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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:
Penfield · 11/10/2021 21:24

I’m a midday assistant and I’m really proud of what I do. I love it too.

KristinAmandaThomas · 11/10/2021 21:27

I hate that people are snobby about jobs, how dare anyone be sneery towards someone earning a living doing a job that needs to be done.

Penfield · 11/10/2021 21:28

I’m also a carer for my disabled child @FuckingFabulous

Some ‘friends’ are very judgemental about that. Hence them no longer being my friends.

It’s the most worthwhile job I have ever done so I don’t give one tiny shiny shit what anyone thinks.

tootiredtospeak · 11/10/2021 21:29

Eh I have never looked down on a receptionist unless they are being arsey with me. No seriously it's a good solid job.

TheEvilPea · 11/10/2021 22:07

I find this all rather odd. Not doubting you OP - I am sure there are people like the idiotic doctor you mentioned who have such attitudes - but I'm shocked somebody would actually say that to someone even if they thought it! 😧

I work in a profession that requires many years of study and happens to be very well paid, eventually once you have enough expertise and experience, which also takes years of crazy hours at work.

I have never heard anybody speaking like this to the PAs that work for us, our admin staff, our post staff, our cleaners etc.

At home, I am a lone parent so to manage my demanding job and all of the logistics and financing everything while having small kids I have had to have nannies, a gardener, a cleaner etc or it would not be possible. I have huge respect for every single one of them and could not manage any of their jobs myself because of a combination of having ME and being autistic.

It sounds like you have met some shitty people and I'm sorry for that. It's best not to give people like this any headspace whatsoever. Usually they are being spiteful to take out their own insecurities on others.

TractorAndHeadphones · 11/10/2021 22:23

Medical people are mean for some reason. My aunt works in the lab and they’re always rude.
You have the dream life - a job you love and money to do everything you want. Who wouldn’t want that?

TractorAndHeadphones · 11/10/2021 22:31

Also who cares whether your job is interesting or how much. Pays you are much more than your job

winnieanddaisy · 11/10/2021 22:39

I wouldn't be embarrassed by having such a job . Sometimes one job can lead to another . When my 3 DCs were nearly 10 I got a job as a cleaner in a hospital. I cleaned clinics 6pm till 8 pm of an evening once my husband was home to see to the children , and once they were a bit older I also worked cleaning a ward in a morning which worked in with school hours . I did this for two years and then I applied for a job in the same hospital as a Health care assistant . Which I also did for two years. I then decided to train as a Registered Nurse for which I did an entrance test to be able to get on the necessary course .
It's not to late for you to get on a career path I bet that you are under 40 and the world is your lobster . Check out university's and colleges for entry into further education, it give you lots of advice . Good luck 🤞

ladygindiva · 11/10/2021 22:43

Nope. Never felt embarrassed about my job. I'm doing my dream job now but in the past Ive been a cleaner, chambermaid, waitress. Proud to be in employment and of my work ethic. I dated a guy who let slip he had issues with my being a cleaner so I dumped him immediately.

LovelyIssues · 11/10/2021 22:45

I absolutely wouldnt feel embarrassed about that job OP! And absolutely wouldn't look down my nose at you for having a very important job!

AveryGoodlay · 11/10/2021 22:54

I wouldn't be embarrassed by having such a job . Sometimes one job can lead to another But you've felt the need to justify the fact you were a cleaner with it leading to you becoming a nurse. So "don't be embarrassed about your job in case/as it might lead to a not embarrassing according to other people job".

ellyeth · 11/10/2021 23:45

Jenster03 Hurtful remarks about teachers should be ignored. Although, as in any job, there are people who are not especially suited to their occupation, I expect many people have fond memories of a particular teacher who helped them to achieve more than they, or anybody else, expected. I certainly do - Mrs Castle at Parklands School. She was kind and lovely. How many people can say their job has had that sort of impact on the lives of others.

All jobs have their value and I should imagine being a medical receptionist is very challenging and requires all sorts of skills - the ability to prioritise in a busy and fast moving work environment, to treat people with care and respect even when their behaviour is challenging, understanding the need for diplomacy and confidentiality, etc, etc. I didn't realise it was a low paid job - it shouldn't be.

I always felt rather embarrassed about my job - legal secretary. It was a bit of a dead end, with not much opportunity for progression. I expect, if I had enjoyed it, that wouldn't have mattered much, but I hated it.

Treesandsheepeverywhere · 11/10/2021 23:50

I think people feel embarrassed if they are not content or haven't reached what they feel is their highest potential. I used to be embarrassed about being a nanny but I love kids and also realised I was earning way more than some office jobs. I've worked in offices and enjoyed it too but not motivated to keep climbing the ladder.

Ihavelosttheplot · 12/10/2021 00:02

Op please do not feel embarrassed, embrace it. I'm a cleaner,I have an evening job that works around my OH and children so that we don't have to rely on others for childcare and that I can do the school run etc. I live in a affluent area and they are snobs. I also have clients where I clean their houses. I do this 3 days a week. I'm not ashamed whatsoever,in fact I wOrk hard for my earned wages. My OH has a full time job,I was a sahm for a good few years and even though I'm a cleaner,I have my own independence and also my own money.

PennineWayinSlingbacks · 12/10/2021 00:11

I've never been embarrassed about my jobs but I've really landed on my feet recently and have a lovely new job with a major UK charity. Its given me a major confidence boost and I'm afraid I talk about it all the time as I am so excited and proud to work for them!

StrongLegs · 12/10/2021 00:41

My only proper job is as a volunteer in a GP surgery and I often look at the receptionists in total awe. I think you must be pretty amazing. I totally couldn't handle dealing with the public all the time, and would almost certainly catch something nasty in the first week and not be seen for a month.

When I go into the surgery myself, nurses often say "Do you work?" and sometimes I just say "no" and look at my feet, and sometimes I say "I'm the chairperson the patient participation group here" and then feel a total nob bit of an idiot.

DogsandCatsB4u · 12/10/2021 01:11

I have gone from a PA, administrator, stripper, cleaner to a PA of a head teacher currently starting my own cleaning business

Please don’t ever feel ashamed

BunnytheFriendlyDragon · 12/10/2021 01:50

I don't think your mum friends would look down on you OP

Blancmangetout · 12/10/2021 02:45

I had to retire from my job due to illness. I'm only in my 30s and feel really embarrassed that I DON'T have a job. I'd be very proud if I were you.

me109f · 12/10/2021 03:20

'Snoods' says it all. You should be very proud of your life balance and you are not alone. Many Mums do what you do and just enjoy getting out of the house, dressing for work and doing something useful.
Job snobs are arses.
If you want to enhance your job, ask your boss if you can do additional duties such as computer back-ups or a bit of filing or secretarial. (Don't ask for more money, but if you do more and are effective you will be offered more pay eventually!) You can then genuinely improve your cv for the future.

speakout · 12/10/2021 06:33

Medical people are mean for some reason. My aunt works in the lab and they’re always rude.

Really? I have worked in several loboratories- usually easy going fun loving people- quite a bunch of mad cap people I would say.
I have found laboratories fairly hilarious places to work.
It's a behind the scenes work environment, so no one is wearing a public face , a lot of very qualified people doing at times repetitive work inventing fun and amusement to make the working day go with a swing.
I loved my time in laboratories.

speakout · 12/10/2021 06:35

I think it is one thing having a job you are pesonally proud of, but if you have people around you are no then that is hard to deal with.
My mother wonlt even tell my sister what I do!!

chipshopElvis · 12/10/2021 06:39

I'm an NHS administrator and I have a degree. But my job fits around the children, I enjoy it and I don't have to think about it after work. Status from a job is over rated, let it go and don't be embarrassed!

Blueink · 12/10/2021 06:56

YABU it’s an important role

chipstickz · 12/10/2021 07:53

I kind of know what you mean. I do a similar role and sometimes wish I had a more interesting and fulfilling job, something more vocational that would impress people more. But equally I don't want to work too hard while my kids are still young and want a job that fits around them! So I'd much rather have work/life balance than be stressed in a job just to have some status.