Meet Josh. He’s an audit associate at KPMG. Josh is featured in the most recent issue of Fortune’s cover story about today’s twentysomethings, who “have their own rules” with regard to the workplace. Fortune thinks this is a cute way of saying “here are a bunch of entitled brats—enjoy!” (and it sort of is, the rapscallions). Josh, who has a “broad networker’s smile,” a “stiff white collar,” and wears “polished onyx cufflinks,” thinks KPMG should work for him.
With a “body made for gladiator movies,” Josh knew that he needed to have a job where if he had to take off for a few weeks, he had to take off for a few weeks, and that would be okay. KMPG proved itself to Josh when they told him he could tailor his schedule to train for a bodybuilding competition. The firm also “got his attention” when it kowtowed to his demand to be moved to New York, Josh’s “chosen city.” In fact, he was so impressed by the fact that KMPG “got” what he’s about, that Josh said to himself, “You know what? This firm has shown a commitment to me. Let me in turn show some commitment to the firm.” And he didn’t stop there. Joshua also came up with a sexy analogy: “This is a merger, if you will—Josh and KPMG,” he said, with a twinkle in his eye. The article doesn’t mention anything about the J-man sending his superiors out to pick up his lunch/dry cleaning/tab at Scores, but this was likely just a copy oversight.
Is Josh representative of all twentysomethings in the work force today? Are first-year analysts no longer earning their keep in Keith’s favorite position, the ankle grab? Are they cutting out at 8 instead of 11 (or 12 instead of 2, during big deals)? Or is Josh merely one man, one prick, one gladiator? You tell us.
Attracting the twentysomething worker [Fortune]
Comments (24)
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sounds like “andrew”
Reading about “Josh” makes me want to vomit. Right you are, BL, “Josh” is certainly a prick. And I’m afraid he is just one out of millions of twentysomething pricks.
Not only is Joshua a prick, but he’s also black, which gives him extra leverage should KPMG even think of (God forbid) inconveniencing him.
He also (gasp) works in public accounting, so remind me why I should care? So what if he needs a few weeks off from finger painting to play on the swingset?
Wait a minute, Josh? Haven’t we heard from him before: http://www.leveragedsellout.com/2006/02/the-shitshow/
He works in public accounting enough said.
Hey at least Andrew worked in IB (even if it was BS). This kid is a friggin public accountant. That’s one step up from H&R block.
“audit associate”? Wow, the level and scope of importance just rings through. What in the world does KMPG do during his extended time off???
Let me provide a little perspective. Back in the halcyon bubble days of yore (circa 1999), analysts thought, and were treated like, they were god’s gift to finance. You see, the bank’s are like machines, and when the machine is running at full speed, it needs lots and lots of cogs (analysts), so it makes them feel very special. However, what many of today’s crop of 20 somethings forget is that when the machine slows down, those cogs are entirely disposable. I happened to join one of the 4 horsement of the tech boom (although it had already been bought, there was no mistaking that you were part of the smaller bank, Germans be damned) and saw as we analysts went from being treated like royalty to serfs. Today’s junior level staffers can’t imagine a scenario where the I-Banks are actually downsizing, cutting back on perks (our dinner allowance went from $50 to $20 before we could spell Gewurzaminer) and generally being frugal. Josh on the other hand needs to get his head out of his ass cause he’s an accountant and f’ accountants…
What a major effing d-bag! I hope his job gets outsourced to India.
joe,
Wasn’t there a time in the tech boom when Lazard SF, I believe, was offering new Z3s as a signing bonus? Anything to lure grads into the horrid IB lifestyle instead of the fun start up environment.
BSD, dude, what the hell are you doing reading DealBreaker??! Get the fuck back to the office with our Triple Venti Vanilla Lattes.
wow, the sense of panic is palpable when the bankers realize that work/life balance actually exists for some people. No, others don’t get the same bonuses, but the hourly rate probably works out to be the same.
Bravo to you all. I hope that wasting precious minutes of your time to rant about a young professional entering corporate America is worth it. You robots need to focus on counting the pennies in your piggy banks and let go of your own frustrations with yourselves. And btw, how do we know he’s black? I didn’t notice a photo, and surely didn’t recall it mentioned in the article. Do I smell and internal rat? Get over it.
Bravo to you all. I hope that wasting precious minutes of your time to rant about a young professional entering corporate America is worth it. You robots need to focus on counting the pennies in your piggy banks and let go of your own frustrations with yourselves. And btw, how do we know he’s black? I didn’t notice a photo, and surely didn’t recall it mentioned in the article. Do I smell and internal rat? Get over it.
Yeah nice stereotype. Not everyone at Howard is black.
This guy IS black. There’s a picture of him on Google:
http://www.bebo.com/Profile.jsp?MemberId=441064909
nice job sherlock. and….??
Hey dudes, why did you have to Google him? It says right there in the article that he went to Howard University. How many white guys do you know who went to Howard?! Dumbasses.
My son Joshua Butler is an outstanding young man and is envied by so many!
Such anymosity for someone you guys don’t even know? Really? Wow. Get a life. Yeah, one of your own.
Some of you are just haters. Yes he is black and fine. Get over it! White america can not have all the fun! lol
Another black guy makes a fool of himself. In public! What else is new? It shows poor judgement, amongst other things. Another reason why these people (i.e., blacks) should not be placed in positions of responsibility. Yo, know what I’m sayin’? Peace out, dawg.
SO MANY HATERS LOL!! come on people please get a life and stop hatin on someone that has one