Summer coming up...

My exams are almost done now and was wondering if anyone can give me some advice.

My dad set me up with a residential house developer a year ago, just mainly doing gofer work. I worked in his office, and mainly just did nothing quite spectacular (I was 15... I wonder why).

Anyways, this summer is different. I am going to be volunteering in a non-profit office this summer and the Director told me that I'd be getting assignments to do on Excel and Word and stuff like that.

The problem is that I'd only be going in once a week because there really isn't that much work to be done, especially since it is summer. I was wondering if I should still take this or not, even though it is only once a week (sort of shit), and I was wondering if this would help me in probably getting an internship in PWM when I go to university in 2 years during freshman summer.

I know it's nothing spectacular, especially since it is only once a week, but would I be able to put that on a resume at all? Would it help in any way?

Any assistance is appreciated.

12 Comments
 

Obviously the kid's parents will provide him with a stipend. GEt any and as much experience working as possible. Just waking up early, showering, getting dressed, going, conversing with your co-workers, coming home...will give you a great deal of pride.

 

in 2yr from now there (is a great probability that there) will be a donwturn in the mkts and believe me 40% of the people that desperately want to break in IB, S&T or whatever will have changed their minds...

 

Oh, I have a part time job as well. This is purely volunteer work that I'll be doing.

Honestly, I was surprised when the director told me that she'd give me actual tasks to do on things like Excel and Word or whatever. Heh, I'd still be doing gofer work regardless and watching over the coffee, but at least I get some responsibility (very minuscule, but nevertheless).

Obviously the downside to all this is that it is only once a week and only during the summer (grade 12 next school year... offices typically close at 5) so I won't be doing it during the school year at all.

Thanks a lot for all the advice guys. Van, Bryan, West, GGD, I really appreciate it.

 

It's real...

Obviously, it's nothing spectacular. I'll be VOLUNTEERING in a NON PROFIT OFFICE only ONCE A WEEK and it is only during the SUMMER.

Yeah, that's why I just wanted to ask you guys because you'd know more about it then me. It is mainly just out of interest and getting into a target here in Canada in 2 years.

I'm not volunteering at Goldman Sachs lol. It's non-profit; retirees mostly volunteer there... no one gets paid besides the people that make a career in a non-profit (the director/office manager).

 

Another note I would make is to make a LOT of notes. If you're only working once a week, chances are that you will forget everything by the next time you complete the same task. This will result in you asking the same question over and over again. If you can show that you're able to excel into more complicated tasks, even while only working once a week, you are significantly more likely to get a rec.

 

@ dixm655: Somehow, I have the feeling you will end up at Goldman one way or another. Good lick

"Living the dream 24/7 on http://theallnighter.blogspot.com"

____________________________________________________________ "LIVING THE DREAM 24/7 ON http://THEALLNIGHTER.BLOGSPOT.COM" ____________________________________________________________
 

i dont know why kids in HS are sweating this crap already. listen, you never know where the markets will be in 2 years - maybe itll be stable, maybe no one will be hiring. the best you can do is get into a good college, work your tail off to get a good gpa and see where that takes - whether its finance or something else.

as for your original question - no one at the PWM firm will care what you did during your junior summer in HS

 
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