So after my last post I decided to take my own advice and develop my network further. I had planned to take some annual leave at the end of November to visit friends in Boston and New York. While it was just a holiday I took the opportunity to email two of the graduates on the 2010 programme that are based in the New York office to see if maybe we could meet up while I was in New York and talk about their experiences and roles.
To my surprise, I got an email from the Assistant VP of HR, the lovely Joy Young, who had been informed that I was going to be in New York and offered to set up meetings with the different teams in the office. I could not believe my luck, while in NY I would have the opportunity to meet with the Corporate Markets team and see the work that they are doing. I would like to introduce to you 1095 Avenue of the Americas, the home of LBUSA.
On the 34th and 35th floor of this very impressive building sit the Lloyds Bank USA team. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the staff in the office for being so nice and welcoming and for taking time out of their busy schedules to meet with me. I’d also like to thank them for giving me the best view of New York I have ever had. It overlooks Bryant Park and the NYC Public Library on one side and on the other a glorious view of the glitzy/gaudy lights of Times Square.
After an envious stare out the windows I got the chance to meet with the Debt Capital Markets team, the Project Finance team, Major Corporates and many others. It is not a huge office (by Lloyds standards) 200 people, but they are dedicated and very optimistic about their future. I was really refreshing to talk to people that were so positive about the future of the industry especially in the times we find ourselves in at the moment. In my short visit I gained a great insight into the different sectors, their aim, strategies and plans. It also gave me a lot to think about in terms of my own career progression and I will hopefully keep in contact with the PF - Renewable Energy team.
And so at the end of my visit I found myself alone in a conference room watching the evening set in as the artificial light of Times Square’s billboards continue to light the city that never sleeps.
Back in the UK and back to work, my current role continues to keep me challenged. I am now based in a Local Director’s Office in charge of complaints and compliance for a number of branches. The great thing about working with the branch network is that there are lots of metrics of performance. Daily, weekly and monthly trackers can monitor performance of sales, complaints, and customer service. This means that you can really see the impact that your work has.
Outside the office I am also moving forward with other development areas of my career. I am happy to say that there is a good chance that I will be meeting some of you in person soon. I have volunteered to be involved in the 2012 Graduate Programme recruitment drive, which means I’ll be attending the different Assessment Centres that (I hope) many of you will get the opportunity to attend. For those of you currently in the process of applying, good luck and I hope everyone enjoys the holidays.
Top tip: VOLUNTEER
Volunteer yourself and your time at school, Uni, work or in your community. Every project you get involved in will open you up to a wealth of experience, contacts and development opportunities.