Becoming a 'young professional'
I've always looked at 'young professionals' with some awe. Young professionals are young people who work in professional roles and live an inner-city lifestyle. I recently learnt that the term 'yuppie' is also derived from a similar acronym: Young Urban Professionals. The idea of working 9-5 hours, wearing fancy corporate wear and sipping cocktails after work has always seemed so out of reach and strange to me.
But lately, as I've been doing my placement in a 9-5 workplace and applying for full-time jobs, I have noticed myself adopting some of the stereotypical traits of young professionals.
I went shopping specifically for 'work clothes' the other day and I even bought a blazer. This is definite young professional behaviour.
The other night, I met two friends in the city for 'after work drinks' at a bar on Peel street. This is a peak young professional territory and I was shocked to find myself having a nice time.
Working regular hours is so different to university where life is ruled by irregular assignment deadlines. Recently, I have been getting up early and going to bed early at night. I find myself worshiping the weekends in a way that I never did when I was studying full-time. Making a big breakfast on Saturdays is now a massive highlight.
Am I becoming a young professional? A yuppie? Is my university-educated, inner-city privilege now showing so blatantly in my clothes, my social habits and my sleep routine? Now that the process has begun, can I ever go back?