To feel embarrassed about your occupation?

[Poppets14]

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?

I think I know what you mean but nevertheless, you have absolutely nothing to be embarrassed about. I think you should be proud that you're doing a job you love; you're good at it and it fits around your personal life.

Your job does not define you as a person. It's also nobody else's business! If they look down on you that says more about them than it does about you.

Haven't read all the thread yet.

I'm a dental hygienist but currently working as a GP receptionist. When I got the job, I thought I'd find it easy. After all, I had some medical knowledge, knew a computer programme etc.

Well, I got a shock. I found it so much harder than being a hygienist. I adore the job though. We are such a great team. It fits in with the children. However, I am looking at changing as I can't survive on £9 an hour (I'm a single mum).

Absolutely nothing to be ashamed of OP. Your job is a really important one and anyone who looks down on you is an idiot. Take pride in what you do.

Childminders, nursery workers, teachers are also extremely undervalued roles in our country. Your jobs are so bloody hard. Physically and emotionally demanding. I don’t know how you do it with such good humour and grace. I really wish your jobs were better paid because you deserve it.

Cleaners also deserve a shout out because you play such a vital role!

If your friends look down on what you do, they’re not your friends.

If you were my friends I couldn’t care less if you picked up dog shit for a living - if you’re happy that’s all that matters!

When someone asks what you do for a living say:
I’ve got the best job in the world!
I love my job!
It’s great. It fits in with my life.
I’ve made loads of friends
I get great job satisfaction

Don’t um ah or apologise

No I’m not embarrassed. I’ve got a degree and it’s been as much use as a chocolate fire guard but nothing to do with my job.

Some people have better opportunities in life, it’s not because they’re better. Luck plays a part in most things.

I don’t look down my nose at anyone, regardless of what job they do. No one knows how hard someone’s life is

I think anyone who works in the medical profession is fantastic because it's so essential. Being a cleaner or a receptionist in medicine is more noble than earning double as a temp in a bank or selling insurance in my opinion

@Poppets14, I’ve never cared what job people do as long as they are happy. But I did train hard and went to uni and strived for a big successful career which I felt proud of. I carried on until my boy was three and then I realised how jealous I was of others in a way because I was always trying to balance family and career so I gave it up last year. I’m now so happy, no stress with work, I can be there for my children and when I do get a job I don’t even want to return to that. I just want an easy simple job where I walk in, do it and go home with no worries. I’m happy for the mums that can do both but believe me when I say that some may actually be a bit envious of your job choice. As long as you are happy that’s all that matters.

I don't think you should be ashamed, OP, but I do understand what you mean. I used to be a teaching assistant. I was good at that job and I enjoyed it but my mother clearly thought there was something wrong with it as she told our extended family and her friends that I was a teacher instead. Some very embarrassing moments when I had to explain to these people that I wasn't. I also got 'anyone can do that job, all you do is play with and tidy up after kids' and similar comments from various people - by the time I left, I had a lot of experience and was doing specialist work with children who had SEN. So I wasn't embarrassed by the job itself, but by the way others (including my mother) seemed to look down on it.

@PurpleEchoLamp

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

Oh come on! I’m intrigued. Is it something like a wobble board? (Just heard that one the other day from another thread on celebs). Or the triangle and you get to go “ding” every few minutes? Can’t think what instrument would be embarrassing.

I'm an unpaid carer & disabled myself too, but not visibly so. I hate it when I get asked "what do you do?"

I do understand what you mean OP, I work in Social Care and although I love the job I do, it is something that people tend to look down on as 'unskilled', people have made comments about me 'not being clever enough to be a nurse' etc.

We live in a society where status and money = success, but its not always the case. I know a handful of people who are ery successful but are unhappy with stress at work.

Fwiw, I’ve spent the last 20yrs and tens of thousands of pounds striving towards my professional career only to realise I’d be happier in a lower paid job I enjoy! What a make in money, I seem to lose in quality of life anyway. And anyone who would judge you negatively based on your job is an idiot. You can judge them right back!

Don't ever feel embarrassed OP. And I think you'll find that you have lots of skills, otherwise you wouldn't have been employed for that long. A good job is one that you enjoy. Be proud of what you do.

No need to be embarrassed, you work hard

Tbh it's your g p practice that should be embarrassed at paying so badly for what I know to be a very demanding and stressful job - join a union ASAP and demand to know why the practice pays you so badly, g Os earn more averagely than the Prime minister - they are is treating you tbh

I do know what you mean but the conclusion I came to a long time ago was that I’m a worker. Not a leader, no desire to ‘manage’, no aspirations in the working world other than to my job well.

The world needs a range of people, and all the nuances that go with that, to function.

I play a huge role for what is, ultimately, a snapshot in someone’s life and that’s of equal importance.

I’m also surprised a medical receptionist is minimum wage.

My husband always says he is an office clerk if anyone asks him. He does indeed work in an office but he is the managing director of a medium sized company. He says if people look down on him as an office clerk but want to know him as the Managing Director then they arent worth knowing.

I personally view it as every single job is a small cog and without every cog things stop turning making every job important in its own way

Not a reason to be ashamed! I consider it a decent job in a clean place, i'd take it happily. I remember that I used to be ashamed when i worked as a cleaner untill someone told me you should only be ashamed if you'd be a theft or beggar but as long as you do the best to make a good job you should be proud of you as you do something to worth the money .

@the80sweregreat

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.

Same! I am in a "professional" job which is relatively well paid (not the 6 figures though) and I must admit I am in awe and slightly envious of jobs that other people do. I love people watching and am intrigued by people so a job like yours I would find really interesting.

I certainly would not be embarrassed by your job OP. I don't think anyone in any sector should be embarrassed - at the end of the day everyone working is doing a vital role to someone, somewhere.

@Poppets14 I know of someone who had a stressful job in the city and left it to become a medical receptionist. She said that's the best decision she's ever made. You've got a decent, honest and a very important job. Dont feel embarrassed at all. No- you are probably not going to find a cure for cancer, but then most of us won't either.

@PurpleEchoLamp is it the Bassoon? Reminds me of Fleabag

I understand where you're coming from, I'm a stay at home mum (on a career break) and I feel that people do judge me for not working. Some people will look down on you for the type of job you have, but in my opinion those people aren't worth your time! To me, your job does not reflect yoye worth.

You need a new mindset, and not give a fig about what you think others may think about jobs. Your job is important, and you enjoy it, so that's all that should matter to you..