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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:
TrollsAreSaddos · 10/10/2021 09:58

They will always be some people who look down on others because of their jobs. You can’t change that. You can only change how you feel about the job. Do you look down on other people that have the same job? Are you embarrassed for them?

Lovemusic33 · 10/10/2021 09:59

I don’t have a job at the moment, I am my daughters carer and finding anything to fit around her is not easy. I would be happy with any job right now. I don’t think I would be embarrassed by any job though when I was younger I went from a professional job to a factory job, my boyfriend at the time ditched me because he was embarrassed about my job (his issue not mine).

SequinnedShawl · 10/10/2021 09:59

We’ve got one doctor that will not socialise with any of the receptionists as she has told us she only socialises with professionals. She says it’s because our levels of intelligence doesn’t match and she would bore us all!!

What a witch. She probably means she gets blind drunk every time she goes out and is an embarrassment.

KeyboardWorriers · 10/10/2021 09:59

I have a fairly senior professional job. I don't look down on anyone. I have worked in retail, I have worked as a receptionist, I have done cleaning.

I don't really give much thought to what my friends /school run mums do. I just chat to people because I enjoy their company.

I expect anyone that "looks down on" you (if they do) isn't in a senior position but wishes they were. Most people who are happy with their lives don't feel the need to belittle others.

Motnight · 10/10/2021 10:00

I spent a few years working in a factory, Op, and became used to being judged negatively for it.

Plus in the NHS there's a real culture of hierarchy.

You sound as though you are living a lovely life. Be proud of what you do and how you are helping your family.

Craftycorvid · 10/10/2021 10:02

I take my hat off to you, OP. Medical receptionists have to combine the skills of a diplomat, a counsellor, a nightclub bouncer and a strategist - would love to see any of the so-called ‘professionals’ in your team tackle that lot simultaneously - in heels (to mis-quote Ginger Rogers who once remarked that Fred Astaire had the easy bit out of the two of them). You are a professional and deserving of respect and a much higher pay grade.

Rosebel · 10/10/2021 10:04

I understand. I don't even like being with my family (siblings) as they all have better jobs than me. What really drives it home is they all ask each other about work but they never ask me.
My job is crap, home shopping, with rubbish wages and yes it kind of does fit in with the kids.
I'd like to do something different but not sure if it's because I'm not keen on the job or because I feel ashamed.
I don't know if anyone does look down on me or if it's just how I feel.

Snowdropsandbluebells · 10/10/2021 10:05

I think your job is excellent and I have been to uni four times.
If helps I am unhappy in my job and I am supposedly in a job everyone desires Hmm

Be proud of yourself. Flowers

RosesAndHellebores · 10/10/2021 10:05

It's absolutely nothing to be ashamed of, although some GP receptionists don't have a great deal to be proud of in how they do their job and speak to people. Interesting that you say nurses are ruder than Dr's as that's absolutely my lived experience.

Facebook Dr sounds as though she needs a filter. I bet her clinics are the ones with gaps. However, I don't have work colleagues on Facebook which I consider to be a private space rather than a professional space and hope I have explained that nicely but would never decline a request on LinkedIn from a colleague.

Whoopsmahoot · 10/10/2021 10:06

Don’t be embarrassed- I know people who are embarrassed to be bin men, hairdressers and cleaners. I work on the scenario if they don’t turn up for work a hell of a lot of people notice and are disappointed. If someone in management or an MP doesnt turn up - who notices? Hold your head up - I’ve had a lot of dealings with drs receptionists and hospital receptionists the last few years - they are stars in my eyes.
Helpful kind and supportive.

Wilkolampshade · 10/10/2021 10:07

@comedycook am in the same boat. If I'd known just how much progression would be affected I would have made some very very different decisions..

Zilla1 · 10/10/2021 10:07

I could see a comedy reply to "I don't socialise with my social inferiors nor connect with them on social media...."
"Yes, I knew someone who used that excuse too. Before she stopped socialising with work, she used to get blind drunk, spew racist vile, grope every young bloke then ask everyone if they had any 'blow'. She blocked everyone on social media too after her drunk-driving convictions"

Hiddenmnetter · 10/10/2021 10:07

When I joined the company I work at now I had grand visions of rising through the ranks and working in high pressure high reward jobs that lead to me being senior management.

10 years in, I have reached what I very much hope will be my job until I retire in 30 years time. I enjoy my work, it's hugely flexible, a lot of responsibility but pressure only comes in spikes. I spend more time with my children than anyone else I know my age, the pay is good because of the niche responsibility I have. I have changed my view of what I thought I wanted to what I actually wanted: maximum reward for minimum effort, flexibility and a job schedule that works for me. I could earn more- much more- by passing up the ranks and I think I probably have the ability to, but it comes with so much more responsibility and pressure and taking work home I'm just not interested.

Wroxie · 10/10/2021 10:08

I have worked in low-paid medical admin before (reception and filing) and now I am a fairly well-paid tech consultant and I know which job was more challenging and stressful. If you can do it "blindfolded" you must be genuinely clever and well-organised. It's great if someone "looks down on you" because then you know exactly what kind of person they are and can peacefully disregard them from that point forward.

Papertrain63 · 10/10/2021 10:10

@Lovemusic33

I don’t have a job at the moment, I am my daughters carer and finding anything to fit around her is not easy. I would be happy with any job right now. I don’t think I would be embarrassed by any job though when I was younger I went from a professional job to a factory job, my boyfriend at the time ditched me because he was embarrassed about my job (his issue not mine).
What sh*t person I hope you told him.
fishonabicycle · 10/10/2021 10:11

I worked all my working life in the city of London - earnt reasonable money, but changed jobs last year to the same job as you - I love it - I feel like I am actually helping - I'm lucky in that all the rest of the staff there are lovely, but it's an emotionally demanding job which needs a lot of skills. Don't be ashamed of what you do - you are an essential part of a very worthwhile team

VladmirsPoutine · 10/10/2021 10:12

I don't look down on anyone but there are times in the past I've been embarrassed by my job.

prettyteapotsplease · 10/10/2021 10:13

Retired now and had a variety of jobs but my last few were cleaning in various places - pub, factory and school. Did I feel embarrassed about it? Not really, but you can tell a lot about people by how they treat those who have a lowlier status. Some look down on you which says more about them than it did about me, others treated me as though I was actually a human being with a brain. A lot of that is also down to feelings of insecurity on their part which is understandable.

MintyGreenDream · 10/10/2021 10:14

Don't be embarrassed about being a medical receptionist! I was one for years and it's a high pressure,demanding, finicky job.Most people think it's just booking people in at desk all day but it's really not.

I'm a lunchtime supervisor now (dinner lady) and I'm not ashamed.Its not all women with blue rinses as per the cliche.We're a mixture of ages and really care about the kids we look after at lunchtime.

LetHimHaveIt · 10/10/2021 10:14

I've got a degree and an LLM in Medical Law. I've been on telly a handful of times being fairly clever. But I've spent much of the last twenty years working as a waitress. I've finally got a salaried job, and believe me when I say it is not a handsome one. But I keep my household together, as do you. Don't you dare feel embarrassed or ashamed because I'm not going to.

Allmyarseandpeggymartin · 10/10/2021 10:14

I’m the opposite way round, senior professional job and the people I meet outside of work are all “ooh get you with your fancy job” (live in a northern working class area) The school mums can be especially really judgy.

I guess what I’m saying is that everyone is judgy, so ignore em.

TertiusLydgate · 10/10/2021 10:15

I’m a professional and I would be lost without my admin team. They do a crucial support role.

Plus, I sometimes envy them. They can leave work behind every day and don’t have any work related stress.

gingerbiscuiteer · 10/10/2021 10:18

I think people put too much store by what you actually do and it's usually the first question getting to know someone... well, it doesn't define you. Especially in any sort of admin/PA/generic office role, which is what I do, so I just don't go into detail. I think being a medical receptionist is rather impressive and challenging, by the way!

PolicecarOnAToe · 10/10/2021 10:18

I feel similar. I am a ta in a school for children with SEN. I love my job. Genuinely enjoy going to work everyday. However, if someone asks me what I do, I always find myself saying “I’m just a teaching assistant”. I feel like people think that I haven’t tried hard enough/must be a bit stupid/lazy etc. I’m not sure why I think this really. None of my friends/family judge. Maybe it’s me being insecure rather than people actually judging, but I do always feel embarrassed.

saleorbouy · 10/10/2021 10:19

You're employed and happy in your work and it offers a good work/life balance.
That's probably more than most of the "high flyers" could say.
Measure yourself on your own happiness not what you think are others expectations.