More than just a McJob - a new term in the dictionary of restaurants - Brief Article

Career World, Feb-March, 2004

The editors of Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary have recently added the term McJob to their new eleventh edition. (Other dictionaries list the term too.) McDonald's was not very happy. Why didn't McDonald's thank them for the publicity? Maybe it was because the negative definition downplayed the good things about working for a fast-food restaurant.

A McJob can be an opportunity to benefit from real-life work experience. McDonald's chairman and CEO, Jim Cantalupo, recently explained in a letter just how great an experience it can be. Workers learn responsibility and teamwork. They also learn the importance of showing up on time and interacting well with others, among other skills, he says.

Twelve million Americans work in the restaurant business, Cantalupo points out. And teens working in a fast-food restaurant may be on track to more job opportunities. More than 1,000 owners and operators of McDonald's restaurants started out working behind the counter.