Is bartending a bad idea for a future child psychologist?

[Anonymous]

I currently work as a sound engineer and hate my job. I won't go into detail here, but I work in a very toxic environment and want to get out by this summer. I, however, have no other job experience besides sound design. I've looked elsewhere and they are only hiring full time, which I am unable to do right now. My mom suggested that I look into bartending school. I could be done with it before the semester starts and have a pretty good chance at a job which works around the hours I need (more or less).

My main concern is that I want to work with kids in the future. If I work at a bar, will I be looked down at for this? I also don't drink, so I am not sure how good I would be at this. She says I have the tough, brutally honest, yet sweet personality that bartenders have and I'll learn as I go. But I am more concerned with how I will be looked at to potential employers and clients. I don't think the words "bar" and "kids" go together. I apologize if anyone here is offended. I am not looking down at the position itself, it's more about how I will look to people when I say I want to work with kids, but here I am working at a bar.

Anyone have experience or advice?

[WhatTheHeckkkk]

It isn’t necessarily a bad idea, but your employers for the child psychologist position might question it - They may make some assumptions or judgements.


I do agree that “bar” and “kids” don’t sound good together, but that doesn’t always mean you’re incapable or have a certain personality that wouldn’t be good with children/child psychology.


Prior work history doesn’t seem to matter much, as long as you have work experience/references for the current or future career, if needed.


In all honestly, I don’t think they’d seem to care much… People get temporary jobs that are total opposite of their career choice, and it’s because they need to work or make money. Who are they to judge someone who works as a grocer, fast food server, bartender, or dog walker to make money in the time between getting their career?

[NamerOfStars]

It doesn't sound bad to me- there's probably a not insignificant overlap in the skills used in both psychology and bartending. Not in booze-dpspensing, obviously, but in being a listening ear, advising, and breaking down the stories people tell to determine the truth.

Now, while it's true that an outside observer might raise an eyebrow at a bartender going into psychology, if you work with kids, your background's going to be looked inho pretty thoroughly- the people who matter aren't going to balk at previous jobs you had. Except maybe "child trafficker". Don't do that.

[NathanDavis]

it should not matter... in a way I did work at some bars and parties, at the same time I worked in two other different occupations, with kids

when you work with kids, you are definitely going to be profiled, your background will be checked and you will be looked upon and supervised, or at least that was in my case.. so it is more about how you really are as a person, and they will not make assumptions about you, they will make sure they know about you

working at a bar is not something outrageous really

[KrakenAttackin]

Your mom is telling you to be a bartender? Seriously? Your mom is an idiot.

How about getting certified and working in a day care to see if you really do want to work with kids?

[Asker]

She's just thinking about how I can get out of my current job right now. I need part time and daycares are looking for people are can work full time and the certification here takes 2 years... I don't have that time. I'll be done with my degree by then.
And yes, I volunteer with kids pretty often... I'm sure I want to work with them.

[Fireguy17]

You can make good money, but the hours and lack of sleep may make it hard for early classes.