MAKING IT
by Pauline Garanchon Santos
Excerpt from my third book
\Pending publication
"...The agency called me to say that my next assignment was American Express. "Interesting," I thought. The building was very nice, right by the beautiful Winter Garden and on the 38th floor, overlooking the marina. And, wow, I was assigned to the Marketing Research Department (MRD), not the high pressure areas of Sales or Banking. Great. After a few days, a manager told me that that they were looking for a permanent administrative assistant (AA). I guessed they liked me and that it was an invitation for me to apply. However, I felt that I needed to meet my boss first. He was on vacation they said -- but it really was not a vacation. His wife just had a baby and he wanted to be with them for a few days. So one day, he showed up unexpectedly looking irritated for having been summoned by a temp. He was tall and wearing a flowing long coat and a hat. He looked like he would fit better in an advertising agency environment. He didn't say word and didn't even acknowledge me. But I was satisfied. I realized it was big of him to acquiesce to my demand.
I took my time, though, to contemplate the invitation to apply a little longer. Then one day, I was walking down the aisle on my way to the copy machine, when a sort of perky AA confronted me with a smile as she typed at her computer. She said, "Hey, why don't you apply for the job? Go. Go apply." I felt quite flattered that she felt me good enough to be part of this prestigious company. Little did I know what a tight ass she actually was -- the type who would be impressed by someone like me, who didn't seem to jump up and down at the opportunity to work in Corporate America. She was the only AA who didn't answer the telephone by stating his or her name. She would proudly answer, "Hello, American Express!" Not that I wasn't proud myself. But she was a gazillion times prouder. But that was just the gentle push I needed to go for it.
In corporations as large as this one, I discovered that there was an interview relay. I was interviewed by the boss, the manager, and the head AA. Very thorough, I thought. Then I was interviewed by a very amiable female manager. I was curious though why she was compelled to warn me that there was a glass ceiling in the company. What a funny thing to say, I thought. Did she smell testosterone on me or something? But in hindsight, it really wasn't such an odd thing to say. She must have sensed my ambition. Who knows? I should have felt flattered. But I only gave her my clueless look. In a few days, they would tell me happily that I got the job.
As I embarked on my new adventure on Wall Street, I marched on like a soldier on a mission in the Services Establishment team of MRD. Nobody was aware of this mission, not a soul. I did not tell anybody, not my best friend, not my sister, not my Mom, not a neighbor, not an acquaintance. It was my secret. I guess it's not something you would advertise to other people. But it was always on my mind, my constant companion. Every morning to work, I would sit on the No. 1 train, headed for the WTC, and plotting my strategy for success. I really wanted to know what I was doing wrong. Why I would shine and then end up trapped even in the midst of success. This time I promised that I would be conscientious and aware of every decision I amke and every step or turn I take. I looked at my job as a Buddhist would..."
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