Just passed the 30 day mark at my first "big boy" job after graduating college. Pay is good, plus I get a 2013 Ford Fusion, iPhone, Laptop, and personal use of the car. Obviously, I would love an extra $5000/yr, but I'm 22 and I've been given a great shot to prove I can handle the responsibilities of overseeing construction jobs in 9 states. I get to travel often with a large per diem. I can keep the 100,000+ Southwest Airlines points I will rack up this year and all the hotel and rental car points as well. I'm only making $40k/yr right now, but the bonus is likely to be close to $7k. Despite the lower salary, I have an actual career path and not just a stepping stone towards large increases in salary. My coworkers are all incredibly nice and welcoming. Coming out of college with a LAS degree and a 4 summers of plumbing ended up benefiting me more than I ever thought possible.

All of this is coming after graduating with no real job prospects. Work is work, but if I get everything done by 3:30 then I'm free to go.

My best friend just got engaged and he chose me as his best man. Plus, he is finally going to be around more often.

I have been working out often while maintaining all my relationships so I have an incredibly positive mentality at all times. I have been told that my attitude has been keeping people from getting down on themselves despite mild hardships.

Everyone said leaving a Big Ten party school and working full-time would be terrible, but I finally have some money and a good routine to stay healthy and help out people around me. I am reading more. I am getting asked to do more things by people who I have only met recently. My summer has made a massive turnaround from being a fresh graduate and I could not be happier.