Part way though the interview things got interesting, “Would you like to see how the world really works?” He asked.
“That is why I chose economics, to see the world work and understand what makes things tick.”
There were three nodding heads in the room, as they all agreed with their own personal version of what she had just said.
“We can give you a unique look that others cannot see. Our connections go around the globe and into places you would not expect.”
“That sounds very exciting. Travel and language are two of my interests” Melanie said, “If I may, what is an international investment company doing in Dubuque Iowa, and why would you need a person that speaks multiple languages? From my research it seems your company should be in New York or Los Angeles.” Melanie asked.
Smiles creased the faces of her interviewers, “We are a global entity with companies in New York and LA. Also Tokyo, Hong Kong, India, Singapore, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Japan, China and many others” said William Froiberg, the regional director. “Our location here is one of many in the group that makes up our worldwide organization. All locations are managed by a global leadership team, with each location specializing in knowledge needed to fill their roles as part of the whole. This location specializes in economics, world wide networking, and global investing; sort of a think tank. Our job is to see world change coming, and to prepare an investment strategy to maximize returns before, during, and after the event. We have a long history of predicting world events, and profiting from understanding what will happen if and when these changes take place. In addition, the company owns brokerage and on-line trading sites that allow us to get a return from the movement of money, positive or negative.”
“Why did you choose Northwestern?” asked John Bettle. By this time she had sized up John as person that was very guarded. He acted normal but there was an underlying stiffness, almost like he was drunk and was trying to act sober, or like he did not want the world to see the real him. While she really did not care, there was something about him that raised interest.
“When I was young I loved volleyball and had an interest in economics. I earned a volleyball scholarship to Northwestern, which I saw as a well-respected school that has producing great thinkers and world leaders.” Melanie said, “Without my scholarship I may have ended up at a local community college for a few years. While the volleyball did not work out, I was right about the school.”
“So, how do you learn 6 languages by age 21 and make straight A’s through high school and college?” asked William Froiberg.
“Language is like second nature to me, it just clicks.” Melanie said almost apologetic, “I can learn a language in a few months using the language tapes available at the library. There are plenty of international students in the Chicago area that I can spend time with to perfect my timing and inflection.”
“Well that comes in handy” John said, “There are a lot of reports that I need translated.”
“So I will work for you?” she asked.
The two men exchanged glances and then William Froiberg leaned forward, adjusting his glasses. The meat of the interview was about to start, she thought.
“Your role here will be to read news and watch world regional news video streamed via computer, as well as reports we have, looking for items that may be of interest to us. We will be giving you a great deal of training over the first week and then you will spend part of your day combing through things we need looked at and then talk with John about what you have read. You will get a crash course in what is happening in the regions of the world you are assigned to.”
“What types of things would I be looking for?”
“That is what the training is for,” said John.
“Now”, interrupted William Froiberg, “I know you were sent here to discuss a no-pay internship, but I want to let you know that when we find someone we like we want them thinking about the job at hand, not where they will stay or if they will eat. If we agree today that you are the one for us, we will put you up in a very nice corporate apartment for the summer, give you a daily food allowance, and pay you a good wage. The offer is only for the summer, we want you to continue your education, but we hope all our interns will eventually join one of our global companies.”
“No Way!” “That would be awesome!” she blurted out before she could stop. “Sorry”, she said, as she lowered her head in embarrassment, I hope I didn’t just blow it, she thought. A smile, that she was trying desperately to cover, was creeping over her face - when could she start, she thought to herself. All of the sudden this opportunity had become hugely important; to heck with a leisurely summer, the thought of losing this now would be horrible.
“We are, in fact, ready to offer you this opportunity now,” said director Froiberg, “you come highly recommended and we trust our source and know you are the right person for this job. Your schooling will end next month and we would like you start the week after, would that be acceptable?”
Would it! Holy cow! What should she do? What should she say? “Wow, this is all going so fast, can I have some time to think about it? I, I’m, very interested but I just need some time, would that be acceptable?” Do it! She thought, just say yes! You know you will, what is there to think about?
“Of course”, said William, “but we would like to know soon. We have plans to make for you.”
She regained her composure, the smile vanished, she needed to know more about this – it seemed too good to be true. “Can you tell me more about this worldwide company you mentioned earlier? My research did not uncover any more than this company at this location.”
“As I mentioned earlier”, the director said, “we are a global entity with companies in most major cities across the globe, and some in smaller locations as well” he said with a smile as he spread his arms to highlight the room they were in. “Our location here is one of many in the group that make up our worldwide organization. Some locations may be locally owned, but all locations are managed by a global leadership team, with each location specializing in knowledge needed to fill their roles as part of the whole. As I mentioned, we specialize in economics, world wide networking, and global investing. We try to see world change coming and prepare an investment strategy to maximize returns. You would be doing research to help see that change coming, or at least see if people are talking about it.”
The questions ran out about 45 minutes later. Melanie was again asked if she was ready to make a decision.
“Yes, “ she said. “I am very excited about this opportunity.”
As she left the building she marveled again at the view, and the excitement swelled again thinking she would be spending her summer here; historic beauty, old world charm; and getting paid for it. She wanted to skip to the car, what luck!
The drive back to Chicago took a while. Just across the river from Dubuque, on the way back to school, was Galena Illinois. Galena had a vintage downtown area that was filled with boutiques, fashion houses, and specialty shops. While only a few blocks long, it reminded her of a miniature version of the locations around the world she had hoped to visit someday, European street markets like Stroget in Copenhagen or the Boulevard Saint-Germain in Paris that she had read about. The big name boutiques and outlets were not there but then she could not afford them anyway. Melanie lingered for a while, called her mom and then her boyfriend to let them know how things went. After she finished looking around she went to a small pizza shop up the street for a bite to eat. Dubuque’s charm, Galena just across the river, and she’ll get paid – this was going to be great.