Day 3: The Job

Photo of the Day: Welcome Swag

So everyone who has heard me say I would never work in a cubicle can go ahead and say "I told you so." Welcome to my workstation, complete with festive streamers and plenty of free swag, including an American Apparel jacket, a New York-themed mouse pad, Statue of Liberty novelty sunglasses, markers and notepads, and a couple of interesting reads.

So yes, I do work in a cubicle now, but it's completely worth it considering how incredible my job and the staff here are. Today was my first day of work at the Taproot Foundation, which has been a bit of a dream organization of mine, and I'm just hoping and praying that I can live up to the high expectations everyone here seems to have for me. I am simultaneously intimidated by the larger-than-life personalities of my co-workers and comforted by their confidence and kindness. The people are incredibly friendly and quirky, but there is also a very strong work ethic, and unlike many corporate environments, every person is invested and sincerely passionate about what they're accomplishing. And if I ever get too unhappy with my physical surroundings, I just glance outside and marvel at the wonders of midtown Manhattan.

I work here, in the Time-Life Building in Midtown Manhattan. For fans of the Mad Men television series, it is the building where the Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce advertising agency is headquartered in season 4! Our organization shares a floor with the Time Magazine human resources staff.

This is Kate, my current cubicle neighbor and predecessor. She will be leaving at the end of the week, and I'll be taking over her position. Kate has been amazingly helpful in bringing me up to speed on the dozens of Taproot Foundation initiatives and the intricacies of my new role and has been exceptionally considerate during the brain dump process.

Radio City Music Hall is literally a block from my workplace. You can see my building in the right-hand corner behind the trees. After work, I've made it a habit to walk around the area for a little bit and just soak in the sights and sounds of New York City.