New Job, New Beginnings

Happy Tuesday!!  (If there is such a thing, right?!)

SO I know it's been a few weeks, but the past few weeks have been a little hectic!  As I mentioned in my last post, I was to start a new position with SunTrust Bank on June 4.  Well June 4, 2012 came and went and I started my new job!  I attended a half day of orientation that Monday with the rest of the day free to absorb all of the information.  It was a very exciting day for me so I ate lunch at Tom's Panera and went home and relaxed with Max the rest of the afternoon!  That Tuesday, I reported promptly to my new office (Midtown, 14th and Peachtree, Campanile Building for those familiar with Atlanta) and started getting familiarized with SunTrust policies, procedures, my new job, my new coworkers (still don't remember all of their names, but I'm learning), my floor (it's very maze-like), etc., etc., etc.  

Fast forward a few weeks and I'm now in my 3rd week of the new job!  I'm still getting my feet wet so to speak.  I'm learning the new systems, learning the new formats, etc., but everything is a learning process!  I've gotten myself acquainted with a lot and doing a lot of the research and analysis on my own, but still have questions.  So far, I'm loving it!  It's a breath of fresh air from my last position!  I enjoy what I'm doing and it's definitely a bit more challenging than my last job duties!  My coworkers are very nice and while I don't remember all of their names just yet, I will learn them eventually.  The person I interact with the most is a Romanian expat who moved to the States in 1998.  He has been a great help and I love talking to him about the cultural differences between Romania and the US of A!  For instance, in Romania, people (children included) don't sit on the floors because they are "dirty" whereas in America, we always sit on the floor!  While it was strange to hear that this is an oddity in other parts of the world, it's enlightening at the same time.  I LOVE to learn about new cultures so I look forward to learning more from him on this new career path!

So not only am I really enjoying my new position three weeks into it, I'm also LOVING my new benefits!  I get discounts on things (such as Braves and Falcons tickets, tickets to shows and theaters, stores, electronics, restaurants, etc.).  We will have MUCH better health insurance options.  I am able to join diversity groups and become more involved in the community through the community service programs.  I have stumbled upon a fabulous opportunity with a GREAT company!  While I'm sure my opinions will change at times (as no one's job is absolutely perfect), I can't foresee disliking my company or my career growth and development options.  I'm VERY excited about this opportunity and look forward to new opportunities that lie ahead!!

Front of the Campinile Building with the Suntrust Logo!

Love being in tall buildings!

On a side note, Daddy will be in town this week!!!  So even though I didn't get to spend Father's Day with him, I get to see him for the next few days!  I'm VERY excited about this, too!!  I will soon have a Father's Day post dedicated to him!

A New Chapter

This post will be pretty brief.  It's time for a very exciting update in my life!

On June 4, 2012, I will begin a new chapter in my professional life!  I have been offered a position with SunTrust, one of the South's largest banks, headquartered right here in Atlanta!  While the past 2 years in my position with J.P. Turner have had their ups and downs, I am looking forward to the new venture!  I will be a Portfolio Investment Specialist.  My primary job function will be to assist the Portfolio Managers in investment research and portfolio analytics.  I will create client presentations and prepare the managers for these presentations.  While I have been informed that I will be required to do small amounts of work in an administrative capacity, I am okay with this as EVERY job has at least some administrative work!

I am VERY excited about my new position!  Not only will this open the door to many other opportunities with a large financial institution, it will be another learning and growing opportunity!  Not to mention, it comes with a pretty significant raise, better benefits, and higher sense of professional development!  My family has been very supportive of me throughout the interview process and I could not have asked more of them.  They were very encouraging when I got bad news from potential employers, telling me to keep my head high and that God would put the right opportunity in my path.  There were times of grave disappointment when I thought I was very qualified for a position where I didn't receive an offer, but I just had to keep telling myself that God always has a plans and while things may not make sense, there's always a rhyme or reason as to why it's happened.

I'm really hoping this is going to be a long-term opportunity for me as I am tired of changing employers every few years.  I need some professional longevity and because SunTrust has many opportunities in a variety of departments, functions, and capacities, this could be a long-term career move for me!  I am fortunate to be afforded this opportunity and I look forward to what the future brings!  It's a very exciting time in my life and I hope I'll be able to get some sleep on Sunday, June 3, 2012!  (I don't usually sleep well the night before my first day on a new job- fingers crossed!)

On a side note.  Tom and I are visiting the old stomping grounds this weekend for the Memorial Day holiday!  We leave for Jacksonville, FL Friday afternoon to stay with a friend from my high school in California (that I haven't seen in almost 10 years- thank you Facebook for the reconnect!) so I'm VERY excited to visit with him!  Saturday, we'll go to the beach- FINALLY!  We haven't had a beach trip since our honeymoon to St. Lucia so we're looking forward to seeing the ocean for the first time in 2 years!  After Jacksonville, we'll be heading to Orlando to visit my uncle, aunt, and cousins and hopefully one of Tom's former coworkers that we haven't seen since shortly after we moved to Atlanta!  It should be a very fun weekend!  Pictures to follow (assuming I remember to take them)!

Thanks for reading!!

All my love,

Britt!