As I grow up, I find myself paying closer attention to adult women in the working world. I am on the verge of being there myself within the next five years (which I am learning and experiencing will go by in the blink of an eye), and I couldn’t be more anxious.

I was fortunate enough to shadow my mom while she was at work when I visited home a couple days ago. I observed what a typical day in the office is like, and quickly realized that it isn’t so much about wearing pointed heels and blazers.

When I was little and had to go to work with my mom, all I had to remember was to bring a pillow and blanket to put under her desk where I would make my “nest.” I never once considered the stress that came with work: deadlines, meetings, projects, other employees, bonuses, sleepless nights, etc. 

Never did I think about the fact that there was a dress code for people who worked- I thought they all dressed nice just because they were adults and that was the adult thing to do. It all just seemed like such a distant thing I would have to partake in, since my biggest concern was what computer game I wanted to play on the extra PC. 

As I sat by my mom and watched her and her coworkers hard at work, this is what I observed.

1) Multitasking. 

Nearly every worker there was always doing more than one task at any given moment. My mom, in particular, would be writing and editing articles all while she held meeting after meeting after meeting.  

2) Technical difficulties. 

When my moms was selling product to a long-term client, she had to call the client back three times because the ordering software wouldn’t accept the client’s credit card. 

3) Breaks. 

The only time any of the employees took a break from their jobs was when they ate lunch. There wasn’t even an allotted time for their lunch break, like we all become accustomed to starting in Pre-K. They would leave their desks, go eat their lunch in the kitchen, and come back to their desks right after to continue their work.

4)  Budget cuts. 

Most of the employees were aware of the company’s recent budget cuts. Goodbye, morning Starbucks paid for by the company!  

5) Stress. 

Nearly every employee was stressed about something or another. It could have been a combination of numbers 1-4, something from their personal lives, a deadline, anything. Stress never seems to leave.  

So as I watched these employees undergo their typical day at work, I was almost relieved in a way. My imagination of the workplace (for women in particular) has always been a bit skewed, which is why I have been anxious about working. Now, I have a better idea of what’s coming and I realize that I am already experiencing half of it. 

I am a college student (surprise). More importantly, I am an involved college student. All of the classes, clubs, volunteer positions, internships, and other organizations that I am a part of require a large amount of time-commitment, weekly meetings, homework, projects, deadlines, working with peers, volunteering, and stress. So what I have realized is that my increasing involvement throughout elementary/middle/high school, and now college, has prepared me for what’s to come once I start working. Life is really one big circle, each thing teaching and preparing us for what is to come. 

Starting an actual career is going to be one of the most stressful, yet exciting times of my life - just like college. Of course, it’s still going to be yet another big change that I will endure, but I know that I will be able to handle it thanks to the experiences I had and lessons I learned growing up. 

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