Chapter 5

     This was my routine for the rest of my internship. Danielle was very kind and trained me in all of the different aspects of the finance department. Unfortunately, I never got the chance to work on a project with the finance department as I was transferred to the management department after two months. Two months after that, four months into my internship, I was transferred once again to the operations department. Time has flown by and today is my last day at this internship. I am disappointed to be leaving but value the experience I have gained. I wave hello to Kayla, the receptionist, as I pass. She waves at me in response. 

     I take the elevator up to the twelfth floor, where the operations offices are. The elevator dings before the doors slide open. I walk through the rows of cubicles until I reach mine in the back right corner of the room. I set my purse on my desk and pull my chair out, draping my coat over the back of it. 

     “Good morning, Arielle,” my manager greets. I jolt in surprise at the sudden greeting before turning around.

     “Good morning, Mrs. Watkins,” I reply. “How may I help you?”

     “Ms. Buroet would like to speak with you in her office.”

     “Ms. Buroet?!” I am surprised, to say the least. Claire Buroet is the CEO and founder of Techex. She built the company from the ground up and has brought it to its current level of prestige. Ms. Buroet is well known for her business acumen and now, she wants to talk to me?! That’s crazy. 

     “Yes, Ms. Buroet,” Mrs. Watkins clarifies. “She sent me an email earlier to have you go up to her office as soon as you arrive.”

     “Thank you for informing me. I will go speak to her now.” Mrs. Watkins nods and walks away, to her office I presume. I pull my name badge out of the side pocket of my purse and place the lanyard around my neck. I make the trip back to the elevator and press the button to go up. I stand there, waiting, until I hear a ding followed by a whoosh as the elevator doors open. I step inside and press the button for the twentieth floor. I begin to wonder what Ms. Buroet wants to speak with me about. I don’t think I’ve done anything wrong.

      The elevator whisks me up another eight floors and dings again to let me know that I have arrived. I exit the elevator and glance around. In front of me is a hallway bordered by walls of glass that separate the meeting rooms from the hallway. I walk down the hallway and reach the end to see a reception desk along the left side. 

     “Excuse me,” I say to the woman behind the desk. “My name is Arielle Lozerno. Ms. Buroet said she wanted to speak with me.”

     “Ah, yes,” the lady replies. “She is waiting in her office. Just knock before you go in.”

     “Thank you.” There is a door a couple feet away on my right, so I walk towards it and see a name placard on the side. The placard read: Ms. Claire Buroet, CEO. I am so glad that her office is marked. Otherwise, I would have had to ask the nice lady at the reception desk where it was. I knock on the door and hear a “come in.” 

     The room behind the door is rather large. To the left are two couches that face each other with a coffee table in between. On the far left wall hangs a TV and there are pictures in frames scattered along the wall opposite the door. To the right is a large desk. It is made with a dark wood that may be mahogany. The wall behind the desk is full of shelves that hold books, plants, and other decor items. I make my way over to the desk and the lady who is seated behind it typing on her computer. I look around, admiring the design of the room, as I walk forward.

     “Hello, Arielle,” the woman speaks, surprising me. 

     “Hello, Ms. Buroet,” I reply. “What would you like to discuss with me?”

     “I called you here to make you an offer. I know that today is the last day of your internship and you will be leaving. However, I don’t want to lose a good worker like you. My managers have told me about your outstanding performance in the three different departments you have worked in. Based on their recommendations, I have decided to offer you a full-time position as one of my assistants.” I stared at her in shock. I was an intern with barely any experience in office work and now am being offered a position as the CEO’s assistant as soon as I finish my internship.

     “As an assistant,” Ms. Buroet continues, “you will help me with meeting clients, managing projects, and major company operations. Based on what I have been told, I believe that you are able to succeed in this position. Will you accept my offer?”

     I don’t respond right away. This is a very good offer. However, is it what I want to do? I think about my future and realize that I truly am unsure what to do. I have no plans, nothing to do. 

     “You may think about my offer more if you like,” Ms. Buroet suggests. “I simply need to know before the end of the day.”

     “That will not be necessary. I was just making sure that I didn’t have other plans,” I inform her. “Ms. Buroet, I happily accept your offer. I hope to be able to do my job as well as you do yours.”

     “I am glad that you have accepted and thank you for the compliment. I am sure you will do just fine after you have completed your training,” she responds. “Now, here's the plan. Today, you will finish your internship. When you arrive tomorrow morning, come to my office again so I can introduce you to my two other assistants. They will be training you from then on. You may return to your work now.”

     “Thank you, Ms. Buroet. I will see you tomorrow morning.”

     “I look forward to it.”