Meet the health-care reporter who works at McDonald's on weekends to make ends meet

http://jimromenesko.com/2014/10/23/meet-the-medical-reporter-who-took-a-part-time-job-at-mcdonalds-to-make-ends-meet/

Dean Olsen is the health-care reporter at GateHouse Media’s State Journal-Register in Springfield, Ill. The 54-year-old journalist, who hasn’t had a raise in seven years, works at McDonald’s part-time to support his family.

... Olsen was hired by McDonald’s in May after he job-hunted for six months and applied at dozens of places. “I know it’s ironic” that a health-care reporter is working at a fast-food restaurant, he tells me, “but I need to support my family and I’ll do whatever it takes.”

... Olsen is also chairman of the Springfield unit of the United Media Guild, and is trying to get GateHouse to start giving raises. It’s not looking good, though. “We know the company has money, but raises just aren’t in their plan.”

... Olsen’s job is working the front counter and sometimes taking drive-thru orders.“I’ve had sources come up to the drive-thru and they’re quite surprised to see me. Some think I’m working on an investigative project.”