Optus

Thus far the job is going great! It is about a 45 minute commute (15 minutes on foot either way to/from the train station and 30 minutes on the train) where I tend to read and then nap for a bit. My body is still adjusting to the new schedule: leave home at 14:25 and arrive back at home around midnight. The work itself is not very hard and the time goes by very quickly. I work for Optus’ cable internet division. I am a front line tech support representative (and now also do work with billing and plan upgrades). The main questions I can answer are password resets, troubleshooting Outlook, Outlook Express, and Mac Mail, re-contracting, plan upgrades, and taking bills over the phone. As each day moves forward, they keep training us on new things since we are such quick learners. I receive a variety of other questions; I answer what I can and transfer the rest to second tier tech support. I already feel I have a strong understanding.

My coworkers are brilliant! Approximately 20 of us started together and will work in the same area for our eight week placement. They represent OZ, New Zealand, England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Portugal, Canada (1), and the US (me). We joke around loads and have a great time. I definitely will make some good mates out of this group. After work, about 10 of us head for the train station where we tend to be a loud group of young people on the train. After eight hours on the phone resolving technical issues, you can get pretty loopy.

The other nice thing about this job is that I get off the train right by Woolworth’s and Coles (grocery stores) and am able to buy drastically discounted baked goods (doughnuts, desserts, and sausage rolls). A huge perk of the schedule…not to mention the reduced sushi for dinner!

Fabrice, my French roommate moved out Wednesday. He did not like OZ very much and has been waiting for a job at home to come through. It finally did and he bought his plane ticket three days in advance. He will stay in one week in Thailand and four days in Amsterdam before heading home.

Xavier, the French guy I rented my bed from has moved back. I get on really well with Xavier so that will be nice. He is more talkative and less awkward when talking to then Fabrice.

We have three new people moving in this week (two from England and one from Finland I think). From this point forward, our housemates will be set until I move out.

Life is great! Keep the emails coming and send me your phone number if you would like a call.