Where do I fit in

I am having an issue.

The issue is not something huge- or life altering- just an issue. I cannot figure out my niche at work.

When I worked in New York, my role was easy: The bright eyed kid right out of college who just moved into the big city. I asked a lot of questions and experienced everything for the first time.

But now- My role is evolving in the work place and finding where I fit in and what personality role I need to take is kind of difficult. My personality has always been loud- I ask a lot of questions, I always want to know why something is and I tend to be very personable. When I was an intern, that role was easy to play- Everyone saw me as the kid in the office- and that was that. It was ok for me to be a little on the unprofessional side, because I was the intern. What I noticed as an intern though- my superiors responded to that, in my eyes, they saw someone ready to learn, someone who would listen to what they had to say and possibly, their words would make a difference in my life.

But now-I feel like I am lost a little in limbo. My e-mails (in my mind) are a little awkward- just not the way I typically communicate to people. I know that I need to be more professional, but the issue I am having is where can I draw the line between 'professional' and 'me'?

When is it ok to relate to others with my own spunk? Yes, I want to be taken seriously- and gain the respect of my peers and superiors, but how can I show them who I am if I am awkward communicating with them?

This is one problem that they did not teach us how to solve in college: how to hold one's identity when moving through the working world. I do not want to lose my spunk- my 'brandi-ness', but HOW do I actually do that?

Lesson learning right now:

How to evolve my self- not change (just because I do not believe people can actually change... they can evolve- but you are who you are)- into the working person- How to relate to others in the work place. If only they taught this in college....

Its funny, I can be friends with almost everyone- because for the most part, I like everyone i meet- but how can I work with them too?

peace, love, and keeping that spunk always,

b