[Masey]

I earned my B.S. Computer Networking with a 3.0. I love to work on computers as a hobby and I loved my internship helping a system admin for a year. I also have recently had an interview with a company that needs a guy who knows linux.

Graduating this summer was pretty tough since the economy had went to sh-t and my loans were about to kick in; so I took the first decent joe job I could find. I had been looking hard for computer and joe jobs for about 3-4months with no luck at all.

How I landed my current job washing dishes for a country club was through a critical mass ride where I met the chef's son who refereed me. I had met him only because I ride a tall bike; which I find weird since I scored 11 introvert and when you ride a tall bike everyone wants to talk to you and look at you (not really something that bugs me I'm JUST quiet NOT shy).

Everyday I go to work ask the chef if he needs help prepping food and if not then I sweep around areas that generally need it, clean up my dish washing area, and then wash dishes/goof around if I am not needed by the chef. The country club is not huge so I don't have to work awful hard. I eat good free food everyday and have not bought food for home in a long time (besides junk food). Generally everyone gets along for the most part and work is easy and pay is decent for what it is.

Why is it that I am satisfied with my job? I think it is because I have an awesome boss who is pretty cool with me asking for a day off here and there, he feeds me well, and he lets me chill at his house (well his son is my friend). I get a long with the people at work (only chill with a few though but will chill if invited by the others).

Currently I am a little stressed out because since I don't make mad cash like I would if I could land an IT job bills are payable but I have no extra money at all; so I am hoping that I land the job I talked about earlier.

My problem is I would be totally satisfied with my dish washing job if my loans were paid off. Its easy, low responsibility, nice boss, etc. Why did I go to college if I am happy washing dishes at this place? Even if I get this IT job I am keeping the dish washing job part time because it is a fun job too. I dunno when I go in there and the dishes are piled high it almost feels like playing TETRIS. I like to sort all my dishes before I start and then run them as fast as I can and when they come out of the machine stack them and organize them. When the other dishwasher is there he will run them through the machine and I will stack them and put them away, running all around the kitchen.

When I had the internship with the system admin for a year that was pretty fun too but just not as fun as this is... and I have no clue why well I guess I do. I don't have to deal with users directly and I just do my thing for the night and have a good time.

I really hope I do get this IT job though I just wanna know what it is like but at the same time I am kinda scared because I haven't dealt with computers in this kind of environment yet. The internship was in offices with users and this is a place that maintains databases and software that deals with medical records.

When I went in for my interview I had to take and exam with 30 networking and linux questions about protocols, commands, and what have you... I only missed 2 questions. Then I have two friends who work there and saw a 3rd guy I had classes with a long time ago and they all refereed me; so I am pretty sure I have the job... just waiting for the call (which has got me all anxious)

I know I have said a lot of things here but I guess what I am trying to ASK is are any of you guys or could you ever be satisfied with a job that is routine and you don't have to use your brain much? Well I guess I kinda turn work into a game so I have to use my brain by organizing stuff and finding the most efficient way to organize, wash, and put away all the things in the kitchen.

[Golradaer]

How long have you been working there? I filed papers and did data entry among other administrative tasks during an internship a couple of years ago; I enjoyed completing both tasks as efficiently as possible and developing new procedures. That said, after about a month of it, I couldn't stand doing it anymore.

[Ted]

I'm not sure how available part-time/contract IT jobs are but maybe you can do that along with dish-washing. Or do dish-washing in between jobs. Again, this is just a suggestion from speculation, I don't know the details of how IT jobs work (whether or not they can be part-time or contracted).

[MaleVolentworld]

I have washed dishes before, I had enough in the first 5 mins and quit after 2 weeks. A job that requires no thought kills me, and lots of jobs require no thought, at least when it comes to a point where you have learnt all the tasks and automatized them. I never get enjoyment out of speaking to colleagues, whereas some may not like the work but enjoy going to work only to socialise.

[ElstonGunn]

Just as a side note, have you ever read Dishwasher by Pete Jordan? He stumbled into the same situation, more or less.

Anyways, you've got a low-stress job, in terms of both the work itself as well as the environment/co-workers around you. You know what to expect from it, and there probably aren't many problems that come up where you really have no idea what to do in response. And you have enough money to cover your expenses. That sounds like a situation that most people would enjoy. Then again, washing dishes isn't a particularly prestigious job, and a lot of people seem to end up tying a lot of their self-worth to their jobs.

(By the way, I only lasted two days as a dishwasher when I tried it, so hats off to you for being able to tolerate-- and even enjoy-- it.)

[Night Runner]

A good dishwasher is worth his (or her!) weight in gold. Or at least in aluminum.
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
I worked in restaurants in the past, and the - how shall I put it - lack of allure and prestige associated with this particular job results in lazy people with no work ethic applying for the position. It's an ironic catch-22 when you think of it - without a dishwasher on duty, the entire restaurant can come to a screeching halt - and fast...

I too entertained that idea... I see nothing wrong in having an unpopular job (currently considering washing dishes, working at a movie theater, and being a campaign canvasser) - especially if it's the kind where you don't have to interact with people or participate in office politics. Dishwashing is also great because (as the OP pointed out) it can be like a game of Tetris - a challenge that can make your shift feel a lot shorter. We all know how time can drag on and on at a slow job.
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

[Silverity]

I enjoy low-thought jobs because it frees my mind to wander in whatever direction I want it to. I had a filing job for 2 years, oh such bliss! I spent hours composing, figuring our my homework ahead of time, pondering about my future education and what my options were, etc, etc, all while my hands were dutifully making sure my job was getting done quickly and efficiently.

[CWC]

How long did you say you held this dish-washing job?!
I'm only 3 weeks into helping out at my uncle's company;data logging and administrative duties,and I'm on the verge of being zombified!

[Masey]

	Originally Posted by ElstonGunn To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	(By the way, I only lasted two days as a dishwasher when I tried it, so hats off to you for being able to tolerate-- and even enjoy-- it.)

^ My job is low stress mainly because it is a small country club and my job is just that easy here.

	Originally Posted by MaleVolentworld To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	I have washed dishes before, I had enough in the first 5 mins and quit after 2 weeks.

^Where did you wash dishes at? If I would not even consider washing dishes at a food chain.

Originally Posted by Night Runner To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

A good dishwasher is worth his (or her!) weight in gold. Or at least in aluminum. To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. I worked in restaurants in the past, and the - how shall I put it - lack of allure and prestige associated with this particular job results in lazy people with no work ethic applying for the position. It's an ironic catch-22 when you think of it - without a dishwasher on duty, the entire restaurant can come to a screeching halt - and fast... I too entertained that idea... I see nothing wrong in having an unpopular job (currently considering washing dishes, working at a movie theater, and being a campaign canvasser) - especially if it's the kind where you don't have to interact with people or participate in office politics.

^ Haha, last night I am pretty sure I proved how much I was worth. There is a leak underneath my machine and I have told the maintenance man numerous times to fix it and other things wrong with my area. He hasn't fixed anything yet; he is the fix it when it doesn't work at all kinda guy. So last night I made a gutter out of tinfoil, put toils under it to make a hill, and lead it to the drain in my area so the whole kitchen wouldn't flood out again.

^ Yeah I dunno why people look at it as a bad job to have. Where I work us scrubs have more brains then anyone else there. And sweat our nuts off and whoop our asses cleaning the dishes as they always somehow come back at the same moment no matter what part of the night; this is the only thing that bugs me about the job and because of that the chef always makes sure we are well fed and treated.

^ My boss was born and raised in Malaysia and he started off in the USA as a dishwasher so I think he understands the sh-t we go through. He will fire you right away if he thinks/notices your or lazy but if he likes you he will bi-ch you out and tell you to go faster. I'm not a smoker but the other dishwashers are so when the waves of dishes come they knock them out as fast as possible and then head out back to smoke.

^ The only time I chose to interact with people at work is when I am prepping food with chef and usually two - three other guys. They have some pretty cool stories about life and stuff and I have some pretty crazy stories too. I'm NOT shy JUST quiet. Being around/hearing people doesn't bug me... only when it is about gossip or sports.

Sorry I am typing an awful lot, I am just trying to get a better understanding. Typing a lot is a form of therapy for me.

	Originally Posted by Silverity To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	I enjoy low-thought jobs because it frees my mind to wander in whatever direction I want it to.

^ Yeah this is the nice part about the job too I get to day dream all day.

	Originally Posted by CWC To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	How long did you say you held this dish-washing job?! I'm only 3 weeks into helping out at my uncle's company;data logging and administrative duties,and I'm on the verge of being zombified!

^ I have been working here for 4 months.



A Job is A Job -> It keeps you where you don't want to be and pays you for it. A Job pays your bills, keeps a roof over your head, and helps you sustain. If you have found that Job that has little stress and does all that; does it really matter what you do, even if you are qualified for better?

I have all the freetime in the world. My life outside of work is great... WHEN I CLOCK OUT, I DON'T HAVE TO THINK ABOUT MY JOB.

[Polymath]

	Originally Posted by Masey To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	I have all the freetime in the world. My life outside of work is great... WHEN I CLOCK OUT, I DON'T HAVE TO THINK ABOUT MY JOB.

That's awesome. The thing I hate the most about college is that I can never come home and completely stop caring about it until the next time I go to class, even if my homework's done, because there's always some part of my brain telling me I should be studying and that I'm being a slacker for not doing so. It's horrible. Cruel and unusual punishment if there ever was such a thing.

[Masey]

	Originally Posted by Polymath To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	That's awesome. The thing I hate the most about college is that I can never come home and completely stop caring about it until the next time I go to class, even if my homework's done, because there's always some part of my brain telling me I should be studying and that I'm being a slacker for not doing so. It's horrible. Cruel and unusual punishment if there ever was such a thing.

Before I got my B.S. I was only planning on getting my A.S. I still did my homework and studied last minute but I was always hanging out with my select group of friends playing Magic the Gathering and playing video games... just goofing off enjoying what I didn't grow up with (I was home schooled). I goofed around a lot but still finished my A.S. with a 3.7... Then my Profs and mentors said I should try and get my B.S. so I did at this time I had a girlfriend that stuck around for 3 years. I was a bit more distracted with her than when I was hanging out with the guys at school and my grades started to drop. We split up once I had 2 semesters left and luckly I had enough time to drag my poor gpa back up to a normal 3.0.

I dunno if it is the INTJ mentality or what but just because you have responsibilities doesn't mean you can't enjoy life... you only have one and you are only in your prime once so don't pass it up. Still aim for perfection but don't let good times pass you by.

I was pretty much raised and hung out with older men and my grandpa has and will always be my best friend. All these guys have helped give me a different outlook on life when I am feeling like I am not so normal.

I'm starting to regret college. Mainly because I feel like I am going to be paying for it for so long before I can SAVE MONEY to have adventures. Once I land an IT job I hope I can pay it off in 2-3 years. Once college is paid for I want to travel to different countries and find out which one I want to change citizenship over to. That is pretty much my life goal to find a place that I want to live.

[doublejava]

	Originally Posted by Masey To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Once college is paid for I want to travel to different countries and find out which one I want to change citizenship over to. That is pretty much my life goal to find a place that I want to live.

Canada's pretty great
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


Mindless jobs are okay but once you get a taste of a higher salary, you may never go back so enjoy it now!

[alrightgame]

I'm glad you joined the forum (Mason was my friend back in Indiana and we still keep in touch). I am also currently volunteering in the circulation department at the Library and I very much wish I could do this 40 hours a week and get paid 10 bucks an hour to do it. You get access to ideas when you are looking at all the books people are reading. Hell, one person checked out a book that had to do with Math in Nature, and that made me turn a 180, but I have yet to have the time to read the book. The environment is also pleasant, quiet, always something to organize without getting exhausted, a lot of calm coworkers, and of course the books themselves (I've always been a slow reader though so getting through one book can be infuriating). I would be content with a job like this.

[lurk]

Take your time and enjoy yourself. My son spent the 10 years after getting his BS answering phones and doing transcription in a law office for $10/hr and DJ'ing nites. He eventually tired of it, entered grad school and now has a wonderful career. You need to go with what works for you and not rush yourself. You're young and you have along way to go.

[Nite Fise]

Just remember, all the things you like about your easy job now will go away. Only thing that is constant is change. You will eventually want to look back on your life and want to feel like you did something with it.

[stevejice]

I have many things going on at the same time, so a low-thought job helps. When I go to a new job, I think back to why I even stayed so long at the previous place. A job that challenges the mind is only worth it if I like the work, otherwise it is not worth the extra cash. If IT is what you love, then immerse yourself.

[Axion004]

	Originally Posted by lurk To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Take your time and enjoy yourself. My son spent the 10 years after getting his BS answering phones and doing transcription in a law office for $10/hr and DJ'ing nites. He eventually tired of it, entered grad school and now has a wonderful career. You need to go with what works for you and not rush yourself. You're young and you have along way to go.

This may work for some but definitely not for me. If I worked for $10/hr for the next 10 years of my life I would be miserable and depressed.

I don't think there is anything wrong with wanting to move up the food chain early in life. Travel would be the only way for me to enjoy the time.

[Skank]

The bottom line is your needs are being met.

When my INTJ needs aren't being met I'm miserable if not suicidal.

[lurk]

	Originally Posted by Axion004 To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	This may work for some but definitely not for me. If I worked for $10/hr for the next 10 years of my life I would be miserable and depressed. I don't think there is anything wrong with wanting to move up the food chain early in life. Travel would be the only way for me to enjoy the time.

Didn't mean to suggest anything other than one can choose to veg a while without their whole life going up in smoke. I know my son hated the time he spent working in the law office, but he wound up learning lots of things about dealing with people that helped him excel when he decided to move on.

[Fox]

Dead End Jobs aren't that bad if you enjoy it. I have a dead end job and I sure don't enjoy it. It isn't what I planned to do, I don't like the work and it won't help me professionally in anyway. If I could change just a couple things about it (not counting the salary) it would be a good job. Still a dead end job but I wouldn't mind being at it so much.

[Necrosis]

I need mental stimulation. I work in a stocking warehouse in high school and i dont know how i managed to stay there for 8 months. I wanted to slit my wrist everyday. Now i'm programming and it's the environment where you do as you please. No pressure. Very introverted. I love it.

[MaleVolentworld]

I washed dishes on a kibbutz. They had a huge restaurant with coach loads of people some days. It was a fish restaurant so I'd often have to throw fish heads in the bin.

Coupled with the fact that I'm not Israeli and don't speak hebrew, being the only English in the kitchen, very loud, very smelly, very wet kitchen with no one to talk to and just THROW millions of dishes onto the conveyorbelt at 100mph for hours on end. It was very hard work.