So just 3 or so days after getting back home from Atlanta for my 3-day PwC Orientation, I’m BAAAACK. But I guess I should do some backfill here.
The Orientation last week was great. I ended up meeting quite a few people and liking nearly all of them. What got hammered into our heads quite a bit during the sessions was that this job requires you to build a network. Dammit, I did. I’m thrilled so far to work in this company as there are a lot of motivated and fun people. I’m anxious still as I only want to do well in this position and I recognize that I have a lot yet to learn. But I do think I’ll be given the opportunity to improve and not be expected to be perfect immediately. Alright, I’m rambling – it’s been a whirlwind this week.
So on Tuesday night, during our final dinner event, I started hearing about Dallas Intl getting shut down due to freezing rain. Sure enough, it was, and my Wednesday evening American Airlines flight through there to LAX was cancelled. So I scrambled and ended up getting on US Airways via Charlotte, NC to LAX. Ah, the life of a traveler! I did finally get home to LA, where Larry picked me up. Got to sleep around 1am which was a bit frustrating as on Thursday, it was my first day in the LA office!
So while many of my nerves had gone away during the orientation in Atlanta, they came roaring back for my first day in the office. I need to chill! Things went good though, from the drive in (only 25 minutes or so, taking the 101S to the 110S) to the fact that the beginning of the day was a local orientation and there were people I knew and liked from Atlanta. I learned the dress code was business casual (score! although I better get to use my new suit more than just for my headshot!) and that PwC LA practices the “hoteling” concept for desks/offices. Basically, if you are planning to be in the office the next day, you make a reservation in the scheduling system for an available desk. When you then go in that next day, when you sit down and turn your computer on, it’ll “check you in” automatically and the desk phone there updates to your details. It’s pretty cool. A paradigm shift for sure, but I’m liking it so far.
Friday was my first hoteling day and also more time spent to complete administrative tasks and training assignments. I then got to meet people I’ll be likely working with locally, including my buddy and one of the directors there. A “buddy” in this case means the person PwC assigns you to that you can ask questions and feel at ease with. They’re typically your same level and in my case, they also work in the same group. He’s a great guy and helped put me at ease. I also finally finally joined up to an affinity group – I never did it at NBCU as I guess I got jaded; so here I went to the LGBT group’s kickoff meeting (great timing!) and made some more friends and contacts. And there was champagne and cupcakes! Good times. All in all, a great first week. Exhausting though.
On Saturday, it was my only day for doing things with Larry around the apartment, and we were very productive. Not only did I get my box of documents destroyed at the UPS Store, we took more stuff to Goodwill. Then we went to IKEA and got our new desks and a laundry room shelf system for the new place. I think we’re gonna like it there! Let’s just say it’s very very gay friendly. And also the IKEA stuff will make our new place look great. I’m excited to move! We’re probably going to shoot for two weeks from now….farewell, Franklin Hills!
And now I’m back in Atlanta. I’m nowhere near as stressed as I was last Sunday night before my first day at PwC. I’m thankful. Tomorrow is a one-day training and then I head home to LA in the evening. I’m sleepy just thinking about it! Anyway, I’ve got to get some sleep soon. Here are some pics…UPDATE: It seems I can’t easily link pics via the iPad site. I’ll edit this later this week. (This mobile app really bothers me.) The update has occurred! Pictures pictures pictures!
5 replies on “Back in Atlanta”
Found your site when I was googling trying to find out info on this 3 day training with PwC. I just got hired and I found out today that i would be going to Atlanta for 3 days. Totally don’t know what to expect! excited and nervous all at the same time!
Hi Marie – I obviously can’t speak with utmost authority on what your experience is going to be like, but if you go in with an open and eager mind, you’ll end up meeting a lot of great people. Some you may never see again, but some you definitely will, whether it’s keeping in touch or running into them as you get into different engagements. You’re going to sit through a lot of presentations, but they always mix up the seating so you have the opportunity to network and meet others. It can be intimidating at first especially if you don’t know anybody there, but I found just being the one to introduce myself helps break the ice. You’ll likely make some friends while also networking like crazy. The 3 days go by really fast, so enjoy it! After that, it’s time to get to work! 🙂
Oh! Also, a big congratulations on joining PwC, and welcome!
Thanks so much for the info. So was everything in that Hotel by the airport? Do you ever leave that place, or are you there all 3 days?
Yeah, everything takes place at the hotel, including dinner. Obviously those with energy afterwards went into Atlanta for more fun, but I was glad to relax at the end of each day.