Wednesday, January 13, 2010

From Sorority Snob to Corporate Critic

Two years out of college and the sting of the real world has yet to wear off. I bet this is how a recovering addict must feel- life went from a euphoric free-for-all, staying out all night, waking up at 4 in the afternoon on a strangers sofa, living off of diet soda and cheap beer…to a rigorous and mundane routine with regular activities to include paying bills, picking up the dry cleaning and pining for the past. Don’t get me wrong- I am still very much enjoying my life, it’s just that right now I’m essentially in limbo, caught between the carefree days of college and the true responsibility of adult life. And until I fully transition into a grown up, I intend to straddle both sides of this spectrum and borrow the best each has to offer (to report: I have yet to find a way to effectively integrate frat parties and financial planning...not even going to tackle beer bongs and brokers).

It is with this in mind that I’ve decided the world could benefit from this same approach. In particular, I’m thinking the adoption of the activities observed during sorority pre-recruitment spirit week could greatly assist those in the professional marketplace. Just what exactly is this week? Well, it’s roughly five to seven days devoted to self-improvement- specifically targeting physical aspects, with effective communication drills and group bonding peppered in the mix. Miserable? At the time- yes. Superficial? Oh, absolutely. But looking back, at the end of the week, we were poised, polished, and as close to perfection as personally possible. And to be honest…a lot of folks in the working world could greatly benefit from a little beauty boot camp. The amount of shoulder pads I encounter daily astounds me; skirts that are better suited for school marms seem to be a cursory trend in the District; for many of these folks, dowdy would be a compliment.

Sure, by some accounts, my sorority affiliation meant I ‘paid for my friends’, but in the corporate world, where I’m with these folks 40+ hours a week and collecting a salary based on the work I do whilst interacting with them…it could be argued that I’m essentially being paid to have them as friends. And, as a friend (and a sister?), I sort of feel compelled to inform them that they shouldn’t be wearing that, or that their unibrow is growing in, or that the sneakers + socks + pantyhose combination is will surely get ya called to standards.

6 comments:

Michelle said...

ARE YOU... motivated?!?! haha love it!!

Unknown said...

Motivated, Motivated, Hell yeah Motivated...at this time for the past four years I've scheduled hair, nails, etc...maybe I should invest this month's salary to go towards the same thing so I don't morph into a "dull, unmotivated working woman". You will be proud to know I have on stylish snakeskin and black knee high boots with a slender turtle neck and pencil skirt today...I think I'm doing okay.

Madeleine said...

thank god i look cute today! Recruitment.is.FUN!

MalissaB said...

I'm so happy to be reading this. I have an eyebrow wax and pedi planned after work. I'm wearing sleek black knee high boots, with a black and white pencil skirt, white turtleneck and black scarf to bring it together. I could never agree more with the limbo stage right now. Love you Bev!

Anonymous said...

I love this! Just think how much they are all missing us right now- there is no one left to tell someone they need their philanthropy shirt in a bigger size or that their jewelry is tacky and cheap.

Mrs. Plutzky said...

I hope you are not implying I need to be nominated for what not to wear.

 
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