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The old adage, “misery loves company” probably doesn’t ring with any more truth than when concerning matters of employment.
As Gen Y’rs get their start, and especially in this tough job market, we often are forced to take jobs that are less than optimal. Even if the job is related to your field and you know you’re merely paying your dues for a limited amount of time, it can be tedious, boring and just plain hard. It helps to know you’re not alone.
Of course you’re grateful you’ve got a job (you remind yourself frequently you could be one of the many desperately seeking any kind of employment). But, that doesn’t mean you aren’t miserable for the eight-plus hours you’re there each day. So, you might as well laugh about the absurdities you face daily. Sometimes you’re not just employed, you’re dumbemployed.
Check out the Dumbemployed Web site and be reminded that you are not alone. Chances are, you’ll discover your job isn’t as bad as you think. It could definitely be worse.
Some of my favorites found on the site:
“At work today, my boss actually tied a sweater around his shirt. Sure, it would always be pretentious, but maybe a little sophisticated. Except it wasn't a sweater. It was a Packers hoodie. Classy, boss. I'm dumbemployed.”
“At work today, we were required to identify everybody who purchased alcohol. Not young looking people. Everybody. Some new owner's rule. I had to ID three 60-year-old women. I'm dumbemployed.”
“At work today, a superior asked me for help with an email that he was having trouble sending. ‘It just won't send!’ he had complained. I took a look at it, and he was trying to send an email to, and I am not kidding, ‘www.gmail.com.’ I'm dumbemployed.”
“At work today, our manager decided to call a meeting at 8AM, and even people like me with a 3PM shift had to show up. The important meeting's subject? Apparently, we need to use pencil on our timecards instead of pen. The meeting lasted 5 minutes. I'm dumbemployed.”
“At work today, I was selling tickets for an upcoming show and this woman came up to me and asked, 'How much is the $12 ticket?' I replied nicely and said, '$12.' I'm dumbemployed.”
You might be miserable, but it sounds like you’re in good company.
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October 7, 2009 3:08 pm
The best part about 'Dumbemployed' is that people can relate. Life isn't always sunny and sometimes we forget to talk about the nitty gritty. The part of life that isn't positive can offer a lot of insight into ourselves, learning, perspective and growth. Not to mention, "Don't take life too seriously, you will never get out alive." :)
October 7, 2009 3:17 pm
I can totally relate. I used to look for the simplest jobs possible compared to the ratio of what I could get paid. Anything that required low brain power after my day job was good for me until I started freelancing.
"I used to work in a factory and was really happy because I could daydream all day"~Ian Curtis of Joy Division
October 7, 2009 3:56 pm
Sounds like a new round of McJobs!
October 8, 2009 12:12 am
@Grace No life isn't always sunshine, but you can always see manage to see through the clouds if you find ways to laugh. That's what I love most about Dumbemployed. Yeah, you're doing something you don't want to do, but if you can at least laugh about it...that helps!
@JR Such a good philosophy! I 'm experiencing that right now. I took a PT retail job this summer. And, yes, most of the time it's rather mind-numbing, but I've had some of my greatest ideas while there. So, it's definitely not all bad.
@KateNonymous McJobs for sure. And I can say that honestly. My first job was at McDonald's when I was 16...awful job. But, I am so so so patient at food establishments now. :)
October 10, 2009 8:20 am
dumemployedc.com, a hysterically funny (ironic?) website was sooo cool to read. made me feel i'm not the only cog in a wheel. thank you!
October 10, 2009 8:20 am
of course i can't spell ... dumbemployed.com (so much for spell checker)
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Grad School Zone
UVA (Darden) MBA Admissions Deadlines for 2010-2011
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The University of Virginia's Darden School of Business recently published its application deadlines for the coming admissions season. Here they are, followed by our comments in italics:
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