I’m 23. I’m not “old” by any standard that I know of. People of all age ranges will always tell you they’re not old, the guy 10 years older is old. I once opened a networking event by saying all the students need to find an “old” person (professor) to talk to. Oops. Thankfully, I had classes taught by people who were not in that room.

And yet, I hear from many of my college friends who have just graduated that they feel old now that they have to work every day. Who can blame them? After high school is college and after college is work and after work is, well, retirement.

But work isn’t something you pass through to get to the finish; retirement isn’t a goal like getting into college or getting a job. If you find the right job, work isn’t something you want to get through.

I’ve been in industry more than two years and I assure you I’m still not old. I saw 300 on Thursday at midnight and went into work with less than 3 hours of sleep and still managed to go to Lebowski Fest that night. Oh, and I kicked butt on Friday. I got a “Stop! I’m not going to have anything to do if you keep getting it done!”

New grads who say their old are giving you the run around instead of just saying they dislike their jobs. Your job should be fun, you should make it fun. If you’re an engineer you already have a problem solving ability, figure out what you do best and do it every day. If you’re having fun, you won’t be jaded.

Are you old?