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.
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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.
What a diploma really costs
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 this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it
Follow Baker’s lead
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.
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
