I often tell this to young people I meet at domestic and international companies.
When people hesitate to take minutes for negotiations, meetings, or act as the minute-taker, leaving it to their usual 'him' or 'her,' I tell them, 'You should proactively take the minutes.'
I'm not just saying abstractly that since 'you' are new, taking the initiative to do something will make you stronger, but that this proactive action has real meaning.
Will you simply list the facts as they are, or will you strategically construct communication while being creative, with 'yourself' at the center? This is the KEY.
Even if you think of yourself as a 'private' still, if you become the minute-taker, you'll see the whole picture of the work more clearly, and then you can become more creative and strategic.
As you write the minutes, you will strategically engage in higher-level communication with your colleagues and superiors than ever before. And the stakeholders will read your minutes. Everyone will follow your minutes. And everyone will ask you questions. And you will become the person who knows that 'something' best.
When you stand on the lookout post, it feels good wherever you go!