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Is it worth going into culinary?

So I took a culinary class in high school and enjoyed it and thought about pursuing this career, but I don't know if going into this field is worth the time and money in the long run.

money career-path culinary-arts mental-health high-school-students
Thank you comment icon Good question, Maribelle. I guess you've heard the old adage: "Do something you love, and you'll never work a day in your life." I pretty much adhere to that adage. It is good to find a passion or a mission for your life. My overall mission was I wanted to make people smile. I tried several careers to do that such as acting and singing. And all those provided some enjoyment for folks, I think the better fit for me has been a licensed professional counselor. Here are some of the considerations that help me pursue my career as a counselor: 1) I truly feel it is my calling. 2) I am able to meet one on one with folks and discuss important topics. (This is especially helpful for me, an introvert). 3) I can eliminate the stress of overhead as I see clients virtually right from my home. 4) once the stress of handing over my billing to a billing specialist and once my clientele built to a steady amount in number, I eliminated a lot of stress. With that being said, I ask you these questions: 1)what do you like about cooking 2)what do you enjoy most in life 3)how much stress can you handle in an ongoing basis 4)where do you see yourself living and working and loving? Let the answer to these questions be your guide. Best wishes for a wonderful journey and don't forget to smell the roses along the way. Judith-Ann Anderson
Thank you comment icon I too am in high school, all I can say is that if you enjoy baking and cooking, then start small. Once you fully know if you want to go into that career or not, then go from there. I love acting and theatre, and I have a hard time figuring out if I really want to make that commitment to becoming a big-time actress. That's why I do classes and join plays at my school. Now I definitely know that I really want to act bigger. Everybody is different though, so do what your gut tells you, you know you best. Best of luck fellow student! Kayla
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Jim’s Answer

You are young. The whole world is in your hands right. now. It will take you at least two years to really decide. The school of hard knocks is what it is. there will be a lot of frustration, and good times. If you decide it is for you i suggest you take a few more formal classes. It doesnt have to be CIA or Johnson and Wales. But there are basics you will not learn by just walking into a kitchen, unless you have a phenomenal chef. I have 50 years in the business since i was 13. Both formal training, and kitchen training. I always wanted to do it though, so it was easy. Do not expect to be rolling in the dough for a long while though.
Jim Lachance
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Valerie’s Answer

This is a great idea! I would suggest you look for a summer job (or a weekend job) at a place you like and see how you like it? Not at MacDonald's. Go to a restaurant you like, ask to talk to the chef and/or manager, tell them you want to see if you really like it. Ask them questions, see if they would be willing to offer you a summer job. If they don't, they might know someone who does and might give you some good advice/tips. What is important is to be around people who do what you want to do. You want to become a chef? Be around chefs. This is valid for everything you do.
Is it worth the time and money in the long run? If this is something you like, it will always be worth the time. If you like to cook, you will always like to do it, even if it only in your own kitchen. Whatever you learn will always be useful. Follow your heart and what you want to do.

Once you do some different culinary jobs, you will see what you like most and you then might choose to specialize in something specific (such as pastries only, etc). Find groups on internet in your area (such as South Carolina Cooks, or South Carolina Chefs, etc). Meet them, ask them questions. How did they become successful? What are the pros and cons (they are the experts and they have experience)? Would they have done it differently? Learn from their experience. Try things and move around if you discover you like something else better. You're whole life is in front of you.

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