"...that's YOUR office, Ms. McGill."

In the movies, we always root for the underdog team, the class nerd to get a date with the Homecoming Queen, the small town kid to make it in the big city. Well, that was me this week...at my new job!

After years of Community College, University (Go Cougs!), battling through Graduate School, working three jobs to make ends meet; I finally heard those imfamous words that Tess McGill heard (Melanie Griffth's character in 'Working Girl')-- "No, Vanessa that is YOUR office." My response, "I'm sorry I thought I was working out here." "No, Project Analysts get their own offices."

As I walked in, I was shocked. There was a desk, a new computer, and a WINDOW! Several co-workers came in to introduce themselves, the Research Assistants asked if I wanted coffee -- I felt as if I was living someone else's life. When I walked around to collect office supplies, a Senior Analyst asked me about my Alma Mater and how he knew some old professors of mine.

I guess it's true, hard work does pay off. Granted, I will now understand the term , "corporate slavery" with my 70 hour work weeks, business travel, and deadlines. But, that stuff I can do.

It's just shocking that this thing you have been planning for years, going to the right school, working for the right firms, making the right contacts, has worked and pays off. Not that I'm going to complain when I walk into Manolo Blahnik next week and pay cash for a new pair of heels. I'm still shell shocked!

So, now I finally got the job -- my question is this, what's next?