Monday, April 1, 2013

Some Advice for Women at My Alma Mater

Act #91:  It's always been about the journey.

This week, Princeton alumna Susan Patton, '77, wrote an open letter to current female students urging them to snag their husbands while at Princeton.  While feminists cringed, and social justice activists condemned her classist innuendos, the conspiracy theorist in me can't help but think that Princeton's brilliant development operations were somehow behind Ms. Patton's letter (if she even really exists), because we all know that married alumni couples give to their alma maters at significantly higher rates.  I for one question the validity of Ms. Patton's message and if I had the chance, this is what I would tell the wonderful women at my own college alma mater:

1.  It's not always about you.  Often times it is, but not always.

2.  It will most likely take you at least 5 years to land your dream job, and when you finally do, your definition of "dream job" will probably have changed.  The terms "job" and "mate" can be used interchangeably.

3.  The chances of you saving the world are slim, but the chances of you influencing just one person's life are pretty favorable.

4.  He's just not that into you.  But somebody else will be.

5.  Savor those naps.  Unfortunately, superwoman won't have time for such luxuries.

6.  Remember how you feel when you are fetching coffee as an intern, working in an entry-level job, and waiting tables to pay your term bill.  Be kind to those people in the future.

7.  If you must choose, skimp on the lingerie, but invest in good shoes.

8.  Always nurture the only constant relationships in your life - the one with your body and the one with your Higher Source.

9.  It is never too late to re-invent yourself.

10.  Female bosses are not impossible, you are not bad at math, and you weren't asking for it.



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