when i first started as an mba intern, i was constantly in awe of all the benefits that people got in the department... free tickets to almost any event in atlanta (any game, concert, events, etc.), free car rentals, the nice dinners that sales reps would take us to, the free travel, free lunches, random goodies that people would send to us, having my own office, and so on. i remember the first time meeting the president of the company, and being extremely nervous to even shake his hand.

but as time passed, i started taking all this for granted. all the perks became something i expected from my job, and regrettably, i became spoiled. now with the new class of 2006 interns, watching them squeal with delight even if the president MAY come in to visit, or when the vp of another department stops in to say hello, it reminds me of how exciting things used to be and how nonchalant i've become. even to be included in a conference call with a business partner or going out to a wasteful lunch meeting, is very exciting to them. to think that i used to be like that makes me a little sad, not because it seems pathetic to want to be in a conference call, but because of who i have turned into. a corporate junkie.

it's only been a week since the interns have started, but i have already learned more from them than they have learned from me. it's always interesting to see things from the other side. it helps me see a lot more... and realize how pathetic i've become. taking things for granted, or in other words, humility, is something that i see a lot of people lose at the upper echelons of corporate america. but it is one thing that i am determined to keep.