Starting my first job on Wall Street very soon -- any tips?

I just graduated from a top college, and I've never worked a "real" office job before. I've tutored, taught, and made money with various odd jobs, but I never had a summer internship or any other sort of experience with work like this.

I've been reading all sorts of guidebooks and things like that, but any experiences or tips you can share would be appreciated! I was told that Liar's Poker would be a good book for me to read to help me get a clue, but I just finished it and I know the culture at my company isn't like that at all.

I have all my clothes set, but beyond that, I feel rather unprepared. This is an analyst position on Wall Street, and there is actually no training program like at many of the banks (just a one-day new-hire orientation a few days after I start). Vague question, I know, but any words of wisdom?

Why not moving to the place a little earlier, and explore the area a bit before starting your job? Simply get a feel by yourself how the working enviornment is like. Maybe you could intercept someone in the hallway during lunch hours, and introduce yourself to him/her and say that you're new and would like some advice on... This can be risky though, as people in a big firm might not be as friendly as your fellow college students. But it never hurts to give it a try.

You might also want to check with your school's career services and see if they have a record of the alumni's contact information. At the career services in my college, current or recent graduates can usually find alumni contact information sorted by their undergraduate majors. Also, such record often reveals information such as where they end up to be a year after graduation. You may be able to find someone who shares a similar background and has gone through the same routine to find his first job. Just drop him an email, alumni are generally willing to help out.

Last thing, although I'm not in your field, I heard that passing the CFA exams can be quite useful for one's promotion later. I don't know whether this applies to your case. If so, and you plan to take the exam at some point during your career, it's better to prepare for it earlier than later. Hope this helps.

Sincerely yours,

I don't have any advice regarding books you should read, nor any financial tips, as I'm illiterate when it comes to money.

I'd say that if you feel small when you get there, just remember that you wouldn't have been hired if you hadn't met the criteria. Your spelling and grammar alone paint a good picture of you. Figure out who you'd like to be in the near future, and become it by acting the part and doing the best at every task you're asked to perform.

Edit: If you have any extra time and don't know what to do with it, I'd love to shoot you an e-mail about a university you attended. I have a few questions that I'd love to have answered, but no pressure if you're out living life. =)