I am a professional. I make $56,000 a year at my full-time job. I put on a suit, do my hair and go off to my pretty well-respected career in a highly trained skill.
In order to get out of debt (at this point we're trying to even just get current on bills. We've had a LOT of bad luck lately) I needed a part-time job so that we even had a chance of surviving. My husband can't work because of health issues, and he doesn't get any assistance, so it's all on me.
I looked for other part-time jobs. I put in a lot of applications. Everyone said I was overqualified. Then I figured "geeze, why I don't I work in fast food?" I put in application in at BK, much like I did 10 years ago when I was sixteen. Being that I was willing to work crummy hours, they hired me.
So yes, I work at Burger King. It's a block from my house so I don't have to drive. I work 40 hours a week at my full-time job and I work 20 hours at BK. I also am fostering a mama dog and her litter of six puppies that were dumped at the side of the road somewhere (those costs are paid by the rescue, they cost us nothing but time... the puppy kisses and the look in the mama dog's eyes saying 'thanks for saving us' is worth everything.) I also take care of the house when the husband is having one of his episodes, which is frequent. All that medical care adds up fast.
Sometimes people come into Burger King that I know, whether it be through work, family, friends. They act embarrassed for me, as if I somehow should be ashamed that I'm wiping down tables and mopping floors and saying "would you like fries with that?" for measly pay. Funny, I'm more ashamed that we can't pay the bills.
I work at Burger King.
October 29th, 2008 at 11:46 pm
October 29th, 2008 at 11:51 pm 1225324299
October 29th, 2008 at 11:59 pm 1225324794
October 30th, 2008 at 12:27 am 1225326464
My husband has looked for PT jobs/seasonal jobs in the past and REALLY hit a brick wall. The kinds of jobs we scooped up as college kids are suddenly slammed doors in the faces for college grads.
I told my spouse I'd take the degree off the resume next round. Honestly. (Though we weren't sure if it was that or his lack of working for about 5 years - both seemed to work against him). So I Was just curious. My dh actually has a lot of experience in the area of fast food. I'll have to keep that one in mind.
Last round he got so disillusioned by the responses from retail that I don't think he applied for any fast food jobs. Just figuring it would be the same.
If you don't want to answer publicly - e-mail me back. Curious if you also told them you had another job? (BIG no no for retail. so maybe fast food is another animal).
October 30th, 2008 at 12:41 am 1225327310
Truth be told, it's actually a little fun : ) Reminds me of working there when I was 16, LOL.
October 30th, 2008 at 12:54 am 1225328087
October 30th, 2008 at 01:16 am 1225329383
October 30th, 2008 at 01:58 am 1225331929
Good for you! Pay the bills! And hurray for the dogs!
October 30th, 2008 at 02:24 am 1225333467
October 30th, 2008 at 02:51 am 1225335062
I think it is a very sad commentary on society today when a person is willing to work a 2nd job in order to pay bills and is looked upon with pity and/or embarassment. Yet people who don't / won't work a 2nd job and fall on the mercy of the federal government aren't necessairly looked upon in the same fashion.
October 30th, 2008 at 03:43 am 1225338221
October 30th, 2008 at 04:34 am 1225341275
I am currently considering a part time job, but I just honestly don't want to. The fact that you are out taking care of your family is all that matters in my book, honestly.
October 30th, 2008 at 12:34 pm 1225370091
This is exactly what I think. I mean, I feel like people should be saying "good for you!" instead of acting like they don't recognize me. : /
The people most put off by it seem to be my family, I hate to say. I know my dad has old-fashioned values and believes that it should be my husband taking care of me. Well yeah, when we both were working it was easy for us to take care of each other. People don't always think maybe at such a young age (28) that one of them won't be able to work and it might all fall on someone else's shoulders. I had to tell them that it wasn't a matter of CHOICE, that I NEEDED this.
And I always was taught that any job worth doing is worth doing well. I put the same work ethic into those 20 hours as I do into those 40 hours.
(and if anybody is wondering why I have an internet connection, our very nice and awesome guy who lives in the other half gave us his wireless internet connection password so we can use it all the time and we made a deal that he would get to park in the driveway. It's worth the sacrifice of me parking in the street, LOL)
Thanks for the comments everyone. : )
October 30th, 2008 at 01:04 pm 1225371862
October 30th, 2008 at 02:16 pm 1225376213
October 30th, 2008 at 02:30 pm 1225377010
October 30th, 2008 at 04:51 pm 1225385519
October 30th, 2008 at 07:29 pm 1225394981
October 31st, 2008 at 12:44 am 1225413864
With so much happening in your life you're facing life like a tough soldier. Remember, what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. One day you'll look back and tell your kids or grandkids your story and I guarantee that they'll be as proud of you as we are.
February 8th, 2009 at 11:52 pm 1234137175
As far as working a 2nd job at Burger King way to go. I was almost in this cituation myself. Still thinking about getting a part time job.
I hope that your husband gets back on his feet and all goes well maybe he could try to get a job on the internet if that is possible to just help out. Do not be ashamed the people that feel ashamed for you are only ashamed of themselves for not thinking to take on an extra job to survive.