If you are entering the job market, you will fail if you speak like a valley girl, especially if you are male. Get rid of that nasal whine. Chop those elongated two-note vowels. Drop that bored accent. Learn to pronounce like the most respected announcers on radio and TV. You sound like a slob if you drop your gs or say ta instead of to. People somewhat older than you will be evaluating you. Your sloppy speech habits irritate them even if your peers see no problem. You may complain this is unfair, but if you ignore my advice you will have a much harder time getting a job. In a tight job market, you need every edge you can get.
~ Roedy (born: 1948-02-04 age: 64)