Jake Gainey at Sotheby's headquarters. Photo by Tracey Friedman.
Imagine walking by the largest ruby ever auctioned on your way to work! That’s Jake Gainey’s reality as an intern at the Upper East Side offices of Sotheby’s, where the rarest and most valuable objects in the world are often on display. (His other favorite sightings include the Codex Sassoon—the earliest most complete Hebrew bible—as well as paintings by Monet and Magritte.)
On the job photos courtesy of Jake Gainey.
In his role working in operations for the real estate division this summer, Jake (Gallatin ’24) summarizes financial documents and communicates with business partners on project maintenance for Sotheby’s corporate offices. Along with the chance to practice collaborating in a high-stakes environment, he has relished the opportunity to learn about art markets along the way, in part through meetings with art collectors, historians, financiers, and executives.
Fossils are a part of Sotheby's upcoming Sotheby’s annual Natural History sale. Photo by Tracey Friedman.
Lunch breaks are spent chatting with other interns outside on the Sotheby’s 10th-floor terrace.
Jake dreams of one day becoming a sustainable real estate developer in England, or founding a business with his dad and twin brother. When asked about a movie that epitomizes his career ambitions, he cites The Grand Budapest Hotel. "Right now I'm the lobby boy," he says, "and hopefully one day I'll own the hotel."
Photo by Tracey Friedman.