WITH just five months in New York under his belt, former army officer and Duntroon graduate Stirling Fielding has already found a big difference in the way he works as a senior associate in the US treasury division of Lehman Bros.
There is a lot less travel than his similar London-based role, where he spent three years with the same company.
“In Europe you go to your clients,” Mr Fielding said.
“I travelled a lot. Here, everyone comes to New York city.”
Mr Fielding blew away at least one myth – that of the insular American, at least where he works – but he also reinforced the image of long hours worked by those that spend time in the financial capital, racking up at least 13 hours a day.
“They do, quite legitimately, have an interest in things going on outside the firm,” he said.
“You do get painfully competitive people and I put myself in that category.”
Mr Fielding said he asked for a transfer from the UK, having decided he wanted to work in an investment bank in New York.
He said he enjoyed the cultural aspects of the most famous city in the US.
Being an Australian gave rise to many amusing encounters and regularly broke down barriers, particularly in the office where he manages a small team.
“I have never had it [being Australian] work against me once,” he said.
