From Quitting Teaching to Waiting Tables: Missing Kids, but Making Greater Financial Gains

• Alexis Fernandez, a former English teacher, experienced burnout when her job became remote.
• After being laid off from her finance position, she found that working as a server yielded higher income.
• This is her personal story, as shared with Anne Wen.

This interview is based on a conversation with Alexis Fernandez, a 26-year-old who made the transition from being an English teacher to working as a server in two restaurants. It has been condensed and edited for clarity.

I’m originally from Puerto Rico and came to the United States to attend Vassar College in New York. Although my initial plan was to work in higher education, I was recruited to teach middle-school English at a charter school in the Bronx in 2018. I decided to accept the offer and immersed myself in teaching.

I thoroughly enjoyed working with the students and teaching them reading and writing. It felt empowering to equip them with such essential skills. Additionally, I found a strong sense of community in the Bronx. However, when the pandemic struck and we had to switch to remote learning, I started feeling overwhelmed and burnt out. Dealing with cultural issues at the school, along with the demanding hours and high expectations, became too much to handle. In an attempt to stay in the teaching field, I pursued a master’s degree in education online. This allowed me to explore various areas such as leadership theory, effective communication, and workplace culture.

Rediscovering my roots in the finance industry

Through some connections, I eventually landed a position as a financial representative at a company in the city. This role involved selling insurance and obtaining the necessary licenses. Although it was different from teaching, the company culture was a great fit, and I enjoyed the breathtaking views from our corporate offices. However, working on commission and navigating the slow process of selling insurance and gaining customer approvals proved challenging at times. My clients primarily consisted of first-generation families and recent college graduates who sought financial guidance. Assisting them reminded me of my own background and allowed me to make a positive impact. Unfortunately, the financial industry didn’t offer substantial financial rewards for this kind of work, despite my enjoyment of it.

Due to the low pay in my insurance job, I started working as a hostess at 5 Napkin Burger in 2021. My schedule became packed, with shifts from 9 a.m. to midnight, as I balanced two jobs. Eventually, I transitioned from being a hostess to a server. The restaurant environment was appealing because of the opportunity to work alongside people my age.

A shift in circumstances: From layoffs to fulfillment and security

In November 2022, I was unexpectedly laid off from the insurance company, which led me to take on additional work at Applebee’s. Mornings were spent at Applebee’s, and then I rushed to 5 Napkin Burger for the night shift, ending around 11:30 p.m. or midnight. While I continue my search for a regular nine-to-five job in finance, aligned with my experience, I am also considering a sales and marketing role at a fintech startup through my network. However, I intend to maintain my work at the restaurant. Although restaurant jobs may not typically guarantee security, I feel more assured at 5 Napkin Burger, knowing that I will be paid as long as I fulfill a certain number of shifts. With the corporate layoffs happening all around, I am increasingly aware of the instability, especially if I were to join a startup or another tech company.

I don’t mind working long hours. The issue with teaching wasn’t necessarily the hours; it was the disparity between the effort I put in and the meager pay I received. When working long hours at the restaurant, each hour feels valuable. Once, I calculated my earnings from my teaching job and realized I was making less than minimum wage based on the hours worked. I find immense joy in serving people and connecting with them. Being able to create a memorable experience, even within a short timeframe like 1½ or two hours, is incredibly fulfilling to me. Food has always held a special place in my heart, and growing up, I cherished the moments centered around it. My mother used to watch the Food Network religiously. By simply providing recommendations and facilitating orders to enhance the customer experience, I feel a deep sense of fulfillment.