This morning Michael checked in with what I have done, what I still needed to do and how far along I was with my projects. After briefly chatting about that, I helped Graziella set up for a lunch conference that will be held in the conference room later on today. I really enjoy setting up and I’m glad I know where everything is now!
After setting up I had a chance to sit in on the meeting. It was a US-Iraq Business Dialogue, chaired by Tim who is the President of the American Chamber of Commerce in the Iraq department. About ten people attended, all of whom were Presidents or Vice Presidents of major companies such as Exxon Mobil, Solemar, etc. The basic census of the two hour discussion was to figure out ways to keep in best contact with the Iraq side of business. Meeting times and places were discussed that would be as efficient and productive as possible. Various people volunteered to draft committees for a future meeting, concerning an upcoming conference in Iraq.
Although I didn’t quite understand everything that was happening in the meeting, it was a very valuable experience to sit in with these professionals and see how they communicate. The business language is entirely different! Sitting in this meeting was literarily like sitting in on a meeting from a movie of all the world’s leaders gathering together.
Above and below are photos of the board room. It’s huge!
After the meeting, when I was helping Graziella clean up, (although I didn’t do a very good job helping, I kept getting distracted with one thing or another) Tim (the chair of the discussion) spoke with me and gave me his card. I told him I was majoring in Journalism and he told me that he was also in the Journalism field before college. He then received a triple degree in Law and History. It was very nice chatting with him because although he knew I was an intern, he treated me like an equal colleague. That’s how every body here treats me and it’s extremely encouraging!
I went to my first staff meeting! It was very brief because a few people were out of the office. The meeting was held in the smaller conference room (it’s my favorite out of all the rooms because it has the best view). Greg asked everyone (including me) if we had anything to share. People presented updates on different projects that they are involved with. Ray even invited me to come to an event next Monday (there was an extra spot at a Nortel dinner table). However I won’t be able to make it on Monday, but it was great that Ray asked and that other people around the office are inviting me to events!
