Let’s see if you can guess the correct answer to the following question.

(Q) The final day of summer vacation is:
(A.1) September 14th
(A.2) August 17th
(A.3) Never! I never had a summer vacation.

If you’ve selected (A.2), you’re correct! Well, you’re right only if you’re one of my friends who attend a semester-style university. This early return date makes it extremely difficult for me to enjoy the remaining summer months with my friends seeing that they’re already preparing to head back to school. Fortunately, this is not the precise date in which return to OSU.

If you’ve selected (A.3) you’re close but still wrong. Although my summer has been quite hectic working fulltime, I’ve still managed to enjoy my downtime and weekends by attending Cleveland Indians games and golfing with family, friends, and coworkers.

Congratulations if you’ve selected (A.1)! September 14th looks to be the last day of summer vacation as I plan on moving into Morrill Tower on the 15th. I am planning to wrap up my summer internship by the 13th and will make the trek from Cleveland to Youngstown and then down to Columbus all within a 3 day span.

Still, as my friends and I prepare for summer’s end, we are hoping for at least one last ‘hoorah’ before we – once again – go our separate ways. It feels as though classes have just let out, and yet we’re already pressed for time to go back! My advice to everyone: Enjoy August!

Posted by Signal_Caller at 10:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I’ve realized that 45 hour work weeks in your soon-to-be field of expertise can not only be full of knowledge but tiring as well.

While in the office, I’ve spent countless hours in training with both real and mock clients to further improve my familiarity with the retirement practice. When adding these brain-busting hours to nights filled with social events spent with fellow coworkers, the last thing running through my mind this summer has been college life.

Contrary to my friends back on campus, I’ve yet to spend an exorbitant amount of thought on midterms, student organizations, nor even receiving my degree. Rather, I’ve been looking to the future as I can easily foresee how my life will shape in the upcoming years. My book bag will soon be replaced by a briefcase. Optional off-campus parties will be overshadowed by necessary Happy Hours. And, dormitory living will soon be overtaken by a suburban ranch. My way of life will change for good, and I have already begun to see these changes to my mindset.

Just two months ago, I was certain that Ohio State was the greatest place in the world (which it still is!). However, I am highly enjoying the typical work week and exploring new options within my field. Alas, I am beginning to view college as more of a stepping stone to a future career rather than a career in it of itself.

Posted by Signal_Caller at 10:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The second day of work this summer, I was encouraged by one of the younger associates to join our company’s Cleveland Corporate Challenge team.

For those of you unaware of this seasonal downtown occurrence, the Cleveland Corporate Challenge is a series of various Olympic-styled athletic events in which the participants/teams record points by placing in each event throughout the summer. At the conclusion of the summer, the point tallies of the companies’ teams reveal the Cleveland Corporate Challenge winner during a celebration at Jacobs Field.

To date, I’ve participated in the softball tournament and will tentatively play for the basketball team and tug-of-war squad. So far, our co-ed teams have faired quite well in our events – remaining just a few spots behind the division leader. However, the friendships I have created with my coworkers and their respective family and friends are the real reasons why I have adapted to my new surroundings so smoothly.

This participation has lead to other social interaction with coworkers which range from golf outings and Indians games to happy hours and picnics. Although I was never too concerned, my family had wondered how I’d pass my leisure time living in a new city on my own. Luckily, the right pieces sometimes fall perfectly into place.

Posted by Signal_Caller at 11:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Now, I’ve worked a fulltime job before, but never when living on my own. I’ll be the first to admit that I have a newfound appreciation for those who effectively manage their daily responsibilities while fully contributing to their work environment as well.

After arriving at home around 5:30 pm from a hard day’s work, my immediate thoughts move to preparing dinner for myself followed by a quick daily workout. In a blink of an eye, my day flies from waking up around 6:00 am to finally settling in around 7:00 pm.

With that being said, I barely have enough time trying to fit in all of my wanted (and some needed) activities such as viewing or participating in athletics, shopping, socializing, and cleaning. I’m awed to think that people often raise families in similar – and even more hectic – environments than mine.

They say that internships prepare you for a specific line of work, but I’m now realizing it’s also teaching me other valuable life skills, such as prioritization, that will remain with me for as long as I live.

Posted by Signal_Caller at 8:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Nearly four weeks have passed on my internship in the retirement consulting practice, and I can humbly admit that I still have much to learn.

In comparing my daily workload with that of my prior collegiate coursework, only the basic mathematical principles remain useful. Simple problem solving and extensive theoretical approaches that I had once been tested to death in class at OSU are merely hindsight as I now fudge 8 digit pension funds and allow computer software programs to equate liability and asset funding.

I am very appreciative that my employer offers all interns and newly hired associates the opportunity to engage in training sessions during paid office hours. During these sessions – which usually range between 2-4 hours a day – senior consultants explain the ins and outs of our practice in easy to understand language. Following these sessions, I am given some sample projects with actual clients to test out each new assumption or software program. I consider this assistance to be critical in order to comprehend the multitude of complicated processes that I have been thrown into.

All in all, my employer often voices that it would be next to impossible for me to understand EVERYTHING there is to know about the business which helps to reassure my occasional doubts.

Posted by Signal_Caller at 10:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)