Starting a new job is a major milestone. It’s exciting, a little intimidating, and often filled with questions about what to expect. From meeting new coworkers to learning unfamiliar systems and adjusting to a new environment, the first few days at any company can feel overwhelming. At LCS, however, onboarding is designed to make new employees feel welcomed, supported, and confident from day one.
What sets the LCS onboarding experience apart is that it’s not viewed as a one-day orientation or a brief introduction. Instead, it marks the beginning of a long-term support system centered around growth, connection, and professional development. At the heart of that experience are the company’s Professional Development Coaches (PDCs), who help guide employees throughout their careers at LCS. In many ways, having a PDC creates a built-in “buddy system,” giving employees a trusted resource they can consistently turn to throughout their time with the company. In fact, 87% of companies report that having a buddy system improves productivity and helps new hires adapt to their new environment.
More Than an Introduction
When new hires arrive at LCS on their first day, they are immediately welcomed into an environment intentionally built for employee comfort. Instead of simply receiving a schedule and being left to navigate things independently, employees are paired with a Professional Development Coach who becomes one of the first key relationships they build at the company.
Professional Development Coaches are much more than trainers or onboarding coordinators. They are mentors, advocates, and long-term career resources who work closely with employees throughout their time at LCS. From the very beginning, PDCs help answer questions, introduce company resources, and ensure employees feel connected to the organization.
For many employees, having a dedicated support person provides immediate relief from new-job jitters. Instead of feeling like they are figuring everything out alone, new hires quickly realize they have someone in their corner who is invested in helping them succeed.
Your First Look at Life at LCS
One of the first experiences new employees share with their PDC is a guided tour of the LCS campus. This tour introduces employees to their new workspace and its amenities, including collaborative meeting rooms, walking paths, coffee stations, a fitness center, and more. Also on display during the tour is the culture behind the company, as new employees begin building connections with their future teams and learn more about the welcoming atmosphere that defines LCS.
This early interaction matters. Starting a new role can sometimes feel isolating, especially in a large organization. By taking the time to personally walk employees through the office, answer questions, and explain the purpose behind different teams and spaces, PDCs help new hires feel like they belong from the very start.
Building Relationships from Day One
Another memorable part of onboarding at LCS is the opportunity to have lunch with your supervisor. While it may seem like a small gesture, it plays an important role in helping employees settle into their new role.
Sharing a meal together creates a relaxed environment where conversations happen naturally. It gives new employees a chance to learn more about their team, ask questions, and start building relationships outside of formal meetings or training sessions. Instead of spending the first day feeling like “the new person,” employees begin forming genuine connections immediately.
This focus on connection reflects one of the defining aspects of the LCS culture. Collaboration and teamwork are deeply embedded in how the company operates, and onboarding is designed to reinforce that from the very beginning.
A Career-Long Support System
What truly makes the Professional Development Coach program unique is that the relationship does not end after onboarding. Employees meet regularly with their PDC throughout their careers at LCS, using their coach as a resource for continued professional growth. A study conducted by Microsoft found that buddy programs provide socialization and support that can positively impact employees’ early performance and long-term retention. That same philosophy is reflected in the PDC program at LCS, where employees have an ongoing support system designed to help them grow, navigate challenges, and make the most of their experience with the company.
These recurring meetings give employees a dedicated space to discuss goals, challenges, growth opportunities, and overall career development. PDCs help employees shape their experience at LCS, whether that means pursuing leadership opportunities, improving communication skills, setting professional goals, or exploring different paths within the company.
Consistent conversations focused on development empower employees beyond their immediate day-to-day responsibilities. They reinforce the idea that LCS is invested not only in the work employees produce but also in their long-term personal and professional growth.
For more experienced employees, PDCs offer perspective, support, and accountability as career goals evolve. Regardless of role or tenure, the relationship remains focused on employee success and everyone’s unique LCS experience.
Creating a Culture of Growth
The Professional Development Coach program also reflects a larger philosophy at LCS: investing in people creates stronger teams, stronger leaders, and a stronger company culture.
Many organizations focus heavily on onboarding logistics such as paperwork, systems access, and technical training. While those elements are important, LCS also emphasizes helping employees feel valued, supported, and connected.
That commitment to employee growth is visible throughout the organization. Employees are encouraged to ask questions, explore opportunities, build relationships across departments, and continuously develop new skills. PDCs help reinforce those values by serving as a consistent source of encouragement and guidance throughout an employee’s career.
A Different Kind of First Day
The relationships built through the Professional Development Coach program continue throughout an employee’s time at LCS, helping individuals grow while making the most of every opportunity the company has to offer.
Starting a new job will always come with some uncertainty. But at LCS, employees are never expected to navigate that journey alone.
May is recognized nationwide as Mental Health Awareness Month, dedicated to raising awareness, expanding education, and reducing the stigma surrounding...
