Life Lesson from The Devil Wears Prada

"She's absolutely wretched" whines Andrea (Anne Hathaways' character in this summer's movie The Devil Wears Prada) about her new boss Miranda (Glenn Close). After barely four weeks of work, Miranda's sharp insensitivity and seemingly impossible expectations render Andrea (Andy) anxiously ready to relinquish the position that "a million girls would kill for".

Straight out of the prestigious Northwestern University, Andy enters New York City eager to pursue her journalism career. The only problem? Before stepping foot in the 'Runway' magazine office, Andy's outstanding resume couldn't score her a single offer.

Soon, Andy finds herself swamped with such mundane tasks as: getting coffee, picking up laundry, and arranging dinner reservations-not quite the fantasy she'd previously envisioned.

Of course, as the movie progresses, Andy restructures her attitude and successfully accommodates herself to the job's demands, receives a glowing recommendation from Miranda, and presumably lives happily ever after.

Yet, even after the credits rolled and I'd long since left the theater, something about the movie stuck. Not the Gucci skirts, Prada shoes or Fendi pocketbooks (though the product placement was highly effective) but the Andy in each and every college student-especially those nearing graduation.

By the time we throw off our caps and parade in long gowns, we'll have been in school over fifteen years. We understand school: hard work = good grades. Many of us expect this simple equation to transfer into the business world. With a certificate of graduation, semi-developed resume, and soaring aspiration, we, like Andy, step into the "real world" expecting to be jostled over by top-notch corporation offering perfectly desired positions complete with highly competitive salaries.

If only life actually worked out that way and Andrea's situation wasn't such a common reality.