Summer internship rants and raves

Question

Hey all,

How's the summer going? If you are in banking, I'm guessing you'll see this post only after your internship. If, however, you are doing something else, please share.

I just finished my first week at work. A few stories to get us started.

Rants:
- First day I had to work 9 - 5 and I was exhausted. It's funny how you can survive sleeping 4-5 hours a day and get lots of things done when in school , but are completely out of training with staying focused and productive for 8+ hours straight (without a power nap!!!). 
- Commuting sucks. Commuting on a motorcycle sucks a little less, but it still sucks, specially when it's hot and you are stuck in rush hour jams.
- Getting up before 7am sucks. I want to go back to the 8-ish school schedule.

Raves:
- Getting a decent paycheck (or one in the making, at least) is a huge emotional push, after seeing your account get depleted at a steady and faster-than-planned rate for an entire year.
- Feeling confident about a task or project that would have felt out of your league before school feels nice.
- Relating your job with what you've been learning for the past year feels great.

I guess that as school memories fade a little, I will be able to put things in perspective and start missing school. I'm predicting I'll start missing school around Thursday next week...

That's all I have for now. 
L.

89nk · Answer

Sounds exciting. So I am assuming your not in banking. May I ask what you are doing?

lepium · Answer

Strategy at a non consulting company.

L.

3underscore · Answer

Getting in at 7am and staying attentive till 5-6pm is really pretty tricky. The atmosphere is great (but I knew that), and they already seem keen to add a lot more diversity to my experience, with virtually all the desks wanting me to visit them at some point - you get placed on a bit, but get to roll around the full section.

One section I will be with for a few weeks looks absolutely fascinating. Difficult, complex, and very smart in what they are trying to do (and to be honest, quite prop-like in its trading). It is good that I am excited to be getting up when it is dark still, and funny to wind up all the Investment Bankers from the pub.

kryzak · Answer

great thread lepium!

I can remember back to when I did an internship in college/grad school, the 8 hour work day shock was pretty difficult for the first week or two. Then you settle into it and enjoy never having to worry about homework, extra reading, or tests. Most of the time, when you leave work, you're done.

Looking forward to hearing more from others too!