I May Be *Just* a Grad Student, But It Is Still a Job

Sometimes it doesn’t seem like a job. If you were to take a look at my bank account, you wouldn’t think I have a job. But it is.

I may be able to leave early to go skiing. But then I have to come in early to catch up. I can come in at noon, but that means I have to stay here until 9.

I have an office with my very own computer. I have deadlines, responsibilities. I am most certainly more demanding and tougher on myself than any boss has ever been. The only things I am missing are the business cards and the working wardrobe.

So when you call at 11:30am (when I was in the midst of a dentist appointment) and leave a message which lets me know that your call is not crucial, then call again at 3:00pm with no message (when I was in the midst of working on my thesis), and then call a 3RD (!!) time at 6:00pm (when I was in the midst of working late to make up for time missed at dentist appointment), I am going to snap at you when I pick up the phone! Granted I will apologize after the fact, but c’mon Mom, if I had a “real job” would you call me again and again at those hours. You ask me all the time when I am planning to finish my thesis. I’m trying to, but you keep calling!