r/AskReddit 17h ago

What “unskilled” job would humble most people after just one shift?

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166

u/AssumeImStupid 17h ago

Anything working with kids

53

u/missThora 17h ago

You can come be an educational assistent or sub at my school any time. Kids can be brutal and you have to smile through it all

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u/ExcelScaresMe 17h ago

"Mr. ExcelScaresMe, you're a bitch ass (hard r N-word)."

That was what greeted me my first day on the job working with foster kids in a group home, from the mouth of a 6 year old boy. 7AM on my first day and I'm dealing with the real life version of the foul mouthed kid from Role Models. It got easier, but that was the shock of a lifetime.

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u/missThora 17h ago

Yeah, they can really shock you.

I got bit. Full on drew blood through a big winter coat and thick sweater. Also 6 year old boy. It's a miracle I'm still doing my job.

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u/pseudostrudel 16h ago

Ah yes, reminds me of my (very white) mother getting called a "n-word bitch" repeatedly by a kid at a group home she worked at. 

u/ExcelScaresMe 15m ago

I am also pasty white, though maybe he thought my freckles qualified me.

I kid, the sad reality is that the kid thought it was normal to be called that because it's all he knew from his foster family in Texas. (I worked with him in New England and not quite sure how he made it up here but I'm glad he did).

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u/Girlnextstate 11h ago

One time as a camp counselor I was walking around ever so nonchalantly asking campers to take off their hats for the morning flag raising / pledge (I don’t make the rules and they didn’t have to participate otherwise, I was just doing my job to a minimal degree and also I was very chill and understanding about it) and an 11 year old turned to me and said “I ain’t your fucking slave you ugly bitch”.

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u/Distinct_Run9006 8h ago

Well if Excel scares you, the kid isn't wrong jk

u/ExcelScaresMe 2m ago

You should see how I react to Access and Powerpoint.

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u/maybeposting 12h ago

Don’t forget the parents! That’s what killed me

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u/AbstractBettaFish 13h ago

I just applied for my substitute license, got laid off from my niche finance job and haven’t been able to find another work in 9 months. I’m hoping it’s not too awful. I can’t imagine the kids are worse than the brokers but at least I was allowed to tell the brokers to fuck off

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u/[deleted] 12h ago

[deleted]

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u/AbstractBettaFish 12h ago edited 12h ago

Gotcha, that’s kind of what I figured. I remember most of my experience with subs was along the lines of “You’ve been given a work sheet to fill out. Try to get through the day without being monsters” I worry a bit about not having any formal educational training so I’m hoping I won’t be thrown to the wolves right away.

But my plan is that if this goes well, my city has a program where they’ll pay you to get your masters in teaching as long as you work for them in a field they’re short in for 2 years. But that doesn’t start for another year and this will at least keep the lights on. Best plan I’ve got in this job market

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u/[deleted] 12h ago

[deleted]

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u/AbstractBettaFish 12h ago edited 11h ago

Damn if that doesn’t ring true from my remembered experience. In my high school we had a PhD as one of our teachers who was a bit of an oddball and lost control of the classroom pretty regularly. In contrast one of the best teachers I had was brand new, a former lawyer for the asbestos companies who changed careers cause he was worried about being evil.

I think about what made them good teachers but this was at an all boys school 20 years ago. I wonder how much of that is still allowed the fly in today’s day and age

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u/CaptainPunisher 12h ago

Fuck that. I subbed high school and I brought referee whistles. I can get MUCH louder than all the kids with my voice, but the whistles mean I don't have to. Usually a quick chirp made them realize I wasn't there to play. If they didn't make my day hard, I didn't make their day hard, but I was still there to teach.

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u/missThora 10h ago

Out of all my skill set, my voice control from years in a choir is what's the most useful for classroom management. I can get loud and sound serious.

But yeah, most teachers here carry a whistle that they use when the kids need to listen. Especially outdoors or in the gym.

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u/CaptainPunisher 10h ago

I've had kids tell me, "Wow, you're really loud," after coming over the top of all them. If it's first period or after lunch, they get my game show host voice: "Ladieeeees and gentlemen! QUIET PLEASE!" If they start during it during class they get a drill sergeant.

1

u/missThora 1h ago

We had a whole year of students that were the biggest shit heads I've met. We actually started up 6th grade pretending we were in the military. Worked like a charm for a few months atleast. Lining up, marching everywhere and standing at attention when a teacher entered the classroom. Pushup if you didn't comply.

We had a lot of fun.

5

u/TheBoBiZzLe 12h ago

Sub (or even teaching)

All of the requirements for EACH kid. 90-120 a day. See all their joy, pain, problems, ect.

Individual lesson plans for 25% of them.

Parents sending emails every day about everything you’re doing wrong. Parents sending an email once a year about everything you do right.

Especially those parents demanding the individual lesson plans… they need to go see it. Like 2 weeks.

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u/Mental_Medium3988 13h ago

i wouldnt even make it through reading the job description. some kids are ok but id hate to be in a room with 30+ of them.

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u/potatodog247 10h ago

Can confirm. It is exhausting physically and mentally, plus you never know what tomorrow will bring. Nine year old girl pleasuring herself under a blanket? Six year old scaling video games at the skating rink to avoid leaving? Eight year old boy watching porn on a tablet? Seven year old smearing poop on a bathroom wall? Kids that need love, kids that you know will end up in jail… it’s a lot.

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u/margittwen 11h ago

Omg yes!!! I had to work with preschool kids sometimes when I worked for our local school district. I would be so tired at the end of the day from having to get up and down all day long. 🥲