creatures of habit
I started my new job today! Despite the snow over the weekend, I was able to get into the Loop fairly easily and the first day went as first days do.
It feels strange to work at such a large company! The prefectural office in Tottori was huge too, but because it was divided into floors and departments, it didn't feel so crazy. The office I'm in is an entire floor of people, around a hundred probably, and in the entire day I met maybe a dozen of them. It felt impersonal, but maybe that's how these things go. Luckily, another girl started today in the same position, so I have a training buddy.
I think I'll be able to gauge things better once I start actually doing work. Being in setup/orientation limbo isn't the most fun for anyone.
The benefits of a company this size in the tech industry are effing amazing, though. Free catered lunch every day, Uber credits, discounted gym (and other AnyPerk stuff), obviously health, 401k, free snacks, fun workspace, Macbook, transportation pass... I'm not sure how you could live life without once you've tasted this sort of fruit.
The other thing that struck me was being surrounded by so many people who are really around my age. I am pretty bad at estimating exactly, but my co-workers are predominantly twentysomethings and thirtysomethings, which is unremarkable until you factor in how they're living their lives. Within 10 minutes of conversing with at least 2/3rds of the people I met today, they made some mention of a significant other or spouse - or they were wearing an obvious ring. I thought young people in the US were still all living loose and free, but maybe not!
I don't have internet yet in my apartment, but in other respects I'm close to settled. With some cleaning supplies, some furniture, some more organizational tools, I'll be ready to start getting into things... if the weather will cooperate.
It feels strange to work at such a large company! The prefectural office in Tottori was huge too, but because it was divided into floors and departments, it didn't feel so crazy. The office I'm in is an entire floor of people, around a hundred probably, and in the entire day I met maybe a dozen of them. It felt impersonal, but maybe that's how these things go. Luckily, another girl started today in the same position, so I have a training buddy.
I think I'll be able to gauge things better once I start actually doing work. Being in setup/orientation limbo isn't the most fun for anyone.
The benefits of a company this size in the tech industry are effing amazing, though. Free catered lunch every day, Uber credits, discounted gym (and other AnyPerk stuff), obviously health, 401k, free snacks, fun workspace, Macbook, transportation pass... I'm not sure how you could live life without once you've tasted this sort of fruit.
The other thing that struck me was being surrounded by so many people who are really around my age. I am pretty bad at estimating exactly, but my co-workers are predominantly twentysomethings and thirtysomethings, which is unremarkable until you factor in how they're living their lives. Within 10 minutes of conversing with at least 2/3rds of the people I met today, they made some mention of a significant other or spouse - or they were wearing an obvious ring. I thought young people in the US were still all living loose and free, but maybe not!
I don't have internet yet in my apartment, but in other respects I'm close to settled. With some cleaning supplies, some furniture, some more organizational tools, I'll be ready to start getting into things... if the weather will cooperate.