My experience may not be typical, but here it is anyway. I took a break from college at about age 21 to contemplate my future. This, as it turned out, required beer money, so I took a part time job at McDonald's. It lasted for exactly 7.5 hours and from my perspective was a valuable experience. Things went fine for most of the day. Lunch was good. I learned how to work both a ketchup and a mustard dispenser, the high-tech kind that shoots 4 burgers at once. My co-workers seemed nice. Then I was assigned the task of cleaning the basement. At first this wasn't a bad chore, mainly since I was all alone for the duration. That is until the manager left, leaving his assistant in charge. The first I knew of this boss transfer came while I was diligently mopping the stairs and a voice from above started yelling instructions my way as to proper mopping techniques. The new boss was about 18 (maybe) with a crew cut, a nasty case of acne and, apparently, a bit of a swelled head from the power trip that being an assistant manager in the fast food industry brings. My fast food career lasted for approximately 2 minutes longer while I explained in vivid and intricate detail exactly what my instructor could do with not only the mop but also the bucket and its sudsy contents. All in all it was a most excellent motivating factor toward continuing my education and, even though I never went back for my check, I do not feel cheated at all. In fact I have been grateful for 28 years now.

Good luck and good jobs.

Learn more about this author, Farmer Bob.
Click here to send author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about Experience with McDonalds?
We want to hear your view. Write now!