Today’s Tangent: Independent women.
As you know I walk to work everyday. It took me a couple of
days to figure it out, but on my way I pass the job center office in Mannheim.
Every morning before 8 a.m. about 20-30 people gather around the doors to wait
for it to be open and to begin applying. At first I felt bad because here I was
working for a company that wasn’t even in my homeland. However, I’m not getting
paid for my work, so I don’t feel too bad. But then, after awhile, fear started
to nag at me. Here I am, about to graduate in a year and do I have any idea
what I want to do? No, NONE at all! I don’t even have an inkling of an idea.
What happens if I graduate and I can’t find a single job? I know that there are
thousands of other students in the same position I am. And even though I’m a well-rounded
student, with lots of experience, who knows if my double major and minor I’m
trying to pull off helps me land a job. Everyone around me (my parents,
grandparents, professors) have confidence that I will be successful somewhere,
so why can’t I? Who knows where I will be in a year…I may be going to graduate
school (eww gross), working at a job, or be halfway around the world doing
something cool in Germany!
This leads me to something else. Growing up, all I ever
wanted to be when I was little was a stay-at-home mom. I mean, who wants
to work? Besides, work is a man’s job (or so I thought). But now that I’ve
grown up, have worked hard for my education, and have experienced a little of
what the work place is like, I’ve realized how important it is for women in the
work place. (Yes Megan and Katy, I’m going on a little bit of a women’s rights
rant, so I’ll dedicate this to you!) I’ve noticed here that it is mainly a
man’s world still. Of all the meetings I’ve attended through my internship, the
men to women ratios are from 2:1 to 6:1. Some of them, I’m the only female
present and it’s not even my job. I know that I’m still young and have a lot to
learn, but to one day have the knowledge and authority to control a meeting,
well that would just be awesome. Plus, a friend made me think about it one day.
She said that she felt I was throwing my education and future away by just plan
on becoming a mom. She’s right, I haven’t worked for nothing and I want others
to know it. Don’t get me wrong, I know that being a full time mother is a hard
job (trust me mom, I know) and one day I want that to be my job. But, heck, I’m
only 21 years old and I have 10+ years before I have to start thinking about
that. Plus, who knows, I may never find my knight-in-shining armor. So, instead
of wishing for something I don’t have, I’m going to take advantage of what I
can do!
Also, I’ve been independent of 21 years now. Yes, sometimes
it would be nice to have the security of a relationship. But who am I kidding,
I’ve seen the heartbreak and hassle that a relationship is when it’s not meant
to be, and boy am I glad that all I have to worry about it myself. I’ve worried
that guys don’t like independent women, since they don’t seem to need a guy.
But you know what, if they can’t handle me at my best, why should they handle
me at my worse. I’m a lot to handle, sometimes I can’t even deal with myself,
but I know that if someone can put up with my wild and crazy ideas, then
they’re a keeper. I just need to be myself, because no one can be better at
being me (does that make sense?) …well, until then I’m going to keep going
strong and maintaining a BAIB* attitude.
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