Do you ever feel as an environmentally conscious and/or frugal person that you break social norms? Do you ever not do something that you think is the best choice because it would seem too “outlandish” or perhaps even unprofessional?

One of the great things about being a grad student is that the social and financial expectations are fairly low: while you are expected to be clean and tidy, it pretty much ends there. No one has a problem with thrift store clothes, or with you not checking your email at night because you don’t have DSL at home. Cars are not required and if you bring a lunch of rice and beans, no one thinks it’s weird. Roommates, used furniture, and mason jars as drinking glasses are all perfectly acceptable. I love it.

I think being a grad student is great because I can focus on doing something that I love without having to worrying about appearances. If my work is outstanding that is what people know me for, not my trendy clothes or Crate and Barrel furnishings. However, I do wonder what is going to happen when I get out. Somethings I know will have to change: no more sweatshirts or fabric patches on my worn jeans. But what about the other stuff: can I still bring beans and rice to work for lunch? Am I expected to wear makeup and have my hair professional styled? Am I going to have to buy a kitchen table and real bath mats?

Even with the “real jobs” that I’ve had, people always considered me as starting out and made allowances for such things, will they continue to do so? How much should I care (i.e. how much will it affect my career)? Have you ever struggled with this? Has it made you pick one job/career over the other? Do I just need to get with it and buy some new pants?