Sure, women have come a long way in the work place. I mean, just watch an episode of Mad Men and be thankful that women are no longer constantly objectified by the entire office.

But how far have we really advanced? Maybe it's different for women who have been established in their careers for a longer time, but I still feel like a lot of men just don't get it. Especially 40+ men in positions of power when they're working with 20-somethings. I'm pretty laid back and usually impossible to offend, but I feel like a lot of men I have worked with have zero filter between their brains and their mouths. I mean, is it really appropriate to make any type of sexual comments to your female subordinates? I've been asked if I ever frequent strip clubs. When mentioning a dream I had about work, my male superior immediately blurted out, "Was it an erotic dream?!" Um, no.  A lot of men I work with don't even think twice about making comments regarding the attractiveness of other women in my presence.

So, I think most would agree that this behavior is inappropriate in the work place. If this was the conversation that took place at happy hour or outside of work, I probably wouldn't even think twice about it. But actually in the confines of work, how am I supposed to respond? Normally, I would make a smart ass comment back. Or totally call the person out for being inappropriate. But when it's my boss at work? I tend to just grin and bear it and act like it doesn't bother me. 

Have you experienced inappropriate behavior from your boss? How did you deal with it? Is this the result of a generation gap, or will young women always have to deal with inappropriate comments from their boss?

I have heard this phrase several times from family, friends, co-workers, and have even muttered it to myself on numerous occasions.

However, this wasn't originally my opinion on the matter. After completing two undergraduate degrees in four years and preparing to jump into a full-time career, this time last year I was wondering why I didn't prolong my college career just a little bit longer. In the fall it was such a shock to not be packing up my dad's pick-up truck and heading back to campus.  So weird to pass by the back to school and college displays in the store and realize that I didn't need any of it. I was sad to realize that Thursdays were no longer "Thirsty Thursdays" since I would actually have to wake up and go to work on Friday.

That was until the federal government had to take over Fannie and Freddie. I was actually on a plane on my way to training and my first day of work when I heard the news. And then the economy went downhill from there, but I'm sure you noticed that already.

At a time when everyone else is worried about losing their jobs, don't know how they will pay their mortgage when their ARM adjusts, and are seeing their 401(k)s drained, I actually have money for the first time in my life. And now graduates are facing quite a different environment than I did after walking across the stage. Some companies in my industry have cut offers, or in some cases even rescinded offers, for incoming new hires. An article in the Wall Street Journal (a must read for all professionals- young or old) cited a study that showed those who graduate in turbulent economic times could actually take 10 years or more to catch up to the salaries realized by others in the same industry and jobs.

What has your post-college experience been like? If you haven't graduated yet, are you nervous about finding a job?