Dr. Fast Food?
One of my dreams since high school was to some day get a Ph.D. and then (for a short time) work at McDonald's or Target or deliver pizzas, or something like that. That dream may soon become reality. Well, it's at least possible now.
I'm in an interesting situation right now. Since May 31, I'm no longer on the NSF Fellowship. I'm planning to start a company but it will take time, probably several months at least. The business will require a lot of initial research and development, which I am doing now. But I don't want to work for a university because they will own partial intellectual property rights to whatever I develop while on their payroll. And I definitely can't work for a meteorology company (for similar reasons). So I pretty much can't work in meteorology this summer.
I'm sure I could do graphic or web design somewhere. But I've already done that. I've never worked in fast food or at a store, and I'll probably never get another opportunity to do so. So it's an option I'm considering. I don't know whether or not I'd tell them I have a Ph.D. What do you think?
I think I'd learn a lot from it and it would be a great experience. But I wouldn't want to take such a job away from somene who needs it more than I do. And I might be unqualified, as I've never had that kind of job before.
Any ideas?
posted by Matt @ 1:09 PM
10 Comments:
Work at Wal-Mart. It's the ultimate in retail experience, and you'd get to meet the widest variety of folks.
I personally have never worked in fast food or a retail store either, but I agree with your post. I think one would learn about helping others, which is never a bad thing.
I wouldn't tell them about your Ph.D. It would just seem a bit arrogant to me. Just my two cents.
If this is something you want to try.. then try it.. .They may consider you overqualified though.... :)
Hey Matt, maybe you could work at Fry's Electronics! (Oops, never mind, you know how turn on a computer! So, way way overqualified! LOL ) It never hurts to get more experience. Working at a place like that might give you a better insight of "Employer/Employee" interaction, which will come in handy when you start your own company. No matter what you do, I am sure you will excel at it! Keep up the good work!
I would definitely go for it! If you choose fast food though, make sure it's not a place you really like. I worked at a pizza place in high school, and after working there I couldn't eat their pizza for a long time...
I really think you should do that. Go for a job in fast food, retail, become a waiter and see how the other half live.
After my adventure on the high plains this week I think I want to work for a year as a cattle ranch hand in Wyoming. I had always wanted to go, and now I've been, and I plan to go back. It would be nice ot do some hard labour for a year and ride a horse around.
What do you think about THAT?
oh, marcian, that sounds so cool!
Matt, I don't see why you shouldn't apply somewhere. If they hire you, it's good experience. The worst I can think of happening is they say, "No."
If you want the technical side, by taking an unskilled job you would be taking a position that would otherwise be filled by a young male, the segment of the population with the highest unemployment rate. Young females have a slightly lower unemployment rate since unwed mothers often have very high productivity. But in reality, most of these unemployed teens get all of their essentials payed for by their parents whether they are employed or not. So only rarely are these jobs a matter of 'need' (although it does happen).
All things considered, I say go for it. This may be the last chance for you to have a job where they might fire you.
I think you should go for it! Personally, I believe that every person in the world should spend a little time in both retail and food service, just to see what it's like on the "other side".
Congrats on finishing your PhD, and best of luck in your future job, whatever you decide on!!
Ok, so this so-called "dream" of yours to get your PhD and work at McDonald's might just come to fruition? Hmmm, how convenient. I guess psychologically setting yourself up for failure would be the best for you seeing as how no doubt you will be an unemployable PhD. My god you are a fraud dear sir.
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