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?

@VladmirsPoutine you clearly don't live in Sarf London where "innit blad" has been used by every comp educated young person for at least the last 15 to 20 years.

Believe me, I am charm itself in NHS hospitals and the best and most amazing care I ever received was from a Senagalese midwife called Hawa, in stark contrast to the care received from Elizabeth and Helen three years previously in SW10!

@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 feel embarrassed to say my professional job as I often have people say its really good and it makes me feel awkward. I usually give a more generic answer related to the job. I would never judge someone on their job by the way. If you're a lovely person that means more to me.

I work in hospitality...i dread people asking me what i do for a living....

You need to learn what I learned a long time ago and that’s that it is none of your business what other people think of you. Don’t even consider it, it’s not important.

I thought you was going to say you were embarrassed about the fact you was a doctor's receptionist because most people don't like them!!

Those who mind don't matter and those who don't mind are the ones who matter. Stick with the people who don't mind and ditch the others!

@DressBitch

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!

Same! I admire anybody who works in a public facing role; it requires a huge amount of patience. Our school receptionist is an ex-NHS receptionist and she is awesome.

One of my good friends is an accountant, an excellent one at that and gets paid a bucket, gorgeous new house and paid off car… she is a deeply unhappy person with all sorts of issues.

I know other people who are in much lower paid, ‘unskilled’ work who live much more modest lives, who are honestly some the happiest people I’ve ever met

I feel the same sometimes to be honest and am fairly new working just the counter in a pharmacy. I will be starting a dispensing NVQ soon and really excited to start working my way up, but this past year I’ve felt kind of bottom of the chain and not important, and some pharmacists have made me feel that way and literally don’t let me help with anything that doesn’t involve the shop. It’s a stressful job either way with some unsightly characters, which I can imagine you get sometimes too!? but very interesting and I really want to pay my dues and see where it takes me. It’s again minimum wage and part time to work around school etc, but we manage to get buy, don’t own our own house or manage a yearly holiday or anything, so id say you are doing well op! Don’t let other people make you feel like you’re not doing an important job, you are and it fits in with your life, so stuff what others may think and carry on looking forward to going to work and living a happy life 😘

OP I'm a receptionist at a community hospital, so know how you feel.
On paper I'm a Clerical Administrator... which sounds rather posh ... so I like using that word instead of "medical receptionist"

How would the practice operate without you? How would the doctor manage making appointments if you weren’t there? 12 people at 9am and 9 people at 4:45? Right - that’s what I thought.
You’re a valuable member of your team.

Nobody can make you feel bad about yourself without your help. Take pride in yourself. There’s always going to be someone richer, prettier, more educated, more successful and better off than you. Always.

Be at peace with your own accomplishments, because I guarantee you, that woman who’s more educated than you? She’s intimidated by somebody else. ❤️

I am a teacher and feel embarrassed about my job quite a bit. Especially my pay compared to my professional friends - doctor, lawyer etc. And when they go on holiday or get an extension. We are just wondering how on earth we could ever cobble together that much money.

When I started out in the beauty industry people thought I must be a bit thick. Now I run a multi million pound company they are intrigued but only when they know my title. Otherwise they think I work in Boots. Nowt wrong with Boots but seen as unskilled

You are doing a very important job for your community. Doctors surgeries would not be able to care for their patients without the organisation and dedication of the administration staff.

Althought I don't need to work, I do have a very small hobby business. Either I'm told I'm ridiculous for working when I don't need to or I'm told it's a waste of time. Compared to my friends who get promotions and pay rises and great new jobs, I feel like a kid with a lemonade stand sometimes.

This is the problem with society. Our whole self worth seems to be valued by what we do for a job. Wearing ourselves down for a living seems to be done with pride now like that’s what makes us worthwhile. Are you a good person? Are you a good mum? Do you enjoy your life? If sod what society thinks and keep doing you!

There is no shame in your job. You are working, paying your way and contributing to society. Feel pride in what you do.

I’m a scientist (in pharma). It’s a highly qualified career job. Everyone hates us these days in the post-expert era!

@Snoods

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

This!

I think medical receptionists do a bloody hard and underpaid job. I also think those who look down on others due to their jobs aren't the kind of people I'd want to be friends with.

I'm a doctor. One of my best "mum friends" who I met on mat leave is a medical receptionist. We had way more to talk about together than the other mums!

What would you like to Do?
Start there.

I'm a journalist and have never felt embarrassed about my trade. Or calling, as I prefer to say.

Medical receptionists are the gatekeepers to services and hold so much power. Own it, don't take on other people's beliefs.

Why would you feel ashamed of your job? If the past 2 years has taught us anything, it's that all of these underappreciated jobs have an immense value in our society.

Cleaners have ensured greater levels of safety, carers have been the only company the elderly had when families couldn't visit. Shop workers have been some of the few who have worked more instead of less in the pandemic.

The receptionists in our GP surgery have been more helpful than ever, they've supported myself and my family in accessing health services that we didn't know how to access without our GPs help.

Just last week, I had a situation that left me unsure about what to do. I called them in a panic, I said I don't know what to do! I don't know if I can leave this or if I need medical assistance. They tried to get me an appointment- which wasn't possible. They told me to call 111 and to stress my most worrying symptom and I would get an appointment at the urgent treatment centre. My point is, you doing your job and being you can help people immeasurably.

I can appreciate that some jobs seem really exciting and maybe a little more rewarding, but your job is important and you can really change some people's days and situations. Please try to remember that

I have a post grad qualification and cannot get work. It sounds a great job. Rock it.