Stop Telling Me to “Get a Job”

A member kindly asks you to get off her case.

I’m 19 and I have never had a job.

At this point, I’d expect to get the same ‘side eyes’ received by a young wizard in Harry Potter uttering the name of “You Know Who” in public.

Despite this subject being taboo among many I know, I am here to be “that one person” who will speak controversially in spite of the risk I may be shot a dirty look or two.

“Get a job,” is a common phrase I hear. Well, let me tell you, my self-assigned personal advisors, I’ve been looking for a job for a very long time now.

I regret to inform you that I, unfortunately, do not possess your admirable ability to stack shelves or your remarkable talent at putting a lid on a take-away mocha or the enchanting way in which you say those sweet words, “How can I help you?” Really, I do envy you.

I believe in taking pride in whatever you do, but let’s all just admit that it doesn’t take great talent to be hired or asked to an interview for many of the types of part time jobs that adolescents apply for. It is simply a matter of luck and, as one gets older, it’s a matter of experience, which you hopefully received through your stroke of luck.

The next argument I may get is, “you should have gotten a job when you were younger so you wouldn’t be depending on your parents.” Ah, your concern for my parentals touches my heart, but in my case, they didn’t want me to have a job till I was 18 because they wanted me to focus on school in my younger days.

I’m sure in time I’ll show them my appreciation; now you can sleep at night.

Usually, at this point, I tell my interrogator that I tutor. “That’s not a real job,” they would say. Oh, okay, well I guess the hours of lesson-planning I take, the responsibility I feel for my students and their education, and the fact that I get paid for my services is invalid compared to scanning products under a machine. I legally provide a service and receive remuneration, so lay off.

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Photo: Comedy Central