I have recently observed a strange yet noticeable pattern in the way that people exit college and begin their long journey through the mean, unforgiving job market. It appears that there are two paths traveled by recent college graduates, and the path one chooses has a strong correlation with the college friends that they will remain friends with long after their years at school.Let's look at me for example. Yes, I did accidently get pregnant in college and was then hit with another hurdle when, whoops again, it was twins. Did I throw up my hands in defeat and declare my future over? Nope. I became apart of the group of college graduates called the "Young Professionals". We are the ones who choose to establish ourselves in our chosen careers through entry level jobs; we bust out of the flood gates eager and enthusiastic about our long haul up the corporate ladder. Success is important to us. We want it, and we are willing to work hard to achieve it. Happy hour is our best friend, as it is a way for us to unwind after dealing with the mundane issues that naturally accompany full-time work. Issues such as backstabbing coworkers, random corporate hookups, and why you hate your next door cube mate infiltrate our bar discussions. (Don't get me wrong, we aren't dead, so we still love to talk about relationships, sex and our occasional night of to many drinks). Normally equipped with the finances to stimulate the economy, we drive nice cars, wear nice clothes and are seen in groves at all of the most up and coming city hangouts. I love being apart of this group. Nothing makes me feel more accomplished then to know that one day I will be able to afford the life I have always wanted. I want the American dream. Big house, Mercedes and perfect children, and guess what, despite what I have been raised to believe, I can accomplish all of that all on my own. (Clarification: I am just saying that me, myself, and I wants to make my own future, and I don't want to rely on someone else to make it for me).
Then there is the other path chosen. The "lost ones" as I have named them. I have noticed that they are on a completely different level in life and attitude then us, Young Professionals. They are the ones who feel that just by graduating college they have accomplished it all. Who wants to enter the workforce and get a 9-5 entry level job when you can go out and party every night and excuse your negligent behavior by stated that you graduated from college? It is okay that you aren't really utilizing that expensive education your parents had pumped their hard earning savings on because, hello, you have a degree. Not okay. Or at least not okay in my book, but then again, I have been known to be somewhat judgmental. I just don't understand that behavior. What did you go to college for if you don't want to have the kind of job that your degree entails? I also like to include the following into the group: college graduates that are under the impression that because they have a degree they deserve 50K a year starting off. Quit smoking the crack, most of my friends are liberal arts majors and reality check….not a very lucrative degree unless you get very lucky and find your niche.
It's been almost two years since I have left that amazing playground known as UTSA. I had a lot of fun. I don't regret anything I did or didn't do as I made sure that when I was done with that phase in my life, big girl mode would kick in and I would be over the crazy lifestyle. It saddens me that I have friends who haven't had the same life realization. And I don't blame my newfound maturity on my having children, because the friends that I remain closest to don't have children yet have the same mentality as me. It is sad to see close college friendships end but at one point in your life you have to realize that people are bound to take different paths. It is hard to relate to those who choose a different path then you, believe me, I know. Maturity is a tough pill to swallow but some of us have to do it.
No comments:
Post a Comment