Yesterday, I was talking with one of my nursing home residents (well, more talking to since I’m not sure she understood anything I was saying) about a “ragtime” song we were listening to at the time.

Right as “rag-time” passed my lips, one of my Woodstock-loving, Hawaiian shirt-wearing co-workers walked by and said, “What do you know about ragtime?” (let us just note that I know nothing about ragtime besides the song “Alexander’s Ragtime Band” which has become popular for adolescent voices to crackle in sixth grade choir).

And not wanting to be labeled the “young, ignorant new girl,” I quickly replied that I knew plenty about ragtime.  Adding “I used to be a disc jockey,” to give myself credibility…even though I never once played any ragtime on any of my shows.

Why did I say that?

I’ve been wondering this myself lately.  And the only conclusion I can draw is that being the youngest and the newest at any place makes you feel you must prove yourself to everyone.

Why else does society assign labels to entire generations, if not to see if one generation can surpass or revolutionize the others?  Why else would a site like “Brazen Careerist” exist, if not to help young people prove themselves to their co-workers?

It’s very tiring, as a young person, constantly trying to figure out how to assert yourself independently, while still trying to figure out exactly who it is that you are.

I confess here: I don’t know anything about anything.  Sometimes I think I know.  I pretend to know, but there’s no getting around the fact that I’m young, a little naive, and running on the advice of others.

Don’t let anyone ever tell you that life after college is easy.  Because it’s a tough transition from college student to working girl.

There’s a reason Mary Tyler Moore throws up her hat at the lyrics “you’re gonna make it after all!”  on the Mary Tyler Moore Show.

It’s a victory to succeed, and not let “the man” get you down in the adult world.  To come to work every day with a smile on your face is a triumph.  And to bring your “A” game (if life was a basketball metaphor…which it is) at all times, is something to celebrate.

Best of luck to us all.