the billing. It is then my responsibility to print the documents (often tax returns), make (or have made) photocopies, put a package together for the client explaining the documents and what needs to be done with them, and handle the billing for the project.
In order to accomplish this part of my internship, I had to learn the software that the financial advisors used in order to print the documents. I also had to become proficient in the use of e-mail so that I could pick up my messages, let the associates know when the work was complete, and (in some cases), e-mail clients through the Internet that their documents were ready. I also had to learn the billing module in order to prepare and update customer invoices.
Because the computer system used at the company is proprietary, there were no books available at the local computer store on how to use the system. Since it was written for a small company, there were also no videotapes, and no tutorials had been written for the software. Instead, one associate gave me a brief (one hour) demonstration of the software; I then asked whichever associate was available when I had questions.
According to many analysts, a more formal training program would have shortened my learning curve and would have minimized the disruption of the financial advisors (Ference, 1997, p. 66). Such a training program could have taken the form of on-line computer-based training and could have been prepared at the same time that the original software was developed. A program such as this would have allowed new employees to receive self-paced training which answered the questions they had at the time, and also would have permitted existing employees to return to the training module as needed for "refresher" courses. I took copious notes on the work that I was doing in order to help the next person who needs to learn the software.
Another of my responsibilities is preparing, making and analyzing the ...