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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:
CrankyFrankie · 11/10/2021 20:28

Oh sorry I meant to say is there not some training/progression they can offer you if you’re getting restless?

Alicesays · 11/10/2021 20:28

@PurpleEchoLamp

Yes, me, I'm a musician but play an embarrassing instrument 🤣 not telling!
Is it the triangle Grin not that the triangle is an embarrassing instrument but a funny one! I honestly cannot think of a single embarrassing instrument.
LadyofMisrule · 11/10/2021 20:28

If lockdown has shown us anything it is that the definition of what is an "important" job is not as clear as some people would have you believe. Own your worth, whatever you do. Smile

Alicesays · 11/10/2021 20:31

She says it’s because our levels of intelligence doesn’t match and she would bore us all

That's so lucky because you don't socialise with cunts, your levels of worthiness don't match and she'd feel really out of place amongst all the nice people.

stillcrazyafterall · 11/10/2021 20:31

@PurpleEchoLamp

Yes, me, I'm a musician but play an embarrassing instrument 🤣 not telling!
You're a trianglist aren't you?
SoSo99 · 11/10/2021 20:33

Today, when I called my GP surgery I was treated in the most professional manner by the receptionist who dealt swiftly and patiently with my questions. I thanked my lucky stars that people like her (and you) are so good at your jobs.

Lessofallthisunpleasantness · 11/10/2021 20:33

Yeah sometimes. As a fluffer lots of women often don't know what it is but most men do. It can be awkward at parties. I usually say I am an accountant instead to be honest.

DanceyBee · 11/10/2021 20:34

I’m a medical receptionist and not at all embarrassed. Should I be?! Confused

Dancingonmoonlight · 11/10/2021 20:40

I left a job that paid five times my current salary. My children were being raised by a nanny. I had to choose between seeing them in the morning or the evening as, although my hours were office hours, with my commute, it meant they were still sleeping when I left to go to work or they were in bed when I returned.

I gave it up and took five years off. When I returned to work, I got a low paid job working mornings from home. My children are older now and in school and I can take them to school and pick them up. They do activities every day after school and I can taxi them around as needed.

Yet when people ask me what I 'do', I am embarrassed nowadays when previously I was quite assertive with my role.
But I can't imagine returning to the full time role and previous way of life and I'm still really grateful for being able to balance work very easily with family life.
I wouldn't look down on a medical receptionist. These days I'm far more likely to congratulate you on finding a part-time role that is easy to manage around family life.

cherish123 · 11/10/2021 20:43

Nothing to be ashamed of. I am sure you help loads of people in need. You also seem very 😊 happy.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 11/10/2021 20:44

I wouldn’t look down on any particular job, but medical receptionist definitely doesn’t sound like one people would look down on.

Happyhappyday · 11/10/2021 20:46

I think it’s a pretty normal feeling where ever you are on the income/education spectrum. It’s hard not to compare yourself to others and there will ALWAYS be someone who seems to have a more exciting career. I went to Oxbridge, post grad at top uni on my field but all my friends also went to Oxbridge and most have done post docs, so I still feel under educated. I earn a 6 figure salary in a really fun industry working for the leading company that is an excellent employer and I like my job… but my neighbors all work for Facebook earning a quarter of a million plus stock… and one of them just divorced because one partner earning that salary still felt under a huge amount of pressure to “Do More”. My close friends are all high earners but working for really high profile non profits in public health so my job ends up feeling like a bit of fluff…

You can’t win! Or you can, if you remind yourself being happy and fulfilled with your whole life is most important but it’s pretty bloody hard.

Garriet · 11/10/2021 20:50

I don’t tell people what I do either, but I’m a social worker so it’s mostly to avoid the catty comments about child snatching.

Honestly OP if people are snobby and condescending about your perfectly good and respectable job, it’s them who are the problem not you.

DeborahAnnabel · 11/10/2021 20:53

I have what you would probably deem a flash job. And yet I've always thought that a medical receptionist must be quite a fun job. And the fact that you have flexibility around school. Many women would give anything for that.

Beautybunny · 11/10/2021 21:00

@Dancingonmoonlight
I went back to work this year on five times the salary I earnt in 2019 as I was a carer. Do I like it more? hell no. As my late parents would say, be careful what you wish for. I am saving for my retirement and then I am doing my garden. I love what I do but the politics are shit. I am nice, most people at my level are narcissistic. They love the money, don't want to pay lower down the tree and are nasty barstards. If you like your job and it is enough, good for you. X

AveryGoodlay · 11/10/2021 21:03

I used to get so many horrible remarks about being a carer. Especially from my family. Yes I went to uni but whilst there I had a part time care job and found my calling. It made me so embarrassed at the time. Until one of the people I cared for handed me a card thanking me for what I'd done for them and how what I thought were small changes, had changed their life. I talk about my career with immense pride now. Many medical receptionists (and others working in the medical field- paramedics are awful for it) hugely look down on carers and the care sector and are often rude and speak to us like were stupid.

I will say this; Home owners, food on the table money for treats and the odd day out and annual uk holiday, petrol in the car. that is so much more than any of us (me included) have.

Tickiteeboo · 11/10/2021 21:04

I work in a supermarket.

I love it - constantly busy, the shifts fly by, and I'm not tied to a computer! I used to have a very different job which sounds more 'impressive' but the stress was bloody awful. I hated it. I realised that once I took my ego out of it, there was no reason to keep doing it.

People absolutely do look down on me now, and some friends stopped speaking to me, so job snobbery is definitely a thing.

I'm very lucky that I earned well in my previous job, I made good investments and with my partner's income too I don't have to work, but I choose to do a job I enjoy, that suits me, even if that job is traditionally looked down upon.

I don't judge anyone - you just can't know anyone's situation and place assumptions on them.

PS please be nice to supermarket staff, we are doing our best! GrinCake

Dancingonmoonlight · 11/10/2021 21:04

Beautybunny
Thank you. I hope your dreams for retirement are realised and you will be happy in your lovely garden x

Dancingonmoonlight · 11/10/2021 21:07

People absolutely do look down on me now, and some friends stopped speaking to me

I’m sorry this happened to you. I can say they weren’t good friends but it still hurts.
I’m glad to read you are happy. To me happiness and good health are the most valuable things somebody can have.

Onemorebaby · 11/10/2021 21:08

I think people will actually be jealous of you. You have a very important job with responsibility that you love and you can fit around your family. You have the best of both worlds and you are financially secure and can afford a nice lifestyle. Perfect!
So many are working full-time to achieve that and wishing they spent less time working.
I work as an AHP for the NHS and we think very highly of our admin team. We would be lost without them. I do think you are undervalued for what you do as it is not easy and I would imagine a lot of people applied for your role.

blueshiningsea · 11/10/2021 21:13

I’m a solicitor but always feel a bit arrogant saying this to plumbers/builders/tradesmen we have in the house, and think they may charge us more because they think we are minted (we aren’t). So say I work in an office doing a boring job (which strictly speaking is true!) and as I’m quite good at practical stuff always bond with them.

Lulu1919 · 11/10/2021 21:15

I've been in the same job for over 15 years
I do it well
I've got no formal qualifications ...I got this job before it was really asked for !
It's low pay no sick pay no holiday pay ...well I get four weeks pro rata and statutory sick pay,

But I work with lovely people most of whom I'd call friends ..good friends and I get the school holidays off which when a started was perfect !!!

chaosmaker · 11/10/2021 21:15

@PurpleEchoLamp

Yes, me, I'm a musician but play an embarrassing instrument 🤣 not telling!
triangle? Can't think of any instrument that's embarrassing, tbh
Zilla1 · 11/10/2021 21:20

Metal, punk or reggae accordion might take some styling out.

FuckingFabulous · 11/10/2021 21:21

I'm a SAHM and carer for my daughter. I would work if I could. Say SAHM to most and they think you're a kept woman. Say carer and they think you've fiddled the system for some reason! Or I get "yes, we are all carers for our children." I do feel embarrassed to say I'm either of these, especially as I actually want to work. I'm sick of being looked at like I've got such an easy life. I recall ranting a bit on Facebook about an exceptionally difficult day and a woman I know said "try doing all that AND a full days work. Some honest graft." And I just felt so humiliated. Like the 60 odd quid a week I get from the government for providing round the clock care is somehow dishonest and for obviously easy work.