I am back on campus now, and starting classes. This term, I am taking a class in Chinese culture and history, the Chinese language, and historical linguistics. Today, I did homework for the first time this term. I am learning Chinese characters for Monday, and read in my linguistics textbook. I also bought my books. Boy were they expensive! All told they cost me almost $300. College sure isn’t cheap.
It has been good seeing people after the month-long winter break. I have heard their stories about visiting friends and family, and shared mine. We are all excited about the things various organizations on campus are doing this term. Today, I went to an information session about a service trip to the gulf to help victims of hurricane Katrina. We would be building houses, and revitalizing neighborhoods. It sounds like an awesome opportunity, and I am planning to submit an application.
The event of the week however, was a visit to the investment bank Goldman Sachs. The trip was sponsored by the Dartmouth Black Business Association. We went down on Thursday to New York City. It was my first time of any consequence in the city. I saw Times Square and the spot where the world trade towers once stood. We stayed overnight Thursday, and then went into Goldman Sachs on Friday.
We listened to several presentations, and got to shadow different employees. I shadowed somebody in the investment management division of the bank. I learned quite a bit that day. I learned about the bond market, and asset management. I also learned about the lifestyle of investment bankers. They work hard! Many of them work 12 hours a day or more. 14 is quite common. Since investment banking is driven by the needs of the client, bankers can be forced to stay late into the night or early into the night. I wonder how they balance family/life with the career. All in all, it was a very informative trip, and gave me alot to think about.
