Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is my job looked down upon

149 replies

CoffeAndCakeAddict · 26/04/2022 16:09

I’m a receptionist in a veterinary surgery.

It’s stressful and money is rubbish but I love my job.

When people ask me where I work and I say the vets, they say ‘are you a vet?’
When I tell them I’m a receptionist I’ve had some funny responses.
do you want to be a nurse or vet?
only a receptionist?

it makes me feel a bit rubbish.

honest opinion please.
what do you think of this job? Is it a type of job that’s looked down upon?

OP posts:
Vallmo47 · 26/04/2022 16:11

I don’t look down on anyone.
Was a dream of mine once to be a receptionist.

Aprilx · 26/04/2022 16:11

No in a word. Seems like a lovely job to me.

Firelogbridge · 26/04/2022 16:11

I think highly of the receptionists in my vet practice. They're always friendly, helpful and a
do a good job of not making me feel like an idiot when my dog has ate chocolate (or a sock!). The more important question is do you like it? I think it would be lovely to see all those cute animals everyday.

EL8888 · 26/04/2022 16:12

My MIL was only saying the other day how lovely and helpful vets receptionists are (unlike the ones at GP’s!). Sadly one of her cats had to recently be PTS and the staff especially the receptionists were very sympathetic and supportive. So no, l don’t look down on it and lots of other people don’t lm sure

Coughee · 26/04/2022 16:13

I think only a complete arsehole would look down on someone for their job really. As long as your colleagues value your work I wouldn't worry what anyone else thinks.

Eggshelly · 26/04/2022 16:13

Who is saying this? Cheeky moos.

womaniswomaniswoman · 26/04/2022 16:14

Some people might, but those people are called arseholes so who cares?

I really enjoyed being a receptionist, and your job comes with ANIMALS.

It sounds pretty awesome actually.

ClumpingBambooIsALie · 26/04/2022 16:14

I wouldn't look down on it personally. I think it's probably not the first thing that pops to mind for people when they think of roles necessary for the smooth functioning of a vet's practice, even tho presumably there's a whole load of people like, I dunno, receptionists, cleaners, accountants, admin people, maintenance people, and so on, involved to a greater or lesser extent. I guess people are trying to recalibrate when you didn't say the thing that they expected, and end up coming out with something rude in their attempts to further the conversation. Or they're a bit snobby maybe, but then they'd probably be snobby if you were a receptionist somewhere else too.

Maydaysoonenough · 26/04/2022 16:16

I am a cleaner. Certainly wouldn't look down on you op! You have a great job! The receptionists at our vet's are great!

ChaosMoon · 26/04/2022 16:16

It sounds like the people you talking to aren't very nice. Or, best case scenario, have terrible conversational skills.

Babdoc · 26/04/2022 16:16

People who look down on you are not worth worrying about, OP. What matters is whether you enjoy your job and value yourself and your contribution.
Some people choose their job for the money or status, others have a vocation, others don’t really choose at all, but take what is available locally, and are more focused on other areas of life, such as family and hobbies.
As long as your job provides sufficient income to meet your bills, and you enjoy it, don’t waste another minute on fretting about the opinions of snobs!

Mrsjayy · 26/04/2022 16:16

I wouldn't dream of saying do you want to be a vet your job is your Job and any time I've had any dealing with Vet receptionist they have been lovely especially when it came to end of life of pets.

Dynamicsloth · 26/04/2022 16:17

I think highly of vet receptionists. The ones at my current vets are second to none. My DD is a vet. It’s a different role at the vet surgery. Anyone that can deal with demanding or very emotional clients deserves admiration.

MardyOldGoth · 26/04/2022 16:19

I don't look down on any job that isn't exploitative of others. I've been a receptionist (it wasn't for me) and it's a perfectly respectable job. You're doing something necessary, in a place that helps others and makes a difference, and you're paying your way in the world. What's to look down on?

TL;DR Judgy people can do one!

GreenClock · 26/04/2022 16:19

Clutching at straws but maybe they wonder why someone who obviously liked working around animals isn’t a trained vet nurse or vet.

I really hope no one is looking down on you because the receptionists at my dog’s vet are very efficient and personable, and I’d be really sad if they felt judged.

Dundonian · 26/04/2022 16:19

People who look down on others in this way aren't worth caring about.

You're fortunate enough to have a job that you love. Isn't that the most important thing.

SecretVictoria · 26/04/2022 16:19

Absolutely not. My DM did that job many years ago. She also used to help with the operations too (you could in those days). The receptionists at our vets are lovely and always make a fuss of DDog.

10HailMarys · 26/04/2022 16:20

Being a receptionist in any kind of business is a really important job! You're essentially responsible for any customer's first impression of the business, for a start - you're the one who sets the whole tone of their customer experience. And you also keep everything running smoothly with the appointments, help people get their pets seen in emergencies, offer advice, answer questions, deal with people who might be worried or upset, etc.

You've got an outward-facing job in a really interesting business, basically - I think it sounds great!

Fairislefandango · 26/04/2022 16:20

Sounds like a lovely job - it's great that you enjoy it. I'd rather be a vet's receptionist than a vet!

Mrsjayy · 26/04/2022 16:22

You wouldn't say to a receptionist in a Dr's oh do you want to be a nurse or GP do you ?

Ihatethenewlook · 26/04/2022 16:23

It’s not embarrassing at all. In future I’d respond with ‘I’m a receptionist in a vets’ to avoid confusion if you feel you’re getting looked down upon.

Helpel · 26/04/2022 16:23

Doubt people look down on you - its just their expectations. If you say 'I work at a vets' people will assume you are working directly with animals because most jobs 'at a vets' are actually vets or nurses. People don't think of other roles. When you then say you are a receptionist, it wasn't what they are expected because this is a more generic job. I'm sure if you responded 'I'm a receptionist at a Vets' people would be like 'ooh, nice job'.

elfycat · 26/04/2022 16:23

My vet practice has lovely receptionists. When you're stressed about the well being of a pet they are the first person to help - and I'm talking cats fatally injured but still alive levels of 'stressed'.

Whoever is looking down on receptionists anyway? People who look down on people for their jobs cant get-to-fuck at the best of times, but this is a good, and worthwhile career.

zingally · 26/04/2022 16:24

I wouldn't dream of looking down on someone for any job. Anyone who is willing and able to work, at any job, to feed and care for their family, gets my respect.

Jobseeker19 · 26/04/2022 16:25

Most people nowadays say Admin instead of receptionist. It sounds more professional too.