When it comes to accepting a job how important is dignity vs money?

[Locut0s]

I know the ATOT population is quite varied when it comes to the jobs you guys do. Of course this being a tech site a lot of you are in IT, but there are all kinds of jobs represented here. As you know I'm currently in retail sales, and have been for a while. It's not what I plan to do for the long run but I don't mind it for now. It certainly doesn't pay much right now, about 10 bucks /hr but for now I don't mind. Thing is if money were the only objective there are probably lots of other jobs I could get that might pay more. There are lots of "unskilled" or minimally skilled jobs out there that pay relatively well. Some that spring randomly to mind would be bus driver, garbage man, mail man, dock workers etc etc... And if you operate special heavy machinery like cranes, logging machines etc etc... you can make quite a lot of money! thing is you to have the right type of mentality to do these jobs. Some would consider them either beneath them or perhaps too physically demanding, or offer too little mental stimulus. Most probably would just find them boring. None of these really apply to me as a reason I'm doing retail. For me it's mostly because I'm used to retail now and would not fit in at all in the blue collar working world (I'd quickly have my ass handed to me lol).

So the question is how important is dignity and public perception for you when it comes to your job, vs the amount of money you make. If you could make say $5000 more per year than you do now being a garbage man (just a random example) would you be interested? Now of course many on here make more than any of these jobs would pay anyway but I know lots make less as well.

 

[moshquerade]

garbage man = waste technician

 

[lxskllr]

I don't care what kind of job it is, but I'd have to enjoy it. If it weren't for the smell, I'd totally do trash pickup. You get to be outside everyday, and see a lot of different areas. I bet that stink gets in your clothes though, and even washing doesn't get it out :^/

 

[BoT]

why would you consider these "bus driver, garbage man, mail man, dock workers etc" unskilled jobs?
they might not all that desirable but unskilled is questionable.

 

[Mermaidman]

In addition to dignity and money, there's the issue of self-perception or self-worth.

 

[iGas]

I went from a DBA/security software developer into the trades (plumbing/gas/HVAC) and IMHO there is not thing wrong with it. My ex mother in-law may think differently than I'm but it doesn't matter to me as my health/happiness is what important.

PS. My current job is physically demanding and is dirty/greasy, but the end of my nose isn't anywhere as brown as my old desk jobs. The best part of the work in the trades is that my work week is exactly 40 hours instead of the 50+ hours a week in IT.

 

[iGas]

In addition to dignity and money, there's the issue of self-perception or self-worth.

I have much more self worth now than I ever had in IT.

 

[Ksyder]

why would you consider these "bus driver, garbage man, mail man, dock workers etc" unskilled jobs?
they might not all that desirable but unskilled is questionable.

Skilled labor implies that some sort of education or vocational training is necessary prior to a job... all of the jobs in the quote can be trained on the job.

 

[Bignate603]

If the job needs to get done and supports your financial goals there's no shame in taking any job out there. Somebody's got to take away garbage or load up trucks and there's nothing wrong with someone choosing to do that if that gets them what they want.

 

[Ksyder]

I went from a DBA/security software developer into the trades (plumbing/gas/HVAC) and IMHO there is not thing wrong with it. My ex mother in-law may think differently than I'm but it doesn't matter to me as my health/happiness is what important.

PS. My current job is physically demanding and is dirty/greasy, but the end of my nose isn't anywhere as brown as my old desk jobs. The best part of the work in the trades is that my work week is exactly 40 hours instead of the 50+ hours a week in IT.

That's an interesting change of careers... do you mind sharing what caused you to make that switch? I can somewhat relate... having spent time in the construction biz and also working as a computer technician on the side.

 

[Hacp]

Screw dignity. Show me the money!

 

[Mr. Pedantic]

It depends on how much you find the job 'degrading', and how much you can afford dignity. If you're barely surviving, I'd dare say that $5000 in any form would look quite good.

 

[Wyndru]

We have a early 20's attractive woman working as a janitor (custodial technician) at the school I work at. She said she has a associates degree in liberal arts, but she likes being a janitor and it doesn't bother her that people see her cleaning up garbage at a high school.

It's refreshing to hear that and I wish I had her attitude, but I could not do that job regardless of the pay.

 

[Hacp]

We have a early 20's attractive woman working as a janitor (custodial technician) at the school I work at. She said she has a associates degree in liberal arts, but she likes being a janitor, and it doesn't bother her that people see her cleaning up garbage at a high school.

It's refreshing to hear that, and I wish I had her attitude, but I could not do that job, regardless of the pay.

Pics?

 

[iGas]

That's an interesting change of careers... do you mind sharing what caused you to make that switch? I can somewhat relate... having spent time in the construction biz as a bricklayer, landscaper, and outdoor equipment installer and also working as a computer technician on the side.

I worked as a landscaper/bobcat/backhoe operator and loved it during high school and the first couple of years during university. It not only the work hour was crazy in IT, and the stupid demands from the clients/upper management was unrealistic. therefore, I quit my IT job and got back into construction that let me feels like I actually accomplish something.

My first choice was electrical/instrumentation and maybe move beyond PLC programing in the oil & gas industry, but the school called me up first on my second option in the mechanical field.

I'm much more happier now than I was in IT, I'm mentally & physically stronger now, and my I'm in a much better position financially as well.

 

[Farang]

The premise of this thread is retarded. I was going to write a long explanation as to why, but I'll just say that I and the majority of people probably agree that retail sales people are the lowest rung of the occupational ladder and that there is no shame in blue collar work, especially blue collar work that pays well. To consider what other people think of your occupation, when deciding what work you want to pursue, is a huge mistake you will regret later when you find out those people you worried about aren't having to live with that decision every day.

 

[HappyPuppy]

I don't judge, nor do I look up or down at anyone who works for a living. Judging others because of their job is an inaccurate measure of their existence. Someone has to do every job that allows us to live as we do, the garbage collector, the retail clerk, the warehouse drone and the forklift driver. No one of us has a job that can't be filled by someone else, but all of us are are necessary to keep the wheels of society turning.

 

[BoT]

Skilled labor implies that some sort of education or vocational training is necessary prior to a job... all of the jobs in the quote can be trained on the job.

almost all of these jobs go well beyond the normal on the job training.
as a bus driver you first have to have class b drivers license and then class room training in everything related to the job which will take a week or two before you even set foot in a bus.
most garbage truck drivers besides a class c license often have to have a heavy machinery license
dock workers also have heavy machinery and a slew of safety classes

true, all of this does not amount to a college degree but there is skill involved. not everyone walking in off the street could do that. in fact many college graduates couldn't do that.

 

[OCGuy]

Well you need money to live. You dont need dignity to live.

If you are in a pinch, accept a job that sucks, work on getting a better one.

 

[HappyPuppy]

Well you need money to live. You dont need dignity to live.

If you are in a pinch, accept a job that sucks, work on getting a better one.

Why do you assume working at any job means you give up your dignity? Even if you don't like the job you are just as worthy as anyone else.

What makes you so special?

 

[OCGuy]

Why do you assume working at any job means you give up your dignity? Even if you don't like the job you are just as worthy as anyone else.

What makes you so special?

......

 

[StageLeft]

I don't much care at all about public perception but you are defining dignity incorrectly, at least as far as I consider it. Fixing cars or cutting wood is not undignified. Acting like and being treated like a bitch by your boss despite making good salary, that is undignified, and I wouldn't take it unless I was in a bad spot an had to make cash.

Do you really care what your neighbors think about your job? If you enjoy it, make good money, it has a future, etc. who cares whether it's cardiac surgery or cleaning sewer scum? Now, there are some lame ass jobs like cashier, those are really below human capability, but tricky or dangerous jobs that give a good bit of money are more meaningful.

 

[Turin39789]

The premise of this thread is retarded. I was going to write a long explanation as to why, but I'll just say that I and the majority of people probably agree that retail sales people are the lowest rung of the occupational ladder and that there is no shame in blue collar work, especially blue collar work that pays well. To consider what other people think of your occupation, when deciding what work you want to pursue, is a huge mistake you will regret later when you find out those people you worried about aren't having to live with that decision every day.

this

 

[shortylickens]

Dignity is not important. But misery sure is. I dont care how I look at a job but I damn sure care how I feel.
Hynix paid quite well but I worked a 12 hour night shift and the only thing I really learned there is I am not a night person. I could never sleep during the day and I was always miserable at work. And in turn I made my coworkers miserable. Was not a good experience. And eventually the money wasnt worth it. In retrospect that was a bad, bad decision. I shoulda gone back to college after I left the Navy.

So now I know better. I dont give a shit about my pride but I cant be unhappy and lead a successful career. It just doesnt work that way.

 

[Exterous]

Enjoying your job is the most important thing. I am sure there are people out there that look down on certain jobs but if you find a job you thats the most important thing