new job.

by paul, on 08.06.2007

today I started my new job at <insert name of large investment bank here>. I know, it's kind of lame not to put the name of the place but I did spend all day in orientation hearing about how it's not cool to talk to the press or write stuff about the firm, so I'm sure the 3 people reading my blog (hi mom) won't mind.

the orientation was actually semi interesting, it's a big company so they have lots of programs and facilities and investment plans and benefits and all that type of stuff (highlights include a running club, a gym that costs more the higher up you are in the company, and roth 401ks). my orientation was for "experienced hires" (i.e. not recent grads), and every single person there had previously worked at a bank. I guess the hr guy wasn't kidding when he told me they rarely hired out of industry. anyways I just said I worked in the music business and the hr lady asked me in front of everyone which area. although it took every ounce of self restraint I could muster not to say that I was a fluffer on the last prince tour, I managed to mumble something about digital music and software and tried not to laugh at this awesome mental image I had of the hr lady recoiling in horror. if there's one thing I am good at it's laughing at my own jokes so keeping quiet really took a lot out of me and I had to get another cup of coffee afterwards.

the rest of orientation was fairly uneventful, after that I swung by my new office and met with my new boss and tech lead, both of whom seem pretty cool and interesting. they took me to a meeting where a bunch of economists were talking about credit spreads, which I just learned about recently so I thought that was pretty interesting, I really got the feeling I am going to be learning a lot at my new gig. there definitely seem to be a lot of really smart people that work there, and working with people smarter than you is good stuff. being married to a person that is smarter than you is even better stuff, but I'm getting off topic again which is right behind laughing at my own jokes in the short list of stuff I am good at.