where's my seat?

It's summertime but not summer vacation, and these days, running is my stress release.

While some days are truly hectic, it would be silly to pretend that my life is brimming with complicated, demanding activities. As the youngest female employee in my office at a major consulting firm, I realize that relatively, my life is rather uncomplicated. I do not have children, a husband, a house, a mortgage, or any of the other things that cause real stress. Running is simply what breaks up the monotony of staring at Excel spreadsheets, PowerPoint slides, and general work at the office.

I have become acutely aware of what a privilege it is: the ability to run after work. As a young professional, you find yourself suddenly lumped into the greater workforce, but you may not have the same “adult” responsibilities cluttering up your personal time. Just yesterday, you were in college (and two seconds before that, had curfews under your parents roof!) and no one took you seriously besides your peers. Professors seemed wise, even admired. They were definitely not your counterparts.

Now, all of a sudden, they are. You are in an office room full of people twice your age. They are telling you about their kids and spouses and about going golfing this weekend. They might have 20 more years of work experience than you have. Yet, they are your colleagues. Not only are they asking you to complete tasks, they are asking for your opinions on things. They actually value your input.

You’re not at the kids’ table anymore.

You are, however, desperately trying to find your seat at their table. They value your opinion and ideas, yes – but they are the ones that will get the credit. No, they aren’t stealing anything. That’s just how it is for now, you precocious entry-level. You might’ve created that PowerPoint presentation, but don’t think for a second you will be the one delivering it. In fact, you might not even be in the meeting. They are your colleagues, they will be in the same room, and they are going golfing – but you aren’t invited.

So until it’s my day to golf, I will navigate these dynamics of corporate America. I will appreciate that I have a more leisure lifestyle than the executive with three kids and a mortgage, but I will understand my place – for now – at the lower end of the office totem pole. I will maneuver this double-edged sword of the young professional’s life. I will stay hungry and foolish. I will accept my seat at the table, but look for opportunities and never become content.

And after work, I will run.