Wow! Pretty awesome news!

[Juice Box]

So, the trading firm I have been 'interning' at for the past 3 summer/winter breaks (I'm 19m a Soph. in college) in Chicago just called me and informed me that their lead IT technician at their New York office has gone ill, and they are going to send me out there next week to help out for a week!!

This is probably one of the best opportunities I could ask for, in terms of work experience. It really means a lot that they trust me enough, for as young as I am in the professional world, to send me to one of their other offices alone. I fell in love with this job the second I stepped in the door 3 summers ago. It is one of the most unique companies I have ever heard of, and I get to be a part of it. (they have crazy benefits such as: paid lunch up to $8, free food/pop in the office at all times, paid cell phone bill, etc.)

Everytime I come back to work for one of my breaks, and then have to leave, I get begged by my co-workers to "drop out of school and just stay wnd work". While this does sound like a no-brainer solution...I know how the trading industry can be, and in two seconds, the company could be out of business. Meaning, if I just started working there and they tanked....I'd be left degree-less w/ nowhere to go.

Anyways, I'm just really excited about this New York trip, mainly because I have never been there, and I have been wanting to go for quite some time. (the fact that I get a 100% free trip there only makes it better ). So, if you all have any ideas of stuff for me to do at night, lemme know....cause as far as I know, it's going to be a very boring/lonely time at night after the workday is over.


(oh, and the reason it sucks is that I am going to be missing out on a week of Winter Break with my friends/family at home....but I'd say this is worth it )

Update: Heh.....got called back asking if Id be willing to go back out there on the Wednesday after xmas for another week.....=/ (again, i know its a great opportunity, but this would mean I'm losing half of my break to go to a city I've never been to alone.... =/)

 

[chowmein]

NYC is great. but you probably don't have the time to enjoy everything the city has to offer.

 

[altonb1]

Go to Central Park with a LOT of cash hanging out of your pockets, by yourself, late at night. That is good times.

I would try to hit Rockefeller center to see the Christmas tree, ice skating, etc. Otherwise, not sure.

 

[Al Neri]

come downtown and we'll get some dinner and drinks.

 

[Aimster]

youre only 19?
whaaaaaa

congrats future millionare

 

[Juice Box]

Originally posted by: Aimster
youre only 19?
whaaaaaa

congrats future millionare

Heh, maybe if I was a trader.....but alas, my interests lay in the IT field

 

[blackdogdeek]

there are probably a load of holiday parties next week at your firm. or the traders will be taking the IT group out for drinks.

where is your firm located? downtown? wall st. area? midtown?

 

[Juice Box]

Originally posted by: blackdogdeek
there are probably a load of holiday parties next week at your firm. or the traders will be taking the IT group out for drinks.

where is your firm located? downtown? wall st. area? midtown?

Well, from what I understand, the New York Office really isint all that big. (Chicago office, the main one, only has 150-200 employees...to give you an idea) As far as where it is located....I have no clue

 

[JujuFish]

Congratulations.

Originally posted by: Juice Box
free food/pop in the office at all times

:thumbsup:

 

[blackdogdeek]

Originally posted by: Juice Box

Originally posted by: blackdogdeek
there are probably a load of holiday parties next week at your firm. or the traders will be taking the IT group out for drinks.

where is your firm located? downtown? wall st. area? midtown?

Well, from what I understand, the New York Office really isint all that big. (Chicago office, the main one, only has 150-200 employees...to give you an idea) As far as where it is located....I have no clue

what do you like to do?

in the midtown area:

rockefeller center(ice skating rink, christmas tree)
nintendo world
st. patrick's cathedral
empire state building
times square

near wall st.:

ground zero
south street seaport
chinatown
EDIT: little italy

 

[Juice Box]

Originally posted by: blackdogdeek

Originally posted by: Juice Box

Originally posted by: blackdogdeek
there are probably a load of holiday parties next week at your firm. or the traders will be taking the IT group out for drinks.

where is your firm located? downtown? wall st. area? midtown?

Well, from what I understand, the New York Office really isint all that big. (Chicago office, the main one, only has 150-200 employees...to give you an idea) As far as where it is located....I have no clue

what do you like to do?

in the midtown area:

rockefeller center(ice skating rink, christmas tree)
nintendo world
st. patrick's cathedral
empire state building
times square

near wall st.:

ground zero
south street seaport
chinatown
EDIT: little italy

I will most likely check out ground zero for sure, as well as Times Square. Rockefeller Center is a classic, and I could see myself going there.

I guess the biggest factor in all of this is how much time I will have to do these things...and if I am in a good enough location to get to them easily. Definately gonna be a trip I have to plan by ear.

 

[Old Hippie]

Nice! Good Luck Juice Box! :thumbsup:

 

[blackdogdeek]

Originally posted by: Juice Box
I will most likely check out ground zero for sure, as well as Times Square. Rockefeller Center is a classic, and I could see myself going there.

I guess the biggest factor in all of this is how much time I will have to do these things...and if I am in a good enough location to get to them easily. Definately gonna be a trip I have to plan by ear.

the most important thing is to find out where your office is and where your hotel is. that will help determine what you can get to easily.

next week should be pretty slow (not as slow as the week between xmas and nye) and friday might be an early close so i would think you should have some decent tourist time.

when are you flying in? toys'r'us is getting a new shipment of wiis on 17 dec so you could always camp out there saturday night

 

[Juice Box]

Originally posted by: blackdogdeek

Originally posted by: Juice Box
I will most likely check out ground zero for sure, as well as Times Square. Rockefeller Center is a classic, and I could see myself going there.

I guess the biggest factor in all of this is how much time I will have to do these things...and if I am in a good enough location to get to them easily. Definately gonna be a trip I have to plan by ear.

the most important thing is to find out where your office is and where your hotel is. that will help determine what you can get to easily.

next week should be pretty slow (not as slow as the week between xmas and nye) and friday might be an early close so i would think you should have some decent tourist time.

when are you flying in? toys'r'us is getting a new shipment of wiis on 17 dec so you could always camp out there saturday night

As far as I'm aware, I'm flying out there this coming Monday sometime, and going home to Chicago either Friday or Saturday (doesnt make any sense to stay past then, as the office wouldnt be open until at least Tuesday).

I'd assume the office is near the NYSE/AMEX in some fashion, as that is where they trade. And as far as hotels go.....I have no idea, all I am going on is I was told "don't worry, we'll set you up nice" (hehe...i cannot wait )

 

[hookinitup]

if you are working for a chicago firm more than likely it's a futures/commodities opeartion, and when you go to new york you will probably be located close to the NYMEX (World Financial Center, One North End Avenue, New York, NY 10282-1101). I dont know if that is where the NYSE is aswell, but from the address it sure sounds like it. Which firm are you with if you dont mind me asking?

 

[Juice Box]

Originally posted by: hookinitup
if you are working for a chicago firm more than likely it's a futures/commodities opeartion, and when you go to new york you will probably be located close to the NYMEX (World Financial Center, One North End Avenue, New York, NY 10282-1101). I dont know if that is where the NYSE is aswell, but from the address it sure sounds like it. Which firm are you with if you dont mind me asking?

ygpm

 

[Legendary]

Actually, WFC is relatively close to NYSE, but not really. They are on opposite sides of the island, which isn't so bad way downtown, where the island tapers.
If you have any questions about NYC geography/tourism/in general, shoot me a PM.

 

[blackdogdeek]

Originally posted by: Juice Box
As far as I'm aware, I'm flying out there this coming Monday sometime, and going home to Chicago either Friday or Saturday (doesnt make any sense to stay past then, as the office wouldnt be open until at least Tuesday).

I'd assume the office is near the NYSE/AMEX in some fashion, as that is where they trade. And as far as hotels go.....I have no idea, all I am going on is I was told "don't worry, we'll set you up nice" (hehe...i cannot wait )

ok. the nyse is on wall st. the amex is on church st i think (it's literally across from wall st but the big church is in the way).

that area is pretty dead at night. best bets for food after work are the south street seaport, chinatown and little italy all within walking distance.

ground zero is also within walking distance.

there is a big multiplex near the world financial center which is right near ground zero in case you just want to catch a flick one night. there is also a really cheap department store called century 21 right across from ground zero in case you need any essentials.

if you head south on broadway from wall st and bear right at the big meryl lynch bull you'll end up at a park where you can either catch a ferry to or at least get a good view of the statue of liberty (they probably don't have any ferries running after work hours). just keep heading west toward the water once in this park.

the most touristy stuff is in the midtown area. the fastest and cheapest way to get there from your location would be the subway. but if you're expensing everything anyway, you'll be able to see more of the city in a taxi.

i'd say the easiest thing to do is take the subway to times square (i can give you specifics in a pm if you want). from there (42nd st/7th ave) you can walk north on 7th. when you get to 49th or 50th turn right and head toward 6th ave. continue past 6th ave and you'll see the huge rockefeller xmas tree (between 49th/50th sts and 6th/5th aves).

nintendo world is at 48th between 5th and 6th. you can walk there by facing the south side of the tree and turning around 180 degrees and walking one block.

if you continue heading east from the tree or nintendo world you'll get to 5th ave. from here you can head south to the empire state buildilng (34th/5th) or north toward st. patrick's and some nice department store xmas window displays.

if it is too late to go up into the empire state building at whatever time you get there, you might be able to do the top of the rock which is just the top of one of the building in rockefeller center for some nice views. that i'm not too sure how to get to but it is right near the tree somewhere.

if you head north on 5th ave you'll eventually wind up at the apple store at 59th and 5th. it's the big huge glass cube with the actual store being underground. fao schwartz is right there too and you'll be at the southeast corner of central park. if you head up north from there you'll end up at the metropolitan museum of art but it is probably closed after work i can't remember. you'll also find those horse drawn carriages on 59th street along the southern edge of central park. central park also has a skating rink somewhere inside it called wolman rink. the musuem of natural history is on the western edge of the park. the museum of modern art is on 53rd between 5th and 6th aves.

if you head south on 5th ave you'll eventually see the empire state building. if you head west from the empire state building you'll pass madison square garden (where the knicks play, you might even be able to get a ticket if there is a game that night) and the big macy's.

are there any other major things you want to see?

iirc there may be a tkts booth near the south street seaport where you may be able to buy tickets for a broadway show that same evening. if so, you'll find most of the theatres right near times square.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

If you get to stay for a weekend, try seeing a play. It will suck going alone, but it will be worth it. IRent was awesome, but you'll need tickets before you even show up. Probably true for all plays.

Jsut walking around is fun to be hoent though. What's that famous toy store?

Then there is hte natural history museum. And tons of stuff at times square.

Go see wall street (forgot to do that lasat time)

Lots to check out.

have fun!

 

[James3shin]

Originally posted by: altonb1
Go to Central Park with a LOT of cash hanging out of your pockets, by yourself, late at night. That is good times.

Haahha that made me laugh

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

Originally posted by: Juice Box

Originally posted by: Aimster
youre only 19?
whaaaaaa

congrats future millionare

Heh, maybe if I was a trader.....but alas, my interests lay in the IT field

Four words...

1. Learn
2. How
3. To
4. Trade

 

[Juice Box]

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy

Originally posted by: Juice Box

Originally posted by: Aimster
youre only 19?
whaaaaaa

congrats future millionare

Heh, maybe if I was a trader.....but alas, my interests lay in the IT field

Four words...

1. Learn
2. How
3. To
4. Trade

Why would I learn something that I have little to no interest in? Even if it will make me copious ammounts of money

 

[lchyi]

Hey there Juice, I started working IT for a small firm when I was 19 also. First, congrats on this opportunity. From first hand experience, there's nothing more impressive than a 'kid' (they still think of you like that) goes on a business trip and works his tail off for bottom feeder money. They figure they're doing you a favor by giving you the perks and can inspire you to do real work. So work hard and then knock their socks off!

However, take ATOT's advice. You want to know what's more impressive? An IT person that can do the trades also. Trust me, if I could trade, I could walk into my roommate's job (trader at a small investing place), plop down my resume and take his position overnight. They'd probably double my salary as well...

Have fun in NYC. There's a ton of stuff to do, just ask the company's employees when you get there!

 

[MrChad]

Congratulations. December is one of the best times to visit New York City, in my opinion. You won't be prepared for the crowds, though.

 

[Juice Box]

Originally posted by: MrChad
Congratulations. December is one of the best times to visit New York City, in my opinion. You won't be prepared for the crowds, though.

Haha, oh I bet!

Update: Guess I'm flying in on Sunday morning and staying in Corporate Housing....dunno where or whatever, but at least it's some news