When we recent graduates land our first job, many of us are eager to do anything that’s asked of us in exchange for that pay cheque. The feeling of working provides such a thrill that we’re prepared to put up with any menial task, and even a little condescension, to get it.

After all, mastering the stapler and saying “Of course!” is a small price to pay for getting to whip out our business card every time we meet someone new. There comes a time, though, when our jobs call for more than efficiency and attention to detail, and we have to take risks and command respect.

When we take that leap within the same organization, it’s just a promotion. But a promotion entails more than increased responsibility and workload. It also means changing the way our colleagues think of us, and that’s not as easy as it seems.

When I first started working, I approached my job like a typical recent graduate – without reservation. One of my first jobs, a maternity-leave replacement at an international development organization in Montreal, consisted of administrating the funding of small groups in the Middle East and in Latin America. I kept files up to date, sent out contracts for signing, registered banking information and answered technical queries. The work was tangible and rewarding, and I really enjoyed it.

The maternity-leave ended and I obtained a position as a communications officer in another department. My situation and expectations changed drastically. I suddenly had extensive responsibilities, wrote official texts and spoke to journalists as a representative of the organization. The transition into this new job consisted of moving my plants to anew office and changing my email signature.

However, my relationships with my colleagues did not adapt so quickly. They had all met me when I was first hired; shy and smiling too much, saying yes to everything and doing it all as quickly as I could. I hadn’t minded when they told me I was cute or that they had a daughter or son my age. I just thought I was lucky to have a job and be earning enough to go on trips and indulge in the occasional all-you-can-eat sushi binge.

But when I moved up, I didn’t want to be cute anymore. I started wearing suit jackets and speaking out at meetings, occasionally shouting out “I disagree!” with great enthusiasm. I tried to seem serious and contribute meaningfully to decision-making.

Most of my colleagues were excited for me, but not all. For months, I received emails asking me to perform tasks pertaining to my former job – things that were never asked of the other communications officer, a 45-year-old man. I tried to forward these requests to the appropriate person, but I also sometimes ignored them. I was no longer as eager to please as I was eager to prove myself.

It took some time, but eventually my colleagues got used to seeing me in my new position. They never completely forgot about my age, but as I started to have a bit more confidence, they thought about it less often. In the end, I didn’t so much change my colleagues as I changed myself. When I stopped doubting that I could be a professional and just started being one, others stopped doubting too.

There’s no real way around being insecure – it happens to most of us and it’s part of growing up. But recent grads have more to bring to a job than youthful enthusiasm. If we believe in ourselves, others will too.