Is it true that if you're training to be a teacher that you can't work a certain job?

Question

I wanted to become a bar maid to just get me through college.I wanted to do this because they can make up to $300 to $1000 in tips. But my mom said since I'm training to be an early childhood ed teacher that I can't do this because some schools may be reluctant to hire me after seeing this on my record.Is this true? I only wanted to pick up extra income.Is it true that I can't be a cocktail waitress just to help me through college too? Since I'm training to be a teacher. So I can't work a certain job because I'm going to be a teacher?

Answer 1

Yes, you have to be very careful about your lifestyle if you are planning to be a teacher.  If any parent or student found out about a past job such as a bar maid, stripper, etc. that could taint your reputation, it could get out and then parents would be very uneasy with having their kids in your class.  It is true.  At my school, a bunch of people used to go out to Chili's for drinks on Fridays after school.  They didn't even drink a lot.  It was just a fun social thing, but parents saw them there and reported it to the school.  They said it made them uncomfortable for their kids to see the teachers drinking alcohol.  So, they weren't allowed to do that as teachers anymore.  

If you want to be a teacher, it is best to do everything you can not to have anything that may even be perceived as negative on your record.  Administrators don't want to hire somebody who the parents will worry about, because that creates more work for the school.  Stick to a safer job such as waitressing.  

It would be even better if you could pick a career that is education-oriented.  Schools want to see that you are using your time to get experience in the career.  Substitute teaching can make you more money than working a bar. You can also work as a tutor, which can pay quite well depending on where you go.

Answer 2

No, that isn't true.  They may ask you about it, but they had to go through school too and they know what it's like.  Besides, when you list your employment experience on your applications you don't necessarily have to list cocktail waitress.  You can just list waitress if you want, or server.  Maybe back in 1920 it could be held against you to work in a bar, but today that happens everywhere you go.  Many teachers I know have second job or businesses that they run over the summer or something like that.  you're fine.

Answer 3

Yes you can work as a cocktail waitress to help you through college.  I think your mom is smoking crack!  As long as you cocktail waitress doesn't mean "stripper" I'm sure you're ok.

Answer 4

you'll be fine!

what would a future employer rather  you did? sit on a beach smoking pot all summer??!

Answer 5

It wont prevent you. However it may not help you either.

Put yourself in the place of a hiring committee - how are you going to spin tending bar as a help on your resume>? dealing with people? making important decisions?

They are looking for someone who spent their college time inside classrooms as aides or paraprofessionals.

Someone got it in your head that 300-1000 in tips is the norm - I'll bet that like anything else - that only applies to the top tender in the top spots - starting out - itll be much much smaller.

listen to your Mom - its experience talking - start working in your dream career now! you might make a bit less - but youll have a leg up on all the other candidates when the important time comes. I cant tell you how many of our own teachers aides we've hired as teachers - they didnt even have to look for a job. they were offered the positions years before they even graduated - all we did is know when their grad date was - and saved them spots.

Answer 6

I'm a teacher and I've never heard of such a thing.  As long as it's a legal job you're fine.  Of course, when you do your resume you should only write down past experience relating to education so that's not something that needs to go on your resume.