Summer internships are all about finding what you like, don't like, and gaining experience in your field of interest. This summer, I am interning at Absolute Resolutions Corporation in their compliance department. When I was first offered this opportunity, my initial thought was "what the heck is that?" My goal thus far has been to go into the field of Human Resources, and I've been pretty set on it. Yes, I have learned a ton about compliance and that I like it a lot, but this internship has taught me even more about the "real world" and just how important the little things that are taken for granted are. While some of these tidbits may seem ridiculous, remember, I am a psychology major, and have absolutely no past experience with debt collection, and banking! That being said, here is what I have learned SO FAR. (I am sure I have a lot more to come).
1. What compliance is
I fully admit, going into this internship, when people asked me what I would be doing, I honestly told them "umm I am not really sure." Real professional, I know. Over the past couple of weeks, I have come to know what my role is, but more importantly, the definition of compliance. When I first was offered this opportunity, I had no idea this role even existed. My dad told me that it would fit me well, so I did a little research. When seeing that being in compliance requires attention to detail, and following the rules, I now see why he believed it would be a match. For those of you who still aren't quite sure of what it is just like I was, it basically is making sure that the company follows the rules even when it is not desirable, or easy to do so in order to avoid getting in trouble..kinda like Toby in The Office.
2. Having a window is a luxury
Walking in on the first day, I was fully prepared to be directed to a cubicle, little desk in the corner, or maybe even the ground for the time being. Fortunately, I was shown into an office, with an 8th floor view of the Minneapolis skyline, as well as Poor Richard's Sports Bar's patio. (Watching the happy hour goers can be quite entertaining). I have shadowed some of the compliance team in their cubicles, and it really is pretty tight in there. I'd like to think I can now empathize with all things in boxes such as cereal, my Christmas presents, a jack in the box etc..I've also learned that I can barely see over the edge of the cubicle. I like to go up to the outside of my co worker's cubes and peer over the edge so all they see is eyes staring at them and that's it. I have a feeling I will not get this lucky to have an office in future jobs, but I am definitely taking advantage of this now!
3. Use the spinny chair
As I sit at my computer, I have come to notice that I am never able to just sit still, all thanks to my spinny office chair. It may not be the professional thing to do, but I will take the occasional "spin break" in order to keep myself alert...and just because it brings me joy. But really, if I did not have the ability to move at all, and had to sit there on hours end, I don't think I could do it. In addition, the chair also has wheels, so yes, I have wheeled around the office before in avery awkward manner because my feet don't reach the ground. While I am not sure if this is frowned upon in the office, no one has stopped me! Our office environment is very laid back, and that's how I like it. Can't let the kid inside me die away just yet.
4. Coffee works
I haven't always been a coffee drinker, and I'm still not really into it, but I can feel the beginning of an addiction. I love cold brews, just straight up black and unsweetened. At college, I would get my cold brew every morning, but never really feel the effects of caffeine, or realize that there were any effects. Waking up at 6 every morning, trudging through traffic, and arriving to begin computer work, I have changed my answer. I can definitely feel my eyelids being heavier in the morning if I don't have my Starbucks Nitro cold brew in hand. I always said I wouldn't turn into a coffee drinker...oops.
5. Don't walk the lake on a hot day
One of my first days there, I decided to use my hour long break to stretch my legs and walk Normandale Lake right across the street because exercise is important! I was wearing a dress with a jean jacket, and my slip on Madden shoes. This was a 90 degree, humid, MN day. The lake totals 2 miles around the whole thing, and I was doing great until mile 1. That is when I started to get a little bit hot, and was starting to sweat a bit more than I would have liked. I had no other option other than to finish the 2 miles because I was already halfway. By the end, my heels had barely any skin left on them, blood was pouring out the backs of my shoes, my dress was damp, as well as my hair! I decided to cut through Kincaids and walk through the skyways back to my building so I could finish my walk of shame in air conditioning. As I walked into Kincaids, the host stared at me (I don't blame him) and tried not to laugh as a hot (not in the good way) little blonde intern learned her lesson to bring the right change of clothes if I were to ever do that agin. I now change into athletic clothes and run 2 laps around the lake on my breaks!
6. How to use Excel
This one is actually useful, and is the most valuable thing I have learned so far. Before this internship, I had not ever opened up Excel unless it was by accident when I was trying to open up Word (we've all done it). I felt so silly asking how to simply compress the columns, pull up a filter, or enter an equation. Excel used to freak me out, but now, my hands fly over the keyboard as I audit vendor audits, enter in balance issues and reconciliation books, and so much more. While there is a whole lot that I still don't know, saying that I know the basics, and am confident about it, is something I am seriously super proud of. The satisfaction of completing one equation and double clicking the lower right corner to have it automatically complete the list of 200+ accounts will never get old! I have concluded that Excel is magical.
7. Don't watch funny videos when the office is silent
The environment in our office is to take breaks when we feel like we need it. I am grateful for this because entering data on spreadsheets can be hypnotizing after a couple hours. I decided to take one of these little breaks and be hypnotized by Facebook for a little while instead. The office was completely silent with the exception of the clicking keyboards, and I came across a video of a lawn mower flying through the air to a High School Musical song. I don't know why I found it so funny at the time, I think the spreadsheets turned my brain to mush at that point, but I could not hold in my laughter no matter how hard I tried. My earbuds were in so the rest of the office didn't hear the flying lawn mower, but nothing could mute my attempt to hold in my laughter. To make matters worse, I was bright red from trying to hold it all in, so when I finally could not anymore, everyone turned around to see a bright red version of myself just dying at my desk. In the end, I showed them the flying Toro and they couldn't help but chuckle as well.
8. Compliance laws
Going through training felt just like a history class. History was never my favorite subject, but oddly enough, I liked learning about this. There is an endless amount of rules and regulations that compliance officers need to know, and it amazes me how one can keep that much information stored in their heads! Some of the laws are easy to remember such as Anti-Trust, Anti-Money Laundering, Equal Opportunities, etc.. but then there are acronyms for others that I can't even name. Hopefully in the future I will be able to easily list off all those names and regulations without looking them up. This is where the attention to detail comes in! I think I'm going to have to make my famous flashcards and, and for those of you who are friends with me on Snapchat, you know I "bike my way to an A" as I flip through my flashcards.
9. The lingo
As I mentioned before, I am a psychology major, and never had a reason to take any economics/accounting classes in high school or college. Because of this, I was VERY lost my first day on the job due to the fact that 1. I didn't really know what compliance was and 2. the company I now worked for bought debt accounts and hired firms and agencies to go collect it (aka money stuff), and I have no experience with money stuff as I call it. In the first two days, I learned a whole new array of vocabulary...one of those being interest. I now realize why it is important that I know what interest is as a college student! Some other lingo I have learned is balance issues, reconciliation, EDI competency, letters, call monitoring, and scrubs. The song "No Scrubs" by TLC will never be the same for me again due to this.
10. Casual Friday is taken literally
By the time Friday rolls around, most people are overjoyed to get out of the office for the weekend, and because they can dress down a bit. For me, I like what I do so much that I am not itching to leave like most people are. My co workers make work enjoyable for me, and I like feeling a sense of responsibility. When it comes to casual Friday, the office is already so casual, and wants us to dress in what we feel comfortable in. My first casual Friday was not what I thought. I know that this varies depending on the company, but growing up, I always watched my dad head off to work on a Friday in jeans and a nice dress shirt with a sweater. That first Friday, I walked in thinking I was casual in my Loft day dress. Boy, was I wrong. I think I was the most dressed up in the office as I looked around seeing the girls wearing leggings, tank tops, and mandals. The guys were in athletic shorts, a t shirt and flip flops. Even though they have taken casual quite literally, it doesn't hinder the amount of work they get done, and are some of the hardest workers I know. I love that everything is so relaxed in there, it has made me feel so welcomed and less intimidating as the only intern!
I have almost been with ARC for 2 months now, and it has flown by. I have learned so much about what a "real job" is like, and that my career interests are changing a bit. My future plans have always been pretty set in stone, I like to have my life planned out, but I am starting to realize that taking new leaps of faith and new experiences can open up so many new doors. I almost turned down this opportunity due to the fear that it didn't follow my "plan," and the fear of trying something new that wasn't in my comfort zone. Of course, some days can get long, while others feel short, but there is something about dipping my toes into the working world that makes me excited to wake up at 6 every morning. I have started to look at my experiences differently, such as enjoying traffic because it gives me time to listen to KTIS, and just think, look forward to my workouts after sitting all day, and enjoy family time more since I don't see them all day. As much as I enjoyed my high school summer jobs, this is a whole new level that I can't help but feel butterflies whenever people ask what I am up to this summer.
Enjoy the rest of the week, drink some coffee, use your spinny chair, watch a flying lawn mower, and stay compliant :)
~Lauren