Facebook.

You’d think the craving would dissipate when you graduate.

Unfortunately, it only increases.

The culprit? Entry-level jobs. Thanks to face book I’ve discovered I’m definitely not the only one who sits at a cubicle with an unbearable amount of free time on my hands.

Now before you go judging me and thinking to yourself “man julie must have no life and a really crappy job” I am telling you that I am not alone. Don’t be fooled; people will never admit it, but I’ve begun noticing trends.

For instance:
-I feel guilty when I sign online at work, only to notice that almost every single one of my co-workers is also signed on.
-“Chat buddy” friendships evolve out of sheer convenience (I mean hey if your both bored at work then who honestly cares if you aren't best buds)
-Other working folk know an ample amount of information about you. Sometimes they’ll even slip the whole “I saw it on your face book”
-If they aren’t visibly “online”, they’ll send you a message, post something on your wall, or comment on your status. (a-HA! They are ashamed and hiding)
- My daytime newsfeed is clogged with status updates of other youngsters such as myself, bored at their jobs, either
a) discussing their boredom
b) commenting on other people’s newsfeeds
c) proclaiming other random pointless facts about their lives because they have nothing THAT interesting to talk about midday in a cubicle

Why Facebook?

Again, the trend changes after college. It’s no longer a stalker tool. It’s more of a social network.

Here’s why:
-A painfully slow day of work doesn’t seem so bad when you realize your face book chat scroll is filled with people who are in your exact same shoes.
-You are constantly entertained between 8 and 5 p.m. by status updates that you can usually relate to. Believe me, when people are stone-cold bored you’ll be amazed at the intellect that can come out in a status update (as well as the amount of funny entertaining websites)
-You feel connected to the world. It can get awfully lonely in a cubicle.
-If a friend sends a chat message your way it provides a great break from, say, reading the Wall Street Journal online or whatever other incredibly boring activity you’re doing to fill time.
-There’s an unexplainable combination of comfort and empathy that comes from seeing/hearing other people lament about their job situations. (aka it selfishly makes you feel better about your own situation)

Every once in a while, this concept backfires.
For example seeing status updates such as:
"Thirsty Thursdays!"
"What a beautiful day"
"I love sleeping in"
or "business trip to England!"
won't exactly boost your morale. Likewise, daytime stalking is best to avoid if you think you won't like what you see. Because let's face it, in a cubicle you don't have many positive distractions going on. And that clock will start moving slower than you ever though it could.

Also be fair, this definitely doesn’t apply to the whole newly-grad population.
The outliers:
Those lucky enough to stay busy and challenged at their first “grown-up” job
Those whose companies are smart enough to block face book
Those who remain students at grad school, law school, ect.

to the above people: I am very, very jealous of you : )