Latest news with #workethic
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Atlanta Burger King employee worked a last-minute shift in his graduation gown — what this teen can teach you
While many high school graduates are celebrating the season with dinners, parties and well-deserved rest, one teen in metro Atlanta marked the milestone a little differently — trading his cap and gown for a shift at Burger King. Still wearing his graduation medals around his neck, 18-year-old Mykale Baker showed up to work at the Dacula location just hours after receiving his diploma. His decision not only showed commitment but also caught the internet's attention. Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) Maria Mendoza, a customer who had just come from her own daughter's graduation, stopped by the restaurant for a quick burger when she noticed Baker behind the counter. Inspired by his work ethic and touched by the sight of his medals, she filmed a short video and posted it to TikTok, where it quickly went viral, gaining nearly four million views. But Mendoza didn't stop there. She also launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover Baker's college expenses. What started as a small act of kindness quickly turned into something much bigger: an outpouring of support from strangers across the country. The campaign initially raised just over $6,000, but as of this week, it has grown to more than $87,000. At a time when headlines about Gen Z often focus on entitlement, Baker's story stands out for one simple reason: he showed up. And sometimes, just showing up — even when no one's watching — can change your life. In Georgia, the state minimum wage is officially listed at $5.15 per hour. However, most workers are covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act, which requires employers to pay the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour. At the same time, the cost of attending college in the U.S. keeps climbing. According to the Education Data Initiative, the average annual cost of college, including tuition, books, supplies and living expenses, is $38,270 per student. For many students working part-time jobs, especially in fast food or retail, those wages make it hard to cover even basic expenses, let alone build meaningful savings for tuition. Balancing school and work often means juggling limited hours and inconsistent income — forcing tough decisions about whether to delay college or take on serious debt. 'I was thinking of taking a gap year because I didn't have money for school,' Baker told Mendoza's TikTok followers. 'But thank you to all of you now. I might actually go straight to technical college and get my mechanical (degree).' With the GoFundMe campaign now exceeding its $60,000 goal, Baker is one step closer to turning those college plans into reality. Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says — and that 'anyone' can do it Baker's story proves that even a part-time fast-food job can open doors — especially when paired with a strong work ethic and a willingness to go the extra mile. Showing up to work on graduation day wasn't just a sign of dedication. It was a message to others of his drive and determination. While most part-time workers won't end up in a viral video, the financial lesson still holds: even small paychecks can make a difference. Whether you're using them to cover day-to-day expenses, build an emergency fund or chip away at tuition costs, consistency matters. There are also ways to make those earnings work harder. For example, setting aside a portion of each paycheck into a high-yield savings account can help you take advantage of compounding interest. Even modest contributions — say, $100 a month — can grow over time. It's not just about saving. It's about putting your money in the right place so it continues to work for you. If you're passionate about a goal, don't be afraid to share your story. Scholarships and grants often come when people understand what you're striving for. Hard work rarely goes unnoticed — and sometimes, it pays off in ways you never expected. Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now This is how American car dealers use the '4-square method' to make big profits off you — and how you can ensure you pay a fair price for all your vehicle costs Like what you read? Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise straight to your inbox every week. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
I graduated then went to work a Burger King shift - now I'm $138,000 richer
A Georgia teenager working at Burger King just hours after his graduation ceremony last week caught the eye of a woman sitting in the drive-through line. Maria Mendoza, was impressed at how cheery he was to simply be doing his job, even right after graduating from high school. On a whim, she recorded the teen, Mykale Baker, putting together an order and posted it to TikTok with the caption: 'This young man deserves a scholarship.' That video got more than 4 million views, with many commenters prodding Mendoza to start a GoFundMe so people could donate to his college education. On Tuesday, Mendoza posted a follow-up video of her visiting the 18-year-old at the Burger King in Dacula and surprising him with the fundraiser, which at that point had raised just over $6,000. Upon learning that hundreds of strangers had donated to help him pursue an education, Baker broke down crying before hugging his mother and Mendoza. As of late Saturday afternoon, more than $138,000 has been raised for Baker. Now, thousands of well-meaning strangers have donated to make sure the youngster has a great future ahead of him. 'I just want to say thank you to my parents and all the people that see the good in me and believe in me, and donated all that money to me,' Baker said in an interview with 11Alive. Mendoza told the outlet that she was moved by Baker's work ethic and was inspired to repay him for being such a stand-up person. 'While many graduates spent the night celebrating with friends and family, one young man quietly showed the world what determination looks like,' Mendoza wrote on the GoFundMe description. 'Just after receiving his diploma - still proudly wearing his medals - he reported to his shift at Burger King. He didn't do it for attention. He doesn't even know his story went viral. But thousands of people were moved by his dedication, humility, and work ethic, she wrote. Mendoza later found out that he wasn't even scheduled to work that night, but volunteered to help out his coworkers because there was a huge rush after graduation. So, just hours after he walked the stage at Mills Creek High School, he was right back at Burger King to pitch in. 'He was so kind, so polite,' Mendoza told 11Alive. 'Radiating joy, even after such a big day. His dedication and quiet strength really moved me. I felt called to do something to recognize that.' 'I'm just grateful I got to do something for him,' she added. 'He inspired me.'
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Mike Rowe warns of declining work ethic problem as younger generation 'snowflakes' face fewer consequences
Former "Dirty Jobs" host Mike Rowe warns the United States is facing a work ethic problem, largely among Gen Z and other young generations, and argues a world without "deadlines" and "consequences" has fueled the potential crisis. Over the last few years, many critics have questioned the work ethic of members of Gen Z (generally anyone born between 1997 and 2012) and have expressed concern over how this affects young people entering the workforce. Gen Z Branded As 'The Ghosted Generation' As Dates, Colleges And Employers Keep Saying 'No' Rowe explained to "The Story" this week that one overriding factor contributing to the decline in work ethic is that younger generations face more lenient deadlines and less "consequences." When this happens, Rowe said, expectations and standards of workers can become "fungible" quickly. Many Gen Zers also benefit from having parents who are all-too-willing to financially help them. "I think that if you live your life on a high wire with a safety net 15 feet below you all of the time, there's no consequence for falling," Rowe explained. Read On The Fox News App The longtime TV host explained that this apparent work-ethic dearth did not just happen, saying that "we're the clouds from which the snowflakes fell." Rowe believes there is a warped understanding of how the employment market works right now. He argued that a tight labor market is allowing for additional accommodations because people are not "lining up" to do the work needed. "We've got a huge labor shortage and the push to get to the AI thing over the finish line. That means data centers. We've got to train people to build these data centers," he said. Rowe is also the CEO of the mikeroweWORKS Foundation, which advocates for skilled trades as valuable and lucrative career paths and offers a Work Ethic Scholarship Program for those pursuing skilled trades. Mike Rowe On Labor Shortage Under Biden"s Economy: Work Has Become The 'Enemy' He highlighted that his scholarship program makes several demands from individuals vying for the scholarship money. The majority of these tasks fail to be completed, Rowe revealed. "They're started, but they don't finish them for the exact reasons we're talking about. So, yeah, it's a problem," he said, saying that it's an issue he is unsure how to remedy. "The world is either going to change to accommodate the current generation, or the current generation is going to change to accommodate the world they're living in," Rowe lamented.. Rowe said that 2,200 kids in his foundation that have learned to be welders, plumbers, and other trades are making six figures, saying that people are either "inspired" by those people or they are not. "So there's enthusiasm for the work. It's just not in the places you're looking," he article source: Mike Rowe warns of declining work ethic problem as younger generation 'snowflakes' face fewer consequences
Fox News
24-05-2025
- Business
- Fox News
Mike Rowe warns of declining work ethic problem as younger generation 'snowflakes' face fewer consequences
Former "Dirty Jobs" host Mike Rowe warns the United States is facing a work ethic problem, largely among Gen Z and other young generations, and argues a world without "deadlines" and "consequences" has fueled the potential crisis. Over the last few years, many critics have questioned the work ethic of members of Gen Z (generally anyone born between 1997 and 2012) and have expressed concern over how this affects young people entering the workforce. Rowe explained to "The Story" this week that one overriding factor contributing to the decline in work ethic is that younger generations face more lenient deadlines and less "consequences." When this happens, Rowe said, expectations and standards of workers can become "fungible" quickly. Many Gen Zers also benefit from having parents who are all-too-willing to financially help them. "I think that if you live your life on a high wire with a safety net 15 feet below you all of the time, there's no consequence for falling," Rowe explained. The longtime TV host explained that this apparent work-ethic dearth did not just happen, saying that "we're the clouds from which the snowflakes fell." Rowe believes there is a warped understanding of how the employment market works right now. He argued that a tight labor market is allowing for additional accommodations because people are not "lining up" to do the work needed. "We've got a huge labor shortage and the push to get to the AI thing over the finish line. That means data centers. We've got to train people to build these data centers," he said. Rowe is also the CEO of the mikeroweWORKS Foundation, which advocates for skilled trades as valuable and lucrative career paths and offers a Work Ethic Scholarship Program for those pursuing skilled trades. He highlighted that his scholarship program makes several demands from individuals vying for the scholarship money. The majority of these tasks fail to be completed, Rowe revealed. "They're started, but they don't finish them for the exact reasons we're talking about. So, yeah, it's a problem," he said, saying that it's an issue he is unsure how to remedy. "The world is either going to change to accommodate the current generation, or the current generation is going to change to accommodate the world they're living in," Rowe lamented.. Rowe said that 2,200 kids in his foundation that have learned to be welders, plumbers, and other trades are making six figures, saying that people are either "inspired" by those people or they are not. "So there's enthusiasm for the work. It's just not in the places you're looking," he added.
Times
23-05-2025
- Business
- Times
Countess of Yarmouth: Our disinheritance is a tragedy
Every morning this week, the Earl of Yarmouth, William Seymour, has risen from his bed in the early hours, pulled on his clothes and gone to work on his family farm. To his wife, the work ethic that drives the routine picking elder blossoms for their liqueur business stands in stark contrast to assumptions that have come to be made about her husband. Because in addition to being a businessman, the earl is the scion of one of Britain's grandest aristocratic families, whose £85 million ancestral estate centres on the 345-year-old Ragley Hall. 'There's this talk of entitlement and that William is a lazy, entitled toff,' the Countess of Yarmouth, Kelsey Seymour, said. 'Well, I can tell you he's getting up at four o'clock in
