I just realized I have comments on my blog! They’ve apparently been there for about a month but I just noticed them. Obviously, I have not been the best at keeping this blog, but I have reasons.
I noticed the comments were about my internship. And that very little guy, Mr. Internship, is what is keeping me from this blog. I just can’t fathom looking at a computer screen after I get home from work. I can watch t.v., but that’s as much screen as I can tolerate. I tend to avoid my phone, and my poor lab top must feel quite sad. During school he’s my best bud, but now it’s just not the same. My facebook has even felt the pain; I just don’t visit it as much anymore.
But Dr. King sent us a “get serious email,” and when I finally checked my email (which I now do about once a month) I thought “oh shat, i’m totally slacking.” So I’m trying to do better. Even though I am deathly sick of computer screens from staring at one all day, I must do my homework! Anyway, I think I’ll write a little about my internship, since it is the very reason I dislike monitors and thus, avoid this class work.
I work at Credit Suisse; a Swiss bank, headquartered in gorgeous Zurich. I work in the Private Banking division as a Marketing Intern. The marketing team in which I work consists of six characters; 3 main, and 3 supporting. They are all ladies ranging in age from 24 to 39. (It took me about five weeks to figure out ages but I got most of them- for some reason I need to know ages of people when I get to know them.)
The cast hails from all over. Two of the ladies are from Switzerland; one is Chinese from Hong Kong & England. One is form the Philippines and came to the U.S. for college. Then there are two Americans, one of whom speaks Italian. It’s quite a nice mix, plus there are some great accents.
The private bank works with insanely wealthy people. To be a P.Bing client, you must have upwards of $20 million. Some clients have a $4 billion net worth. I can’t picture that much money, but it’s out there. Today I heard a story about a family with 70 million, whose kid just graduated from a good college, and is now living in his car in Colorado, river rafting all summer. (Yes, I am outrageously jealous.)
The head of the marketing team, Fiona is an extraordinary lady. She is incredibly nice--she gets everything done without ever pissing anyone off. That is quite a golden characteristic in any business setting. I can tell she’s awesome at marketing-- and I barley know anything about marketing. Fiona and her underlings think of strategic programs to retain and gain clients. It’s all about pleasing the uber-rich, so the people who manage their money (people like my dad) can make a nice living. It’s kind of funny the way it works. Anyway, they think of events, make brochures, and tons of other things...
Above Fiona is a “managing director.” He’s probably mid-50s and has a daughter one year younger than me. He knows my Dad, so he introduced himself to me the first day, (managing directors normally could not care less about interns.) This guy is one of the elite; he has an office! He’s the one whose window I can see out of! I feel comfortable around him because he reminds me of my best friend’s dad. This is kind of risky because I let my sarcastic, ‘wry’ (as Dr. king said) sense of humor run free with him.
He told my Dad in so many words, that ‘I don’t take crap from anyone. (Which by the way is quite false, but I guess that’s the way I am with him.)
Last week I got worried though, he said, “you’re going to go far with your sarcastic answer to everything.” But, I quickly dropped my concern when he proceeded to make fun of my bright yellow nail polish the next day and, CCed me in an email to my dad regarding my ‘gross’ nails.
Occasionally he throws on a jam around 4.30 to loosen up for the end of the day. Yesterday, he called me into his office and asked me to name my favorite song. I was quite hesitant, but with coaxing, I gave in. My favorite song is “Going to California,” by Led Zeppelin. Once I disclosed my song he searched for it on youtube and couldn’t find it, “Is this one of those songs kids sit around and smoke weed to?” he asked. I awkwardly stammered, “Maybe” and laughed, not expecting such an intimidating question. Which he followed up by, “what decade were you born in?” Finally he located the song, which he said was “slow.” My song choice was not his cup of tea, but at least it was interesting.
There are many characters in the office besides just the marketing team. There are some
--quirky interns --a vegan managing director who eats bags of lettuce for lunch---John McGinley’s brother (dr. cox from scrubs.) & --sleveless girl.
This one girl, aprox. 24, always has a sleeveless shirt on! In my head, I call her “sleeveless girl.” I’ve never actually met her, but I see her almost everyday.
Her cubicle is on the way to the marketing closet. The marketing closet is where we throw the extra brochures, booklets, client gifts, and event necessities. It smells of bubble wrap and cardboard. I spend a lot of time in there, fetching things for my co-workers.
The marketing closet is an organized, bland looking, sanctuary. I love going on trips to the closet. I can go in there and shut the door for a little get away. It is time alone; I can take my shoes off and dance around--because for a moment, 30 people can’t see what I am doing at all times. I enjoy the marketing closet, maybe more than the entire cast of characters.
And yes, I have danced around in there, because why not?
(that came dangerously close to a hillary duff song lyric which is embarrassing.)
That's the gist of my internship, what I do and where I fit in during all of this, is not that important, I'm just an intern after all.
Credit Suisse NY office:
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