When am I an adult in the "Real World?"

It was the day of my 20th birthday and I remember thinking, I’m no longer in my teens. This makes me a full-grown adult so I better start acting like one now. Then, I realized that just because I am an adult or act like adult doesn’t mean “real adults” will treat me like one.

Over and over again we hear success stories of poor children who graduate with a college degree. But two years ago, I accomplished one of my biggest goals – being the first to graduate from college in my family, and not just any college but one of the most reputable schools in the nation, University of Florida.

My degree in tow, I head back home to West Palm Beach, FL to find a grown-up job. Now I’m a “real adult,” right? Think again.

A couple of months ago a gentleman, a “real adult,” who I sit with on an advisory committee to a local news station invited me to meet with him so he could “learn more about my company.” I’m probably the youngest person to sit on this committee that advises the news station how they are covering Hispanics on the news and issues that appeal to Hispanics in the area.

I knew even before the call ended that no one wants to randomly learn about anyone’s company unless there is some kind of benefit to them. However, I cordially accepted his invitation and we met the following week at my company’s office so I could school him on what the public relations firm I work for does.

It wasn’t long that he begins to tell me about a Hispanic festival he is planning and that he is looking for sponsors. This fine gentleman would like to know if the company I work for or any of our clients are interested in reaching the Hispanic market.

Prior to this request, this gentleman bad mouthed other companies for daring not to sponsor such a reputable event that would reach tens of thousands of Hispanics in Palm Beach County. Not only did he bad mouth other companies but he also bad mouthed other Hispanic professional organizations in the area for not joining him in his plight – whatever that might be, I’m still not sure.

Before our conversation ended my educational background comes up and I proudly let my very critical guest know that I graduated school two years ago. His unsurprising and critical response was “How’d you ever make it on the advisory committee to the news station?”

Not only did he offend me, but this gentleman undermined my professionalism, my ability to think clearly, and more importantly – Did he just call me a child?

I am a “real adult” now so I had control the child in me that wanted to yell at and kick this “seasoned professional” right in the middle of his shin.

So when does the transition occur that makes me a young professional worthy of respect?
I’ve talked to other young professionals who deal with the same issue of being looked at as children even though they are well into their late 20’s.

This is why groups such as New Pros of PRSA are so important to the professional development of young professionals and for the advancement of their careers. The programming that we offer is excellent and can make one look like an expert during discussions at the roundtable.

It’s time that we stop allowing these “real adults” treat us like children and show them what exactly it is we are capable of achieving.

As far as the gentleman - I kindly told him that just because I graduated school 20 years after he, didn’t mean I wasn’t capable of critical thinking and asserting my opinion in a professional form. Then I nicely escorted him to the door.