I started my new job working for a broker-dealer this past Monday and I've been working for 3 days now. Here's a few pictures of my building from the outside:





It's been a little hard getting up at 6:15 in order to leave for work at 6:45, but it's nice to get off work at 4 and still have tons of daylight. So far I've just been sitting with various people, watching what they do and how they fit into the company. It's been fairly boring at times and the people are like, "well, I don't know what your boss wanted me to show you exactly, but um... you can watch me do what I normally do." A few people have run out of things to explain to me.

There are only about 30 employees total and there are about 350 registered representatives spread mostly over the Pacific Northwest that use us as a broker-dealer. It's been hard learning everyone's names and where they sit. Since I've worked for a rep in the past and a clearing firm, I have a very good idea of how the business works and what the rules and regulations are, and think I'll fit in pretty well. After just three days I have a good idea of what everyone does. One guy I sat with for a while gave me several restaurant recommendations, which was really cool. Everyone seems really nice and they're very friendly. There are a lot of people my age and then a lot between the 25-40 age range. My boss is actually one of the people who's worked there the longest and she's reducing her hours this summer to transition into retirement.

Most of us have little cubicle areas in groups of 4. Unfortunately, my computer monitor faces out into the open room and so anyone walking by can easily see what I'm doing. I've been using my hour-long lunch break to check my email and stuff on the internet, but otherwise I probably shouldn't play around too much, at least not this soon after starting work. I work on the 28th floor and can see for miles and miles. I can see Puget Sound and Alki Beach from my work, which is pretty awesome. They also have a kitchen with a dishwasher, microwave, refrigerator, and coffee makers of course. They also have free kinds of tea available, like green and white tea.

Overall it seems like a fairly laid back office with a great atmosphere. I think I'll like working there.