Annabeth and the Nine Step Career Plan

Step 0

Orchestration

Annabeth's eyes rapidly flit from left to right and back again.

Her eyebrows furrow.

She repeats the motion, a little slower than she usually allows herself, but the words remain the same.

Unfortunately, due to our division's handling of extremely sensitive technologies and confidential information, Wayne Technologies of Wayne Enterprises is not accepting interns pursuing a bachelor's degree, or lower, at this time.

Exceptions for individuals over the age of 25 will be made on a case-by-case basis. Please consult our hiring office for more information on this policy.

Full-time jobs at Wayne Technologies are available for those currently holding, at the least, a bachelor's degree. Prior work experience is recommended, but not required, as WE promotes a holistic resume evaluation. If you'd like to learn more about our full-time positions, click here.

Additionally, WE offers internships for degree and non-degree holders under any one of our other various divisions listed here.

We apologize for the inconvenience, but rest assured, Wayne Technologies values hardworking and innovative minds and we'd love to have you on board at the completion of your undergraduate experience. Good luck and we hope to see you soon!

Annabeth's pencil snaps under the pressure of her grip, wood splintering across her ruffled notebook. Her resume, furiously marked up with annotations, underlined and crossed out words, and margin notes taunts her from beside her laptop.

How could she have missed this?

How could she have spent days pouring over Wayne Technologies' business history, their values, their leaders and their employees, their industry contributions, every available detail just so that she could be fully prepared for an interview, only to find out now that she would never even be allowed to submit an application.

She glares at the screen, at the offending words, until the brightness starts to seep through to the back of her brain.

Percy's hand settles gently on her shoulder, and she remembers to breathe, blinking away her building headache. It's only until Percy starts rubbing into a particularly tense knot with his thumb that she allows herself to slump in her chair.

"What's wrong?" he asks, sliding his other hand down to loop loosely around her neck.

Annabeth tilts her head to press her cheek into his wrist. Only Percy could get away with something like this.

"Wayne's not taking tech interns," she mutters, scowling, "Over some privacy concerns. He's the only one in the world. No other self-respecting company would want to miss out on young blood, especially with how fast the tech world is evolving."

Annabeth rights her head to read the website one last time, just to be sure. The words don't change. She reaches up and snatches the translation glasses off, gently tossing them onto her now-useless, uniquely-tailored-for-Wayne-recruiters resume. The letters before her flip from Greek back to English.

Percy leans forward and rests his chin in her curls.

"His loss, wise girl," he grumbles.

"I know that," Annabeth lashes out, "But it's mine too."

Percy removes his hands from her collarbone, and when Annabeth swivels her chair around to face him, he is sitting on the arm rest of their couch, waiting for her to explain. Annabeth kicks her feet out to place them between his.