West Yost’s Quarterly Onboarding Day: New Team Member Connections and Learning

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On July 17th, West Yost held its latest Quarterly Onboarding Day, a multi-purposed event designed to welcome new team members and immerse them in the West Yost culture. The day was packed with engaging activities aimed at fostering connections, learning about our different departments & sectors, and celebrating firm-wide achievements. This structured onboarding program has proven benefits, supported by industry research, enhancing new hire integration, job satisfaction, and team collaboration.

Warm Welcome and Gift Bags

The day began with coffee and pastries, providing a warm welcome to the new hires. Each attendee received a gift bag filled with goodies, including a badge that proudly announced, “I’m New!” This initial warm welcome helps new team members feel valued and sets a positive tone for their onboarding experience. It also tipped off fellow team members to say hi and help them out!

“I really enjoyed the Quarterly Onboarding Event, as it was a great way to get to know other new employees. It was nice that the working groups were mixed between different offices and sectors because I got to meet a lot of people I don’t normally interact with on a daily basis. I also appreciated getting to meet the team members in the Davis office who I’ve worked with virtually but hadn’t had the opportunity to talk to in person. Having the chance to compare experiences, talk about our work, and just chat about life allowed us to make personal connections that can’t be established as easily through Teams or email.”

Mika Mar, Engineer I

Scavenger Hunt with West Yost Rangers

New West Yosters were divided into teams for an exciting scavenger hunt. They navigated the Davis office, visiting with “West Yost Rangers” to learn about various departments and sectors. By answering questions based on their initial onboarding sessions, they earned clues leading them to the next Ranger, promoting both learning and trust building. Did you know, according to the Human Capital Institute (HCI), such engaging activities can lead to a 50% increase in productivity among new hires!

Coffee with Leadership and Speed Networking

A coffee session with leadership followed, where new hires used “West Yost Speed Networking” cards to facilitate insightful conversations about their potential career journeys. This session offered a unique opportunity for new team members to connect with leadership and gain valuable insights. Employees who undergo a structured onboarding process are 58% more likely to stay with the organization after three years, according to the Wynhurst Group.

Interactive Workshops

Throughout the day, different groups within West Yost conducted engaging and interactive workshops. These sessions provided deeper insights into how teams like IT, Communications, and Marketing, HR, Accounting, Deliverables and Facilities can enhance the new hires’ journeys at West Yost. Such interactions help new hires understand how their roles fit into the larger organizational context, fostering stronger team collaboration and opportunities.

Monthly Campfires Team Meeting

The day coincided with West Yost’s monthly Campfires meeting, a time to update the entire firm, celebrate promotions, anniversaries, and professional achievements. This gathering, which includes team members from all over, both in-person and virtually, also serves as a platform to share firm news, collaboration opportunities, and professional development resources.

“With being so new to West Yost, the quarterly onboarding day was so beneficial to hear more about what other business sectors do and to learn about the crossover between sectors. My favorite part was that Leadership took the time to come and greet all of us and share advice and information. At most companies, you might get the opportunity to talk to one Leadership team member every once in a while, but to have the opportunity to speak to each member made me feel so welcome in the company.”

Rachel Schonwit, Engineer II

Afternoon Coffee and Closing Reception

In the afternoon, attendees enjoyed coffee from MILKA Coffee, a local favorite. The day concluded with a reception at Sudwerks, where Davis-based team members and new hires gathered to celebrate and connect, wrapping up the onboarding experience on a high note.

West Yost is committed to ensuring that team members feel supported both professionally and personally. We believe that when people have the tools and resources to grow, they can fully show up as their best selves. Happy people do good work, and by fostering a supportive and engaging environment, West Yost not only enhances individual well-being but also drives organizational success. According to the Journal of Applied Psychology, employees who experience better onboarding are more likely to perform well in their roles.

West Yost’s Quarterly Onboarding Day exemplifies the company’s commitment to creating a supportive and engaging environment for its new team members, setting the stage for their future success within the organization. This structured onboarding process not only accelerates integration and learning but also strengthens team collaboration and enhances overall employee performance.