Almost a year ago, I began working for a tech strategic communications firm in San Francisco. Focused on high-technology and business-to-business enterprise, I transitioned from my political reporting and liberal arts background to building integrated stories and media campaigns for companies whose value proposition was centered on innovations I never knew even existed until then. The learning curve was steep but well worth it, so I hope some of the tech tips I’ve learned in my experience can help you demystify the tech industry and your new job.

Whenever I travel to a foreign country and don’t know the language, kind strangers typically help with directions. However, I typically know a city better when I get lost and have to reroute my path. If there’s one thing I bring to any scenario, it’s being comfortable with making mistakes while striving for a new destination. My travels have taught me a valuable lesson on approaching new territory, on how to hone that internal compass and adapt to a new environment. Assimilating into a foreign country is very similar to assimilating into a company culture. Since starting my new position as Account Coordinator at Eastwick three weeks ago, I’ve never felt more like a foreign exchange student.

There are many facets when it comes to immersing yourself into a new job; I’ve vacillated between excitement and being overwhelmed, much like tossing a coin of a different currency. However, in education, over-stimulation isn’t always a detrimental thing.

On-boarding with a tech strategic communications firm comes with a steep learning curve and absolutely no delay on practicing those new lessons. New protocol, acronyms, and industry know-how have inundated my inbox and brain as I’ve managed my way through conversations on security encryption or big data analytics.

Technology was a world that was always at my fingertips; however the details were invisible to me until working here. Now, I delve into the nooks and crannies of innovation, trying to read as much as possible. What I once thought was esoteric—APIs, mobile software, SaaS— is so prevalent in my everyday life that it’s nearly impossible to disconnect.

While the information explosion is overwhelming, it’s been a thrilling ride along the Eastwick road, my coworkers acting as sage Sherpas or translators. I’m fortunate to be welcomed into an established collective of vibrant personalities, methodologies, and friendships.

Eastwickers never cease to impress me with their eloquence, leadership and ability to distill highbrow technological innovation into a newsworthy story. It’s an art to be innovation tastemakers or have the foresight to identify technology on the horizon before it’s in front of your nose as a headline.

But what’s most exciting is how progressive Eastwickers are, heavily invested in professional and personal development, which is always at the helm of our internal initiatives.

Eventually, I’ll no longer be considered new to Eastwick; that feeling of being a foreign exchange student will dissolve into the everyday ether and the customs will become second nature. That day will most likely be when a new Eastwicker crosses the threshold of our San Francisco loft.

Below are my tech tips I’ve learned in my new role:

Ask as many questions as possible—even the most obvious questions. Compel yourself to be more inquisitive. Company culture is embedded; sometimes your fellow colleague might not recognize it as something unfamiliar.

Contribute to the conversation. The best way to learn a new language is to engage. Don’t be afraid to voice an opinion, or a new perspective. At a strategic communications firm, there are many strategies to implement, so while brainstorming, it’s best to put all the ideas on the table.

Ask for feedback. There’s nothing better than getting live constructive criticism on how you drafted a report, how to approach research, or which resources to access. At Eastwick, it’s not a zero-sum game where one employee wins while the other one loses. Your team’s success is your success, so it’s important we always up our game.

Compartmentalize your work. Stay focused on the project at hand; it’s so easy to get overwhelmed. As an Account Coordinator, you are multitasking within each team, while also juggling multiple clients. You’re the glue and the information hub. Break down your responsibilities into manageable goals, so you accomplish them to the best of your ability without becoming frayed. As Anne Lamott writes, take every assignment bird by bird.

Read everything. Hyperlinks are doorways to walk through and explore. So click, then read, then find another article and click again.

Focus on vocabulary. Pick up on the new words your company uses. Every culture has a vernacular. At Eastwick you might hear “best practices,” “crowdsource,” “word cloud,” or “magic quadrant.” Within my first week, I sent an e-mail beginning “just wanted to write to…” I promptly received a response from a thoughtful Senior V.P. who highlighted my use of the word “just.” She wrote: “The word “just” is almost always worth cutting. It dilutes impact and authority. In a sense, it “justifies,” and that’s something no one likes to do. We remind each other around here to “JUST” say no. Nifty, eh?” I appreciated that she took the time to help me improve as a communicator. Then she signed her e-mail with, “Glad you’re here.”

And finally, be okay with not knowing everything. Sometimes being an expert doesn’t mean you’re a know-it-all. An expert is self-aware in what they know, what they are learning, and what lies outside their realm.

Even as I write this, I feel presumptuous. What do I know about assimilating into company culture? It’s been three weeks! However, it’s my job to figure things out, research, double-check, and pose questions. But most importantly, after all that background work, it’s important to highlight insights and follow up with strategies to execute. One of our Eastwick methodologies is to understand how our ideas correspond to action, and we’re always thinking ahead as we push forward. I hope these tech tips help you navigate your next role in your industry.