The Top 5 Places to Nap At My Finance Internship

I wrote this back in the summer of 2019 when I had a finance internship at Technica.

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My Desk

Pros: Colorful post-its!!! :) I can access my personal email here, and I have a nice chair. Two screens (that I use!)!! And a phone (that I don’t use)!! I actually do work here. Sometimes this work includes math. I don’t think they’ve figured out that I’m a drama major who cannot do math yet. The calculator app has been extremely helpful in pulling off the ruse that I can. As long as I don’t accidentally bankrupt the company I’m good. 

Cons: My bosses are literally ten feet away from me and I’m afraid they’ll eventually sniff the drama major scent (which smells like sweat and a desperate need for attention) on me and let me go. It might be an act of compassion to let me go at this point. It’s like if a golden retriever was expected to keep track of the nuclear codes. Great idea because dogs are fun to be around, but I don’t think a golden retriever really has the attention span we are looking for in this area of expertise. 

Could I nap here? 8/10. Would be comfy but ethics hold me back. I mean I could but I wouldn't. I don’t actually want to lose my job. They pay me money. Which I need. And this is a bit too obvious of a location, my bosses could easily see. 

The bathroom (specifically the first stall on the right)

Pros: Very nice, usually quiet. If I need a place to think (or actually use the toilet) this is the place to be. My bosses can’t find me here. I think. I mean, they use this bathroom too I guess. 

Cons: Not comfy after a while. Pretty cold with my pants down. The toilet automatically flushes every couple of minutes and that can be a little disconcerting when I’m not expecting it. 

Could I nap here? 2/10. No, it wouldn’t be comfy and it would be too cold.

The canteen

Pros: Where I have my lunch. Big windows that have natural sunlight. There’s a coffee/tea machine, a toaster, and a microwave. Very fancy. 

Cons: The seating isn’t really comfortable and it’s a very exposed area. Often the heads of the company will walk past it and say hello and I engage in small talk. And I don’t mind small talk! I’d just prefer to enjoy my peanut butter toast in peace without having to network with someone who thinks I know who to do math. Which I don’t. I do not know how to do math. I don’t know how I can make that more clear. 

Could I nap here? 6/10. Not that comfy, but a quick 30 minute nap over my lunch break might be socially excusable if it’s timesheet day. 

Cool red couches

Pros: Aesthetically pleasing. I walk past them all the time and they break the sea of cubicles in a dashing way. Do I have a crush? Maybe. Should I go up and talk to them? Omg never I’m too shy. Stop pressuring me. I'm not ready. 

Cons: I don’t really know why they’re here. I’ve also never actually sat on them. They could be super uncomfortable for all I know. 

Could I nap here? 7/10. Like Yeah? The cushions might be comfy but this would be even worse than the cubicle. I’d be in plain view of everyone in the company. 

Giant window overlooking a small lake

Pros: There are deer and swans sometimes. The greenery is great to look at. Cons: I wouldn’t say it’s the main attraction at the office. I’ve only actually looked outside this window like… three times. My older coworkers seem very keen on keeping tabs on the swan though.

Could I nap here? 0/10. Unless I wanted to obstruct foot traffic and get the sun shining in my face while I try to sleep, it would be best to find someplace else.

Conclusion: I shouldn’t/couldn’t nap at work. All these places vary in comfort, general ambiance, and the risk of being caught; However, none are actually 10/10 places to nap. Sad.