To think I shouldn't be sneered at for working at McDonald's?

[Dinkleberg]

Regular poster but NC for this. I have a degree. I did have a full time job related to my degree but unfortunately was made redundant whilst on mat leave in October last year (and wasn't entitled to redundancy pay as I'd been there less than 2 years). So when my mat pay ended last month I needed to find a job fairly swiftly! Unfortunately I couldn't find a job related to my degree and bills were piling up, so I applied for anything I could find, and McDonald's came up.

I got the job and am really enjoying it, its it's a 10 minute walk away, the hours fit in perfectly around my children and DHs hours (I do evenings and weekends) and of course it helps pay the bills and put food on the table! I'm starting my Masters in October and again the flexibility the job offers is good.

But recently I had a catch up/conversation with a friend who I hadn't seen for a few months. We talked about what we were doing now etc and when I mentioned I was working at McDonald's she seemed baffled and embarrassed for me? Said "But you have a degree so why are you working there?". When I said it was to pay the bills until I could complete my Masters, and that the hours were perfect for me in terms of childcare ect she was like "But surely anything is better than bloody McDonald's?"

Is working at McDonald's really something to be embarrassed about?? A job is a job surely? And said friend eats at McDonald's so surely she realises someone has to prepare and serve her food? I should say a lot of my colleagues are students.

I left the conversation feeling quite deflated 😞 I know I shouldn't care what others think but I do! Sometimes too much.

YANBU - she's being horrible and you shouldn't be sneered at
YABU - she has a point

Well done on Finding work quickly that fits with your childcare needs and pays the bills. Your friend is a snob. No I don't think "anything is better than McDonald's"

There's a hell of a lot of snobbery related to jobs when there really shouldn't be. McDonalds have fantastic management progression opportunities and support care leavers/students really well

Your "friend" isn't.

McDonald’s as you know is actually an excellent employer. & it’s a job that works for you

only you know if your friend is they type to make a dick comment to put you down or not

Your friend is horrible!

Nothing wrong with working at McDonald's at all! A job is a job. Your 'friend' is a bitch

Ask your 'friend' if she can find you a job that suits you as well as this one!

Sh is an ass.

My dad used to say "to work is honourable," regardless of the occupation.

Well done to you.

Your friend is being ridiculous. You sound like you are doing the right thing. I would do the same in your position.

There is nothing wrong with honest paid work, which McDonalds is. I bet it’s fast paced and keeps you busy, not quiet enough to get bored. I have worked in those sorts of roles and really enjoyed it.

I completely agree with the other posters. My sister used to work in McDonald's whilst training to be a counsellor. She absolutely loved it. The job is flexible, fits around your hours and you enjoy it. Your friend is being unreasonable and disrespectful

I think that working at McDonalds is viewed by some (ignorant) people in a similar vein to 'shelf stackers' at a supermarket IE a job anyone could do. As a pp said, one of those jobs that is looked down on. The people with these views would probably not even last 5 minutes at it. It works for you and shows you have a good work ethic - I'm not an employer but if I were I certainly wouldn't think less of you for working there. Hold your head high, you sound like a much better character than your judgemental 'friend'.

People can be wankers, ignore your 'friend'

Good for you OP, your 'friend' is an utter nob.

She’s a snobby cow. You do what you can do to put food on the table.

Even if you planned to stay at McDonald’s full time, it is nothing to be ashamed of.

She’s a CF.

I love your mindset. A job is a job lovely :)

10 minute walk away, shifts that suit you? Sounds absolutely fine to me, take no notice - some people always need to feel superior.

I've just started working at McDonalds after leaving my teaching job last summer. Like you, the hours completely work around my husband and kids, and I can take time off for anything I like, the flexibility is amazing. A job is a job, and if it's working for you then that's all that matters. I've realised I'm happier here for the time being than I ever was being a teacher.

I worked at McDonald's around 10 years ago for a few weeks.
Absolutely nothing wrong with it, I was just lucky to be offered a job in my field.
Hold your head high OP, you are putting your family 1st. Oh and good luck with the Masters

It's a job, it brings money in and you enjoy it. Ignore your friend. McD used to have a good internal employee development programme, I don't know if it still does, so this job could also turn into a great stepping stone.

She is being a twat. I think good for you. You are juggling a pt job, children and a degree and should be very proud.

She's a knob and a job is a job. I've got a degree and I'm a cleaner.

McDonald’s training programme is widely recognised as the best in the industry. Their salaried managers are regularly poached by other big companies because they’re so well regarded.

You’ll also find that business managers are paid more than junior doctors.

It’s a great place to work and nothing to be sneered at at all.

You are to be admired OP, nothing less.

You properly earn more than if you did a conventional 9-5 and paid for nursery. Lots of opportunity for advancement there, good on you.