The Secret Lives of Maccas Workers – How They Manage Life, Study and Work

Slingin’ burgers and kicking goals.

This article is presented in partnership with McDonald’s Queensland.

Work-life balance is so important – most of us will spend our whole life working in a number of different jobs and careers, and while that’s a major part of our lives, it’s not the only part.

Side-hustles and casual gigs make up a bulk of employment for students in Australia, and they’re a great way to balance studying, social lives, hobbies and working.

And what’s a more classic job than slinging burgers, fries and nugs at Maccas?

So, we sat down with Taleah Fisk, who’s a student at the University of Queensland and a restaurant manager at McDonald’s Newmarket, to talk about balancing work, life and study while working at Maccas.

At just 24 years old, Taleah was given the opportunity to manage the Newmarket store.

“I manage a team of 12, plus a crew base of 200,” she said. “I manage everything in regards to the store, whether we’re making good profitability, the people side of things as well as workplace health and safety, they’re all on me.”

She said every day keeps her guessing.

“Day-to-day is pretty different,” Taleah explained. “Sometimes you’re on the floor and some days I’m doing admin, like more behind the scenes.”

Having worked at Maccas since she was 14, Taleah has worked in a number of different stores in different roles, and says one of the best parts is the flexibility that allowed her to work and attend school, and later on at uni.

“McDonald’s allows me to be super flexible with work,” she said. “I’m able to work around study as well as playing sport and having a social life. It’s really easy to accommodate everything.”

But, she reckons the absolute best part is the people she’s been able to work with.

“I’m a really big people person, so I get to meet so many different people. Seeing those people develop is really rewarding.”

Taleah also said she loved some of the perks of working at Maccas, like getting discounts on food, employee benefits and extra discounts, as well as the ability to develop your career.

Not only did Taleah rise up through the ranks at McDonald’s, but as a marketing student, she was also given the opportunity to undertake an internship at McDonald’s head office, which gave her a huge leg-up on her studies.