The Calm Before the Storm

Friday 8:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.

I want to put at the beginning of each of my posts the hours I work. Hopefully this gives those interested in banking an idea of what is in store. They won't be completely accurate (as you will see) because as an intern I want to be in early and stay late to show my desire and work ethic. I am wound tighter than a spring and hopefully you can see why.

Friday was the big day, we had to be in the office at 8:30 for more training. I left a little early to see what the commute was like. It takes me 20-30 minutes to drive to work. The commute was not bad.

When I got in I immediately met the office manager who hands me a folder full of more paper and she says, "You need to set up your phone, let me walk you to your desk." So I sit down to set up my phone and the password they gave me doesn't work. Great, already I have to go find someone and ask a dumb question--but wait! I utilize easy resource #1--other interns.

On my blackberry I send a message to two other interns who, come to find out, have the same problem and the office manager is now aware.

My office is nice. I sit next to an associate and another intern. I have two windows; one faces the courtyard and one faces the balcony. The room I am in is located directly next to the MD's office who I interviewed with. The intern from my school is located in the diagonally opposite corner of the building.

The day ended up being kind of slow. We had 2 bankers come in to talk to us about why this office is so cool and gave a presentation with tombstones and the whole bit. The first thing they say when they walk in, "Take your ties and suit coats off. You look ridiculous and it make us feel uncomfortable." They go on to explain how in this office they work with very laid back clients who wear shorts and sandals to work. In order for them to trust you, you have to be on their level of comfort. If you look tight-they feel tight, and you lose the deal. They said the only time they really wear suits is for bake offs and other really high class events, but when you are sitting down for a meeting with the CEO of Yahoo, your tie will kill the deal.

One of the MDs came in and talked to us for a minute. He basically gave us a pep rally. After he talked to us we met our staffer. He is the go-to guy to get put on a project. Hearing from him that we are staffed is first priority. Then he broke the news, "Most likely none of you will be staffed this weekend. So enjoy your weekend." WHAT?!? No, no, no. Bankers don't get weekends off. So I raised my hand, "That's it? We don't need to come in? All I know is that the books I have read never mention weekends off." He smiled and explained how no one likes face time here. Get your work done and go home. This did not help the fact that I was wound tighter than a spring. So now, rather than letting loose and ripping into some project. I will stay wound all weekend, great. At about 11:00 they let us loose until 12:30.

I went back to my desk and started reading the material they gave us. Then I get this email from an analyst that says, "Hey you guys. I see a lot of you are just sitting around and that's probably not a good idea in a bear market. You should make an effort to meet so and so." I was a little confused. I read it again. Then I realized this is a joke. Think about it. One analyst is sending an email to go see another analyst? I can imagine this other analyst getting flooded with interns just saying, "Hey I just wanted to meet you." And who uses the bear market as a reason to not sit around? Is it okay to sit around in a bull market?

So I decide to got introduce myself to the analyst who sent the message. I walked in and said, "I really didn't understand your email."

"What didn't you understand?"

"My portfolio is doing great, as far as I am concerned there is no bear market." He just looked at me and smiled.

At 12:30 we had comps training. 10x more effective than the training in NY! We had another break where I went back to my desk. As I was looking at some stuff, the MD whose office is right next door came in and said, "There's a face I recognize. Come on over to my office." What a great guy. Here I am this little intern, and we chat for 10 minutes. He asks about NY and how things are going so far. It's nice to know I will be working with such great people.

We had another training on how to use the phones. I realized that part of this steep learning curve is all these trainings. To the extent that you can be really fluent in all the programs and services you can spend more time on the actual work.

At 4:00 we had a reception for all the new interns. All the bankers from analyst to MD came. It was held on the front balcony of the office. Of course the highlight for everyone was the alcohol. I mingled and met different bankers. One thing that REALLY impressed me was that everyone I told my name to--from admins to MDs--remembered it. I wasn't so good at remembering theirs. Not that I got caught saying, "Sorry, what was your name again?" Just that when the reception was over, I couldn't remember half the people that knew me.

At 6:00 we were done I organized my paperwork and left at 7:00. That night I went to a movie with some friends, and called it a night.