András Tilcsik describe career imprinting as the powerful influence our earliest professional experiences have on shaping our perceptions of work (1). These initial impressions become our personal benchmarks for what a "good day's work" looks like, what success means, and how we should behave professionally.

Why Our Early Jobs Matter More Than We Think

Much like ducklings imprinting on their mothers, our first workplaces often leave a lasting mark on us. These early career experiences subtly inform our expectations, behaviours, and attitudes about work for years to come.

For example, managers whose first professional experience occurred during economic recessions often maintain cautious and careful approaches throughout their careers (2). On the other hand, individuals who begin in times of prosperity may adopt a more adventurous and risk-embracing style. These formative experiences create our baseline for what's normal, expected, or even admirable.

My Early Career Imprint

My first professional role was in management consulting, an industry known for high expectations, rigorous thinking, and extremely long hours. In that environment, staying late wasn't just common—it was actively celebrated. At the same time, critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity were strongly rewarded.

Only years later did I realise how deeply those early experiences had shaped my view of what a "successful" day at work looked like. Even when I moved on to new roles, the imprint of those early expectations stuck: it was only through long hours and being constantly available felt that I felt that I was working "hard enough".

Sensitive Periods and Our Openness to Learning

Why do these early experiences stick with us so strongly? It's because certain points in our careers—like the very start or significant transitions such as promotions or new roles—are "sensitive periods." During these times, we're particularly open and receptive to learning and adapting because we're eager to fit in and succeed.

These sensitive periods mean imprinting doesn't happen just once. Moving into leadership or shifting industries can also imprint new beliefs about work onto us. Each of these transitions shapes and reshapes our understanding of what good work feels like.

How to Recognise and Refine Your Own Imprints

The good news is you're not locked into your early career experiences forever. Recognising your own imprint can empower you to rewrite it. Here are three practical steps you can take:

1. Reflect on Your Early Experiences: Think about your first significant professional role. What habits, beliefs, and expectations about work did you internalise?
2. Assess Your Imprint's Value: Which of these early imprints still serve you well today? Perhaps rigorous critical thinking has helped your career, while equating long hours with commitment may now be hindering your work-life balance.
3. Actively Rewrite the Story: If some of these imprints no longer align with who you want to be professionally, consciously challenge them. Seek experiences, mentors, or role models who embody different, healthier work practices.

When my old "work" imprint gremlins surface and whisper that I'm not working "hard enough" I try to note but not fixate on them.

In my own journey, I've (slowly) learned to recalibrate what productivity means, focusing more on outcomes rather than hours logged. And I've recognised that I need space and respite during the day to do my best work.

Your Career Imprint: What's Your Story?

Early career imprints profoundly shape our understanding of what good work looks like—but they don't define us permanently. By understanding and acknowledging these imprints, we can consciously choose which aspects to keep and which to reshape.

Now it's your turn: Reflect on your earliest career experiences. Which beliefs have they imprinted onto you, and how do they impact your work today? More importantly, which imprints do you want to carry forward, and which ones might it be time to rewrite?

I'd love to hear your reflections and experiences.

References

(1) Marquis, C. and Tilcsik, A., 2013. Imprinting: Toward a multilevel theory. The Academy of Management Annals, 7(1), pp.195-245.

(2) Schoar, A. and Zuo, L., 2017. Shaped by booms and busts: How the economy impacts CEO careers and management styles. The Review of Financial Studies, 30(5), pp.1425-1456.