The
subtle, yet
disconcerting,
realization that
people no longer work for your
benefit anymore. This usually comes after
graduation, when one goes for
employment in the
real world. Its the realization that no longer are
parents there to
nurture you, the
school there to
educate you, and
companies there to
woo you for your
business.
Suddenly, its your job to put everyone else first. Its your job to care for other people, for you to instruct others. Its you who is now metaphorically licking the shoes of the potential customer who may bring a few extra dollars for your employers. You're not working for yourself; You work for your company, whose sole purpose is to make money to please the executives, the customers, and the shareholders. And while they will never admit it, the simple and plain fact is that you don't matter.
You are an means to an end, and the company will exploit that until you are no longer profitable.