Employed!

Today I started my first day at my new job! My official title is Senior Market Research Executive, and I'm working at a company that does survey market research for pharmaceutical and other health care companies. It's sort of a start-up company that's really started to take off. My boss is great; I can tell he really wants me to succeed in this position. Everyone else at the company has been extremely welcoming, and offered to help with anything I need.

While the company claims they have "no benefits", I'm getting 25 paid vacation days, 2 weeks of paid sick days, discounted gym membership, nearly free shuttle from the train station, my own laptop (which means I can work from home if needed), a generous bonus scheme, and all the coffee I want to drink all day - and TWO dishwashers in the employee kitchen! Maybe to the English who have national health care and great public transportation that sounds like "no benefits", but to someone who's worked a job with 5 vacation days in the first year, or one where sick days were deducted form vacation time, these benefits are incredible. Nevermind that I really believe in the company and think it's going to continue to offer me all kinds of career growth opportunities.

And did I mention I get paid in pounds sterling? (haha)