Reel Big Fish? What?
Let me explain. Since I graduated from high school the only jobs that I ever had were working in fast food which has since become known as the Quick Service Industry to get away from the negative connotations associated with the unhealthy fast food. Whether it was Quick Service or Fast Food, I still kept the line from the song Sellout by the band Reel Big Fish: “now you know you can‘t work in fast food all your life” at forefront of my mind everyday I went to work.

I started my ‘McCareer’ at the age of 18 when my mother pushed me out the front door and said, “Don’t come home until you have a job.” That is how I found a job a McDonalds. I found that I was quite able to survive in the dog-eat-dog McWorld and I quickly rose to the ranks of assistant manager. Not a day went by where I didn’t think of the line from the song Sellout.

Eventually I quit working at McDonalds, but like a grease-covered magnet, the world of fast food drew me in time and time again. I worked at several different fast food restaurants through the years. Each time I worked at a new restaurant, despite my past experience I always asked to be started as a ‘burger flipper’ and then work my way up the ladder. I would get bored quite easily which is why I wanted to start in a low position; I needed a goal, something to shoot for, something to keep me from losing my mind. Eventually, once I worked my way up the ladder, the job would become stagnant.

The last fast food chain I worked for was A&W, like all the others I stared at the lowest position possible and began to work my way up. As always, I climbed the ladder pretty quickly. I would like to thank my parents for instilling a strong work ethic up on me. Because of my ethics, ability to apply myself and work hard I have always stood out against my fellow employees and have found it easy to find a promotion whenever I choose. The day finally came when my skills were really noticed. The A&W that I was managing was being sold to a different company, and one of the conditions of sale was that I remained as the manager of the store. I was sold; I couldn’t believe it.

While I worked at A&W I was also selling eBooks on eBay as a part time hobby. Since it was created I had always been quite interested in eBay as a way to earn a second income. I read everything I could about eBay, and selling eBooks, and through trail and error I managed to have quite a bit of success at. Once I got over being upset about the fact that I was sold, I decided to take action. It was time to quit, so I went over my numbers, conferred with my girlfriend and came to the conclusion that I made enough money through my eBay hobby to be able to quit my job and sell eBooks on eBay as my full time job! I no longer work in fast food, and I will not have to ever again. So, thanks to some Reel Big Fish (and eBay) I am a happy person.