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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To feel embarrassed about your occupation?

352 replies

Poppets14 · 10/10/2021 09:12

I’ve been a medical receptionist for 14 years. I really enjoy my job and consider some people I work with as friends.
It’s super flexible around childcare. I can also do my job blind folded.
The money is crap! Minimum wage.

Ive not got any skills or any qualifications to write home about so it’s not like I can just do something much different. I’m not the bread winner - it’s a part time job that fits in with the school run!

When people ask what I do I suddenly start feeling really embarrassed to tell them. Almost ashamed I’m not a’professional’
Some of my mum friends have been to uni and seem to have super flash jobs and I’m worried people look down on me for having a job so simple.

Anyone else feel embarrassed by their job? AIBU?

OP posts:
dudsville · 10/10/2021 09:15

People who look down on others for this reason are not good people.

Snoods · 10/10/2021 09:16

Having any job is something to be proud of. And it’s fantastic you have one where you have work friends and not just colleagues, and a great work life balance. Well done you, I say Smile

rrhuth · 10/10/2021 09:17

We live in a culture that equates work success with life success. They are not the same thing.

Are you happy? Are you providing a decent life for your family? Are you contributing something of use to society?

You have nothing to be ashamed of.

Many of the top professionals in my sector (I am in a support role) are hugely stressed and unhappy. I wouldn't swap. Plus loads of them have imposter sundrome so feel unsuccessful anyway Confused

singlemama91 · 10/10/2021 09:17

I feel the same as you OP. I am an administrator so it is pretty crap money and everyone i know seems to have a better job and be buying houses and everything

CornishTiger · 10/10/2021 09:17

I’m probably one of those you’d consider to have a super flash job. I don’t look down on anyone.

Personally I think medical receptionists do a critical challenging job.

YukoandHiro · 10/10/2021 09:18

OP anyone who looks down on you for having a good stable job isn't worth knowing.

Also a lot of those professional graduate jobs don't earn as much as you think. I'm PT in one of those jobs and when I say what I do it sounds a lot better than it is financially

Papertrain63 · 10/10/2021 09:19

I have never felt embarrassed OP and you should not either. Unfortunately when your a mum you do a job with what works for your home life as that's priority.

Lots of admin jobs on NHS that require typing and organisational skills so you definitely have skills OP. Some even are band 4 posts too. Look into it.

user7692398242 · 10/10/2021 09:19

I have a good job but I'm unhappy. I'm looking at lower paid jobs that I would be a lot more happy in.
Don't underestimate the power of being in a job that fits in with family life and one you enjoy

DressBitch · 10/10/2021 09:19

If you told me you were a medical receptionist I would think it's a pretty interesting job. I certainly wouldn't have thought it was minimum wage!

PurpleEchoLamp · 10/10/2021 09:20

Yes, me, I'm a musician but play an embarrassing instrument 🤣 not telling!

Original poster
Poppets14 · 10/10/2021 09:20

I’m very happy, me and my husband are fairly comfortable. Home owners, food on the table money for treats and the odd day out and annual uk holiday, petrol in the car.

I work with professionals and always feel the receptionists are bottom of the barrel.
Weirdly nurses seem to be ruder than doctors.

OP posts:
MrsSkylerWhite · 10/10/2021 09:21

Give yourself a talking to. Medical receptionist is a vital and much undervalued role. I wouldn’t take the crap from patients that you no doubt do for minimum wage.

Quite the opposite, you ought to be proud of what you do.

Jenster03 · 10/10/2021 09:21

I'm a teacher and I feel quite embarrassed about it sometimes.
There's a lot of hurtful comments not necessarily aimed at me personally but in the press and overhearing things like 'those who can, do, those who can't, teach'.

PatButchersEarrings67 · 10/10/2021 09:21

Yeah I feel the exact same as you and work in a similar sort of job. Again, I love my colleagues and the office social scene and the flexible hours have enabled me to raise dc and be there for school runs, assemblies and so on. I work from home now which is a different dynamic but still really easy.

The work is mind numbing but simple. But yes I do feel embarrassed about what I do because it feels so easy and irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. And the pay is terrible. As a single parent I replied heavily on UC to top me up. Now I have a partner who earns far more than me and we are comfortable but there is an element of shame in not being self sufficient. I dream of setting up my own multi million pound business or writing a bestselling book or inventing something that just makes me rich! But id still do my job on the side lol.

It's weird because it goes against everything I believe in. I don't judge others for their work or what they earn or what car they drive so why do I feel like this about myself?

violetbunny · 10/10/2021 09:22

It wouldn't even occur to me to look down on that as a job. If anything I'd feel a lot of respect, because I don't think it sounds like an easy job.

Original poster
Poppets14 · 10/10/2021 09:22

@MrsSkylerWhite

Give yourself a talking to. Medical receptionist is a vital and much undervalued role. I wouldn’t take the crap from patients that you no doubt do for minimum wage.

Quite the opposite, you ought to be proud of what you do.

Thank you 😊
OP posts:
the80sweregreat · 10/10/2021 09:23

I'd be impressed to be honest !
I only work a few hours a week, min wage and not as stressful as your job is I bet!
It suits me at my age and it brings in enough to pay a few small bills and that sense of self worth by working.
You are working and I wouldn't give a stuff what
anyone thinks of your job. It works for you and that is always a plus.

Howshouldibehave · 10/10/2021 09:24

@Jenster03

I'm a teacher and I feel quite embarrassed about it sometimes. There's a lot of hurtful comments not necessarily aimed at me personally but in the press and overhearing things like 'those who can, do, those who can't, teach'.
I was going to say the same.

You enjoy your job and you’re happy, OP-that’s more than many!

floweroverload · 10/10/2021 09:25

You are a success, your colleagues couldn't do their job without you there so you are very important in your role. You may find it easy but I bet if any of your colleagues had to step in, they wouldn't know what to do and how to do it.
I do admin and all my colleagues are training consultants. They would all find their jobs more challenging if I wasn't covering the small details. I'm lucky because they tell me how essential I am.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 10/10/2021 09:25

I work in a factory and in no way am I embarrassed by my job. I couldn't care less about impressing anyone or what they think of me.

SigningClerkWoes · 10/10/2021 09:26

I used to be ashamed to admit that I worked in a jobcentre but it was a well paid job, flexible hours (I worked school hours term times only) and a great social life with colleagues who genuinely looked out for each other. I loved helping customers. Yes there were some nasty people (and people who had read too much Daily Mail and thought the rules applied to everyone else but them) but you get that everywhere.

It's all transferable skills you've got @Poppets14 so if you did decide to move on you could. But there's nothing to be ashamed of by having a job.

AliMonkey · 10/10/2021 09:26

Nothing to be embarrassed about if you do the job well - it’s a vital job and I am surprised it’s minimum wage.

Nightbringer · 10/10/2021 09:26

I could say don't be embarrassed but I get it. I used to work in call centres. I was actually quite senior but did get a lot of people who seemed to look down on it.

Eventually, I just became fine with it.

Anyone who looks down on you for your job is a dick.

I have a 'professional role'. Dp works in warehouse. If anyone looked down on him because of his job I wouldn't associate with them again.

ArranMumma · 10/10/2021 09:26

I think a medical receptionist sounds like a good job to be honest! Yes it’s not “flashy” but still a good job. If you’re concerned about not feeling that you have anything to be proud of then you could work on some personal goals - start training for a 5k run or something! You might not feel proud saying you’re a medical receptionist but may feel proud telling people you’re a runner! :)

the80sweregreat · 10/10/2021 09:26

Most teachers or TAs I've ever met or worked with are never embarrassed by their jobs.
They are important and know that their job isn't easy. Same for the support staff
If all the teachers left where would we be?
All jobs have a reason to exist!