Phố Wall vào ngày 11/9

Key Concepts

• September 11th, 2001
• Wall Street
• Trauma
• Career change

First Day on Wall Street and the September 11th Attacks

The speaker began their career on Wall Street on September 11th, 2001, which was their very first day of work. They were located in a building approximately half a block away from the World Trade Center towers.

Witnessing the Attacks

From a high floor in their office building, the speaker witnessed the events unfold. After the second plane hit, amidst the screams and chaos, a woman advised everyone to stay inside the building for safety.

The Decision to Evacuate

Despite the warning, the speaker chose to leave the building. They vividly recall stepping outside to a scene where the air was filled with "raining paper." The environment was chaotic, with people screaming, yelling, and running in all directions. As a "Chicago boy," the speaker felt disoriented and overwhelmed by the situation.

Impact of the Trauma

The speaker estimates that "almost 50% of that class didn't never returned" to the business, implying that many of their colleagues left their jobs due to the trauma experienced on that day.

Conclusion

The experience of starting a career on Wall Street on September 11th, 2001, and witnessing the attacks firsthand, had a profound and lasting impact, leading to significant career changes for many.