Monday, July 7, 2008

First Day at ETS

Work today was great. I'm sure part of that was just getting out of the house for the day and meeting some cool new people, but also I think I'm just really going to enjoy the actual work. Which I should probably explain a bit now that I know a little more: apparently we summer interns write hundreds or even thousands of questions that get put into a pool. Then throughout the year, the full-time, on-site teams polish them up, test them, put them together, etc., etc. But it all starts with us. I'll be working on the TOEIC test (Test of English for International Communication), writing items for the speaking and writing parts specifically. There are five of us on those test sections, plus another six writing the listening and reading parts of the TOEIC. And I'm not sure how many other interns there are working on the TOEFL questions, but I'm thinking maybe another 15 or so. Anyway, we all seem to be getting along, and there's even been talk of getting a game of kickball or ultimate frisbee together, so that should fun. However, I am feeling a bit old: most of the other interns are still in school, and one of the girls on my team is only 19! So I guess happy hour is out...

All in all, though, it'll be good I'm sure. They did also mention that there will be openings we could apply for if we find that we enjoy the work, which could be really cool. But I'm still very hesitant to even consider something like that at this point since I miss everyone and everything in Cincinnati so much! Guess I'll just have to wait and see how everything goes. Ah, another lesson in patience and trust...

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

PLEASE tell us that we can suggest topics for the questions you have to right. Or let us submit challenges for you. For example, I think you should write a question about a jello mold.

Seriously.

Anonymous said...

Haha ... I meant, *write. Guess I wouldn't pass the test ...

Jenn said...

Haha, yeah! Don't know if I should take suggestions from you after a blunder like that. :-) But seriously, I don't think the jello mold thing will work: not very accessible vocab, you know. I'd explain more the kinds of things we're looking for, 'cause I really could use suggestions, but it's really top-secret work and then I might just have to kill you... And I don't think either of us really wants that.

Lance Webel said...

weak sauce.