joining pinnochio

just like pinnochio discovered he could be a "real life boy" in the last week i also became a "real life employee" - signing my contract to join ABN AMRO as a "normal" employee, working in the Group Diversity and Inclusion department as a "Diversity and Inclusion Consultant" till October 2006

my boss asked me if it feels different now...and actually it doesn't really change how i feel about myself - i think it's more that you "feel different" to some of the other people, especially older colleagues, who somehow respect you and your ideas more when you're not a trainee....but i also have great colleagues who respect you no matter what your job title or salary

it is going to be a lot of hard work, but i am looking forward to the challenging work that's coming up in the next 10 months to try and increase the understanding and commitment to diversity and inclusion at this big, international organisation dedicated to increasing shareholder value