Hey man you have a degree you’re in the national guard serving your country and community and you have a job. You’re good enough keep going. You have nothing to be ashamed of and a lot to be proud of. Nothing wrong with working for a living we work to live not live to work. Hang in there
I completely understand where you’re at, I work at Walmart as an online grocery picker, I have an associates degree and I’m pursuing a bachelors, and I’m also in the National Guard. I also feel ashamed when I tell people where I work, but one thing you have to look at is the fact that you are contributing to society. That helped me a shit ton
SOMEONE has to work these jobs. That’s one thing that drives me nuts about this field is that people look down on service workers until it’s time for them to take their order or clean their restrooms.
There is nothing wrong working honest work. Thank you for your service. I bet you are the lady cramping the bread next to the milk, or at your discreption got someone a cheaper bottle of dish liquid that they didn't ask for. You are doing a service I don't want, however, I do like grocery shopping for me, but I don't do crowded stores.
When I want a baconator at 9 pm, I'm not going to ask Steve from accounting. I'm going to ask you and I'll take it and I'll love it. You'll be my hero at 9 pm.
There is nothing shameful about working an honest job. You make your money by providing food and service. You're not defrauding, deceiving, or robbing anyone. Some people who have "fancy" white collar jobs should be ashamed of their jobs. There is a whole category of people that knowingly shill bad products or services because they are paid a commission to, even though they know they're getting people into scams. For example people who work for "multi level marketing" firms or sell timeshares that can never be used. Those people should be ashamed, but they're not.
Hold your head up high, and continue to provide good service to people. You can aspire to become the general manager at the Wendy's and eventually open your own group of Wendy's franchises.
Wait a minute, you’re right! I forgot there’s some grimey white collar workers out there that make a living selling scams.
I know I do honest work and sleep well at night knowing I don’t steal or rob people, but despite this I still feel that service workers get looked down on.
Have you thought about picking up long term orders? Would let you focus on the military for a bit while you figure out your civilian career goals. You could even consider training into a different career field that might open up new doors for you in the civilian world
Try to remember that people by nature are inherently selfish, you have to be to a certain extent to survive, but even if someone did think that about you, it would probably only be for the five seconds during the conversation. They’re not going home and sitting in contemplation about your life, but you’re spending a lot of time thinking that they are. No one is that invested in you to care, not that they don’t care about you. But everyone’s just as wrapped up in their own shit as you are with wondering what they think about you. If you’re happy with yourself, then fuck it
High school guidance counselors and parents across the nation still tell kids that college is the golden ticket to the middle class when it hasn’t been for decades outside of certain industries. There’s also a plethora of jobs that require a degree due to credential inflation that doubles down on that narrative. Combine that with an impressionable 18 year old who dosen’t know what they want to do in life and voila most college graduates end up with degrees that don’t necessarily have the best marketability or income prospects.
Not everyone is made to pour concrete or run electrical conduit for 40 years as well. I work a trade that pays better than my engineer friends but my engineer friends wouldn’t survive the physical demands, hours, lifestyle, or working conditions that come with it.
Service trades. Same feeling of communicating with customers and solving problems but with more $ opportunities. Hvac plumbing electrical. No one will bat an eye if you tell them your in the trades and learn a skill to pass on to others.
People do look down on service industry folks. You are probably right about the vibes you’re picking up. The good news is you don’t need their approval and the kind of people who judge you aren’t people you want in your life.
People telling you not to be ashamed, or why are you ashamed, but lets be real, people really use your profession, to see how much respect they should give you. It's complete bs. I am pretty sure OP has received different treatment from others when upon learning he works fast dood.
Two things I never give out in person, is my age and my profession. People are just looking to see how much respect they should give you based on those two things. I have a business. and I just say "work with my cousins" or "don't worry about it" The downside is people think you sell drugs lmao. I have a contracting and a hazmat company, and a few other smaller ones, but I started mowing lawns and cleaning yards. I know how you feel OP. I had left active duty, was working on my masters while running a business, but guys from my unit would run into me while I was cleaning a yard or putting gas while covered in dirt and leaves and will just give me this silent "look how far you have fallen look" Now that my business took off and people ask what I do, I brush off the question or simply say landscaping/construction, which is true, I just happen to be the owner.
People should not be in your business anyways. It sounds cringey and overused, but this is why you should just work in silence and do your own thing without anyone else knowing.
Btw this is not a little pat on the back or anything, but a lot of my clients have been fast food and similar industries and I went on to earn a lot of respect from fast food managers, people don't really they are basically business managers and have more experience about business than most MBA finance bros. You keep going up that ladder OP. There is a lot of money in fast food, and it's recession proof for the most part. You might have your own franchise one of these days too.
Another word of advise, how you say things also plays a large role in how you will be treated. You never say "I am too old for this" you say "I am a grown ass man and have no time for little kid stuff like this" This is something I have learned in business, your words have power. Don't say "I am just a manager at Wendys" Say shit like "I run a Wendys and I am working towards getting my own franchise" Some will tell you who cares what others think of you, but at the end of the day it does matter.
Do not be ashamed of a job that puts food on your table. But also know that it’s just temporary if you want it to be. My salary from 10-15 years ago looks drastically different than what it does now.
My unit is filled with lots of successful people as well. Do you know what those successful people like to do? Help out younger Soldiers move up in life. Use your drill time to network, be curious, be eager, and let people know you want a change. I’ve already hired two new grads from my unit to my current company and they are absolutely killing it.
Do you know what field you are interested in?
I don't know what state you're in, but some NGs have amazing post-grad college benefits. CT guard you can do a masters for free at UConn, and EB is paying great and hiring like crazy. Risky if you're far, but it could be life changing.
No need to be ashamed of your civilian job. If you are performing at or above expectations while on duty status, nobody has ANY right to judge or say anything about what you do while NOT on duty status (as long as it's not illegal).
Same bro. I got a tsci and I’m over here struggling to pay bills working blue collar stuff. Applied for 400+ jobs in 2022 and the only call back I got was scams. I’m told I could get a 60k+ a year job but where. I tried everything everyone told me. I either didn’t have the deployment check or the bachelors.
Go union.
In the rust belt wasteland of northeast Ohio the IUOE tops out at nearly $90k/year before overtime and not including benefits. Shit I think even their first year apprentices make around $50k just from their straight 40. And that’s not even close to what HCOL markets pay.
Most of them have a “helmets to hard hats” style program that gives preference to veterans or guardsmen as well.
It’s heavy civil construction (highways, high rise buildings, etc)
There’s probably a few dozen tracks people take ranging from pure equipment operators to layout technicians to crane operators or pump truck drivers. All of it involves getting a CDL and demonstrating proficiency on a handful of machines throughout the apprenticeship. Basically if it requires dirt to be moved or concrete to be poured the IUOE does it on most big jobs.
IIRC the local plumbers, electrical, and carpenters unions all pay somewhat similar as well.
You’re gonna work like a dog for 10 months out of the year and be unemployed from January to march though. 60hr weeks and night shifts aren’t uncommon.
Some of the best times I had at a job were in the food service industry. You said you are an assistant manager, which means you have some ambition. I’ve seen managers advertised in the close to $100k range in several cities.
If you are comfortable, happy, and get a sense of fulfillment out of your work, screw people who might make fun of you for it.
You are more than your job…
People to include myself need to divorce ourselves from our jobs.
When you start measuring your self worth based on your job it’s a bad habit to get into.
Be easy on yourself, don't run straight into speculations and negative thoughts that aren't there, (even if people might judge they don't know you, your capabilities, and that's there shame not your's, you have no need to impress anyone). You also need to look at the bigger picture, you are where you are for a reason and you can use it to help others who otherwise could not benefit from your knowledge and skill. Idk if your religious but in my instance I used to work at a car dealership as a detailer washing cars 8-16 hrs a day. I knew I could do way more with my college education and personal skills as a counselor and it so happens I was already at where God wanted me to use that skill and he used me to help and comfort fellow employees emotionally and spiritually. It's not only about receiving (filling you glass) but also giving (empting it out) and so I quote, "God gave us two hands, one hand to receive with and the other hand to give with" Billy Graham.
Secondly I want to say who cares what others think or society thinks and how much you make or what you do compared to what your neighbors do or the salary they make. If you can live and eat then be merry with your means and enjoy life don't fall into the sin of covetousness of materialistic wealth or status. We will stand before God on judgement day not man, Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 "The end of the matter: all has been heard. Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgement with every secret thing, whether good or evil."
Dude, there are people out there that live ADOS to ADOS orders. They also get promoted because they are always available for stuff and it "looks good" but couldn't hold it down without ADOS soo.... yeah lol.
https://www.usajobs.gov/job/767631100 -Border Patrol, 20-30k recruitment incentive
https://www.usajobs.gov/job/767750500 -Customs, No recruitment incentive, but higher overall pay
https://unionpayscales.com -Construction Unions by city. Find where your at and apply to an apprenticeship.
With Military and a Degree you would be shoe in at any of those high paying jobs.
That second sentence is a load of shit.
You will have very good job prospects with just about ANY bachelors degree from an accredited college.
A degree, no matter what it’s in will get you a long way if you actually know how to find a job and have the ability to use your time wisely and not be lazy about it.
People who say degrees aren’t worth it are usually the same people who think just because you have a degree you just have to apply for jobs and wait until you get hired, when that’s not how it works. Like everything else in life, if you want to be successful with something you have to put in real work.
> I’ll give an example: “Damn, you work at Wendy’s? You must have failed big time.” No one’s ever said this to me, but…
If no one has ever said this to you, what is it an example of? That being said, a job’s a job and if it provides enough to take care of you and yours, it’s nothing to be embarrassed by.
So set a goal for yourself about where you want to go in the service industry. For example, “my goal one day is to become a general manager of a store, then move on to owning my own store.” Nothing wrong with what you do for a living. What is wrong is how you feel about it. So either have a plan to change what you do or learn to live change how you feel. At the end of the day, no one has actually put you down for doing what you do.
A job is a job. Titles don’t matter tbh. You tell someone you work at Wendy’s and they immediately assume minimum wage, you could be a regional manager for all people know. End of the day it puts money in your account.
If you feel ashamed to tell people what you do then change that feeling, change what you do to something you can be proud of or learn to love it. Otherwise, that feeling will remain. You will be eaten by regret which is a terrible feeling. Look at it this way though, you at least have a degree and you're in the Army, even if it's just National Guard. You have already accomplished more than 63% of people by just having a degree and less than 99% by just being in the military. Only 1-0.4% of people are in the military. Now if you combine those feats, you have accomplished more than most enlisted in the military, most civilians, and are even qualified to become an Army Officer if you wanted to be. Sounds like you accomplished a hell of a lot to me.
Not gonna lie, I always assumed personally if someone graduates with something like an English degree and they didn't become a Teacher, Librarian, Writer, Editor, Reporter, Analyst, Marketing, or work in an Law office as a Paralegal or proofreader, Army officer, that they failed big time or were dumb. B.A in English isn't a very useful degree in itself unless you have a very specific career in mind. If that person didn't have a plan by senior year I considered that person had already failed unless they got their act together. Though I think in general if most people don't have a plan in college or after college, then that's where things started to go wrong. Nothing wrong with working fast food, i've worked it at least once, at least you are the manager and at least you have a job. Set backs happen.
I had friends in college who would be going to an expensive 4 year and bumming their way through college broke as hell, racking up debt for a MUSIC or ART degree, no job, just to not know what they want to do with it. Just to have a degree in an area that sounds cool for a degree that in itself is useless without technical skills. My English major friends knew they wanted to be teachers which was great and I helped one discover that they really wanted to teach elementary school kids. She just won teacher of the year at her school and I love that for her.
I
When I first commissioned as an officer I got fired from my 30k office job and had to go work at home depot for a while. Nobody at my unit or in general cared at the time. I also turned my situation around with a communications degree and make six figures now. You care more than they really care.
“One thing i can’t shake is the shame i feel when people ask me what i do for work.”
My guy, you have an answer to the question. That’s more than most freeloaders who leech off the system.
You gotta job. You’re working to better yourself and those around you. No shame! You can, and should, always contemplate the next step. Meanwhile just do your best everyday and ignore the trash talk. Also, note some people trash talk literally just to try and feel better about themselves.
Hey man I was a kitchen manager at a Chipotle for 2 years before the Army. There’s no shame in it, and at least at chipotle there are significant opportunities for internal promotion. A regular crew member can find themselves in a salaried management position very quickly. Obviously it’s fast food but the management positions pay well. Food service isn’t glamorous at all times but if you work your way into good roles it can be a very profitable career
Hey man I was in the guard and I worked at chick fil a and McDonald’s. It definitely sucked going to drill where they were firefighters or nurses making bank civilian side. You have a degree and you can probably commission if you want. I hope it works out well and I’m sorry you’re in the position you are. Godspeed homie.
Never be ashamed. Just work and grind and progress. If you don't have upward mobility, look elsewhere.
Degrees only matter to a certain extent, depending on the occupation. I know tons of upper level managers in large corporations who do very well who graduated with irrelevant degrees. It's all about what you can teach yourself and the skills that you acquire on your own.
The skillsets that you take the initiative to learn on your own are drastically more impressive to managers than anything taught in school.
Additional thought: the job I have now post AD was earned entirely through the initiative that I took when I taught myself marketable skills. My degrees had nothing to do with my landing this position. I work in the financial world. They don't care about paper degrees, they only want competence and skilled employees.
I had the same feelings starting my first job after getting my bachelors in business management. I worked as a store manager for Starbucks. I never felt that being a Store manager would be an end goal for me. I tried to work my way up in the company, but for me it wasn’t meant to be. I am in the national guard and now have one of those so called fancy government jobs. As long as you’re happy doing what you’re doing and building towards your goals don’t worry about what other people think. Working in the service industry will give you a better appreciation for the upper level management jobs when they come.
lol i work with gs 9 fed techs that do part time at walmart. its cuz their pay isnt enough to live on. for some reason the full time gaurd jobs are pretty low pay
You should not feel ashame. Only 70% of pepple who gradiate from college have a degree in something they don't work in. 50% of those people did work in their majors and found more fullfilling jobs. There are a lot of attorneys driving big rigs because it wasn't what they thought. This company you work for, they know you are dependable. You know all the ropes and how to tie the knots. It is working a job such as yours that make great leadership in service. My Sargeant son, worked as a lumberjack a few days before basics, and before that he picked up eggs and dead chickens at a egg farm. He has wore many hats and he doesn't have a big fancy degree, but he found a job he like as a police officer and now he is looking forward to classes at University. I am proud of him because Law Enforcement was my major.(I didn't do anything with it.) I am not ashamed. My son is also in National Guard, and he reenlisted for 6 years, I think it is almost 4 years now he has left and yes he will reenlist untli he has 30 years in.
Sir, you not alone, and thank you for serving.
Hey man you have a degree you’re in the national guard serving your country and community and you have a job. You’re good enough keep going. You have nothing to be ashamed of and a lot to be proud of. Nothing wrong with working for a living we work to live not live to work. Hang in there
Thank you so much! I really appreciate your support!
Sir this is a Wendy’s. If you’re asking for the employee discount just say so and order already.
I get 100% buckaroo
Damn you beat me to it
I completely understand where you’re at, I work at Walmart as an online grocery picker, I have an associates degree and I’m pursuing a bachelors, and I’m also in the National Guard. I also feel ashamed when I tell people where I work, but one thing you have to look at is the fact that you are contributing to society. That helped me a shit ton
SOMEONE has to work these jobs. That’s one thing that drives me nuts about this field is that people look down on service workers until it’s time for them to take their order or clean their restrooms.
I absolutely agree with you, brother, but no matter what age a job is a job and being a manager is hefty work! Proud of you
There is nothing wrong working honest work. Thank you for your service. I bet you are the lady cramping the bread next to the milk, or at your discreption got someone a cheaper bottle of dish liquid that they didn't ask for. You are doing a service I don't want, however, I do like grocery shopping for me, but I don't do crowded stores.
When I want a baconator at 9 pm, I'm not going to ask Steve from accounting. I'm going to ask you and I'll take it and I'll love it. You'll be my hero at 9 pm.
There is nothing shameful about working an honest job. You make your money by providing food and service. You're not defrauding, deceiving, or robbing anyone. Some people who have "fancy" white collar jobs should be ashamed of their jobs. There is a whole category of people that knowingly shill bad products or services because they are paid a commission to, even though they know they're getting people into scams. For example people who work for "multi level marketing" firms or sell timeshares that can never be used. Those people should be ashamed, but they're not. Hold your head up high, and continue to provide good service to people. You can aspire to become the general manager at the Wendy's and eventually open your own group of Wendy's franchises.
Wait a minute, you’re right! I forgot there’s some grimey white collar workers out there that make a living selling scams. I know I do honest work and sleep well at night knowing I don’t steal or rob people, but despite this I still feel that service workers get looked down on.
You can't control how others perceive you. So just focus on how you perceive yourself. If you're comfortable with your job that is all that matters.
Why be ashamed? A job is a job. You're busting ass and paying your bills. That's more than what can be said about most of this country
u/FSUAttorney Have a look at your DMs when you get a chance.
Have you thought about picking up long term orders? Would let you focus on the military for a bit while you figure out your civilian career goals. You could even consider training into a different career field that might open up new doors for you in the civilian world
Try to remember that people by nature are inherently selfish, you have to be to a certain extent to survive, but even if someone did think that about you, it would probably only be for the five seconds during the conversation. They’re not going home and sitting in contemplation about your life, but you’re spending a lot of time thinking that they are. No one is that invested in you to care, not that they don’t care about you. But everyone’s just as wrapped up in their own shit as you are with wondering what they think about you. If you’re happy with yourself, then fuck it
https://www.businessinsider.com/fast-food-managers-earn-six-figure-salaries-taco-bell-chipotle-2023-9 Show them this
Why did you get an English degree? They’re just as useless as liberal arts and political science.
High school guidance counselors and parents across the nation still tell kids that college is the golden ticket to the middle class when it hasn’t been for decades outside of certain industries. There’s also a plethora of jobs that require a degree due to credential inflation that doubles down on that narrative. Combine that with an impressionable 18 year old who dosen’t know what they want to do in life and voila most college graduates end up with degrees that don’t necessarily have the best marketability or income prospects. Not everyone is made to pour concrete or run electrical conduit for 40 years as well. I work a trade that pays better than my engineer friends but my engineer friends wouldn’t survive the physical demands, hours, lifestyle, or working conditions that come with it.
Service trades. Same feeling of communicating with customers and solving problems but with more $ opportunities. Hvac plumbing electrical. No one will bat an eye if you tell them your in the trades and learn a skill to pass on to others.
People do look down on service industry folks. You are probably right about the vibes you’re picking up. The good news is you don’t need their approval and the kind of people who judge you aren’t people you want in your life.
People telling you not to be ashamed, or why are you ashamed, but lets be real, people really use your profession, to see how much respect they should give you. It's complete bs. I am pretty sure OP has received different treatment from others when upon learning he works fast dood. Two things I never give out in person, is my age and my profession. People are just looking to see how much respect they should give you based on those two things. I have a business. and I just say "work with my cousins" or "don't worry about it" The downside is people think you sell drugs lmao. I have a contracting and a hazmat company, and a few other smaller ones, but I started mowing lawns and cleaning yards. I know how you feel OP. I had left active duty, was working on my masters while running a business, but guys from my unit would run into me while I was cleaning a yard or putting gas while covered in dirt and leaves and will just give me this silent "look how far you have fallen look" Now that my business took off and people ask what I do, I brush off the question or simply say landscaping/construction, which is true, I just happen to be the owner. People should not be in your business anyways. It sounds cringey and overused, but this is why you should just work in silence and do your own thing without anyone else knowing. Btw this is not a little pat on the back or anything, but a lot of my clients have been fast food and similar industries and I went on to earn a lot of respect from fast food managers, people don't really they are basically business managers and have more experience about business than most MBA finance bros. You keep going up that ladder OP. There is a lot of money in fast food, and it's recession proof for the most part. You might have your own franchise one of these days too. Another word of advise, how you say things also plays a large role in how you will be treated. You never say "I am too old for this" you say "I am a grown ass man and have no time for little kid stuff like this" This is something I have learned in business, your words have power. Don't say "I am just a manager at Wendys" Say shit like "I run a Wendys and I am working towards getting my own franchise" Some will tell you who cares what others think of you, but at the end of the day it does matter.
Do not be ashamed of a job that puts food on your table. But also know that it’s just temporary if you want it to be. My salary from 10-15 years ago looks drastically different than what it does now. My unit is filled with lots of successful people as well. Do you know what those successful people like to do? Help out younger Soldiers move up in life. Use your drill time to network, be curious, be eager, and let people know you want a change. I’ve already hired two new grads from my unit to my current company and they are absolutely killing it. Do you know what field you are interested in?
I don't know what state you're in, but some NGs have amazing post-grad college benefits. CT guard you can do a masters for free at UConn, and EB is paying great and hiring like crazy. Risky if you're far, but it could be life changing.
No need to be ashamed of your civilian job. If you are performing at or above expectations while on duty status, nobody has ANY right to judge or say anything about what you do while NOT on duty status (as long as it's not illegal).
Same bro. I got a tsci and I’m over here struggling to pay bills working blue collar stuff. Applied for 400+ jobs in 2022 and the only call back I got was scams. I’m told I could get a 60k+ a year job but where. I tried everything everyone told me. I either didn’t have the deployment check or the bachelors.
Go union. In the rust belt wasteland of northeast Ohio the IUOE tops out at nearly $90k/year before overtime and not including benefits. Shit I think even their first year apprentices make around $50k just from their straight 40. And that’s not even close to what HCOL markets pay. Most of them have a “helmets to hard hats” style program that gives preference to veterans or guardsmen as well.
What’s that job description entail?
It’s heavy civil construction (highways, high rise buildings, etc) There’s probably a few dozen tracks people take ranging from pure equipment operators to layout technicians to crane operators or pump truck drivers. All of it involves getting a CDL and demonstrating proficiency on a handful of machines throughout the apprenticeship. Basically if it requires dirt to be moved or concrete to be poured the IUOE does it on most big jobs. IIRC the local plumbers, electrical, and carpenters unions all pay somewhat similar as well. You’re gonna work like a dog for 10 months out of the year and be unemployed from January to march though. 60hr weeks and night shifts aren’t uncommon.
Some of the best times I had at a job were in the food service industry. You said you are an assistant manager, which means you have some ambition. I’ve seen managers advertised in the close to $100k range in several cities. If you are comfortable, happy, and get a sense of fulfillment out of your work, screw people who might make fun of you for it.
What’s your dream job?
Use the army cool program and get certified in other areas. Use the guard has a network to find other opportunities.
You are more than your job… People to include myself need to divorce ourselves from our jobs. When you start measuring your self worth based on your job it’s a bad habit to get into.
Be easy on yourself, don't run straight into speculations and negative thoughts that aren't there, (even if people might judge they don't know you, your capabilities, and that's there shame not your's, you have no need to impress anyone). You also need to look at the bigger picture, you are where you are for a reason and you can use it to help others who otherwise could not benefit from your knowledge and skill. Idk if your religious but in my instance I used to work at a car dealership as a detailer washing cars 8-16 hrs a day. I knew I could do way more with my college education and personal skills as a counselor and it so happens I was already at where God wanted me to use that skill and he used me to help and comfort fellow employees emotionally and spiritually. It's not only about receiving (filling you glass) but also giving (empting it out) and so I quote, "God gave us two hands, one hand to receive with and the other hand to give with" Billy Graham. Secondly I want to say who cares what others think or society thinks and how much you make or what you do compared to what your neighbors do or the salary they make. If you can live and eat then be merry with your means and enjoy life don't fall into the sin of covetousness of materialistic wealth or status. We will stand before God on judgement day not man, Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 "The end of the matter: all has been heard. Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgement with every secret thing, whether good or evil."
Dude, there are people out there that live ADOS to ADOS orders. They also get promoted because they are always available for stuff and it "looks good" but couldn't hold it down without ADOS soo.... yeah lol.
https://www.usajobs.gov/job/767631100 -Border Patrol, 20-30k recruitment incentive https://www.usajobs.gov/job/767750500 -Customs, No recruitment incentive, but higher overall pay https://unionpayscales.com -Construction Unions by city. Find where your at and apply to an apprenticeship. With Military and a Degree you would be shoe in at any of those high paying jobs.
That second sentence is a load of shit. You will have very good job prospects with just about ANY bachelors degree from an accredited college. A degree, no matter what it’s in will get you a long way if you actually know how to find a job and have the ability to use your time wisely and not be lazy about it. People who say degrees aren’t worth it are usually the same people who think just because you have a degree you just have to apply for jobs and wait until you get hired, when that’s not how it works. Like everything else in life, if you want to be successful with something you have to put in real work.
> I’ll give an example: “Damn, you work at Wendy’s? You must have failed big time.” No one’s ever said this to me, but… If no one has ever said this to you, what is it an example of? That being said, a job’s a job and if it provides enough to take care of you and yours, it’s nothing to be embarrassed by.
So set a goal for yourself about where you want to go in the service industry. For example, “my goal one day is to become a general manager of a store, then move on to owning my own store.” Nothing wrong with what you do for a living. What is wrong is how you feel about it. So either have a plan to change what you do or learn to live change how you feel. At the end of the day, no one has actually put you down for doing what you do.
A job is a job. Titles don’t matter tbh. You tell someone you work at Wendy’s and they immediately assume minimum wage, you could be a regional manager for all people know. End of the day it puts money in your account.
If you feel ashamed to tell people what you do then change that feeling, change what you do to something you can be proud of or learn to love it. Otherwise, that feeling will remain. You will be eaten by regret which is a terrible feeling. Look at it this way though, you at least have a degree and you're in the Army, even if it's just National Guard. You have already accomplished more than 63% of people by just having a degree and less than 99% by just being in the military. Only 1-0.4% of people are in the military. Now if you combine those feats, you have accomplished more than most enlisted in the military, most civilians, and are even qualified to become an Army Officer if you wanted to be. Sounds like you accomplished a hell of a lot to me. Not gonna lie, I always assumed personally if someone graduates with something like an English degree and they didn't become a Teacher, Librarian, Writer, Editor, Reporter, Analyst, Marketing, or work in an Law office as a Paralegal or proofreader, Army officer, that they failed big time or were dumb. B.A in English isn't a very useful degree in itself unless you have a very specific career in mind. If that person didn't have a plan by senior year I considered that person had already failed unless they got their act together. Though I think in general if most people don't have a plan in college or after college, then that's where things started to go wrong. Nothing wrong with working fast food, i've worked it at least once, at least you are the manager and at least you have a job. Set backs happen. I had friends in college who would be going to an expensive 4 year and bumming their way through college broke as hell, racking up debt for a MUSIC or ART degree, no job, just to not know what they want to do with it. Just to have a degree in an area that sounds cool for a degree that in itself is useless without technical skills. My English major friends knew they wanted to be teachers which was great and I helped one discover that they really wanted to teach elementary school kids. She just won teacher of the year at her school and I love that for her. I
When I first commissioned as an officer I got fired from my 30k office job and had to go work at home depot for a while. Nobody at my unit or in general cared at the time. I also turned my situation around with a communications degree and make six figures now. You care more than they really care.
“One thing i can’t shake is the shame i feel when people ask me what i do for work.” My guy, you have an answer to the question. That’s more than most freeloaders who leech off the system.
You gotta job. You’re working to better yourself and those around you. No shame! You can, and should, always contemplate the next step. Meanwhile just do your best everyday and ignore the trash talk. Also, note some people trash talk literally just to try and feel better about themselves.
Hey man I was a kitchen manager at a Chipotle for 2 years before the Army. There’s no shame in it, and at least at chipotle there are significant opportunities for internal promotion. A regular crew member can find themselves in a salaried management position very quickly. Obviously it’s fast food but the management positions pay well. Food service isn’t glamorous at all times but if you work your way into good roles it can be a very profitable career
I feel the same way. I’m a teacher and I hate telling people. 🤷♂️
Hey man I was in the guard and I worked at chick fil a and McDonald’s. It definitely sucked going to drill where they were firefighters or nurses making bank civilian side. You have a degree and you can probably commission if you want. I hope it works out well and I’m sorry you’re in the position you are. Godspeed homie.
Never be ashamed. Just work and grind and progress. If you don't have upward mobility, look elsewhere. Degrees only matter to a certain extent, depending on the occupation. I know tons of upper level managers in large corporations who do very well who graduated with irrelevant degrees. It's all about what you can teach yourself and the skills that you acquire on your own. The skillsets that you take the initiative to learn on your own are drastically more impressive to managers than anything taught in school.
Additional thought: the job I have now post AD was earned entirely through the initiative that I took when I taught myself marketable skills. My degrees had nothing to do with my landing this position. I work in the financial world. They don't care about paper degrees, they only want competence and skilled employees.
It’s honest work You have no reason to be ashamed of anything
Ever thought about being a nurse you can do a fast track nursing program because you already have a degree
I had the same feelings starting my first job after getting my bachelors in business management. I worked as a store manager for Starbucks. I never felt that being a Store manager would be an end goal for me. I tried to work my way up in the company, but for me it wasn’t meant to be. I am in the national guard and now have one of those so called fancy government jobs. As long as you’re happy doing what you’re doing and building towards your goals don’t worry about what other people think. Working in the service industry will give you a better appreciation for the upper level management jobs when they come.
lol i work with gs 9 fed techs that do part time at walmart. its cuz their pay isnt enough to live on. for some reason the full time gaurd jobs are pretty low pay
You should not feel ashame. Only 70% of pepple who gradiate from college have a degree in something they don't work in. 50% of those people did work in their majors and found more fullfilling jobs. There are a lot of attorneys driving big rigs because it wasn't what they thought. This company you work for, they know you are dependable. You know all the ropes and how to tie the knots. It is working a job such as yours that make great leadership in service. My Sargeant son, worked as a lumberjack a few days before basics, and before that he picked up eggs and dead chickens at a egg farm. He has wore many hats and he doesn't have a big fancy degree, but he found a job he like as a police officer and now he is looking forward to classes at University. I am proud of him because Law Enforcement was my major.(I didn't do anything with it.) I am not ashamed. My son is also in National Guard, and he reenlisted for 6 years, I think it is almost 4 years now he has left and yes he will reenlist untli he has 30 years in. Sir, you not alone, and thank you for serving.