Re: Will it always be a Dream???

Posted by MJ on June 13, 1998 at 16:00:35:

In Reply to: Will it always be a Dream??? posted by Jackie on February 27, 1998 at 17:08:20:

: I am 25 years old and have dreamt of becoming a chef for as long as I can remember. But, I feel as though I am at a stand still, and this dream will always be just that. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Hospitality Management and I have an excellent job with great benefits. I am torn of whether or not to follow my dream (and how to do so), or to pursue another road. I'm not sure which way to go. Any advise?

I am also 25 years old. This has also been a lifelong dream of mine. I also have a steady job
with a good paycheck and excellent benefits...THAT I HATE. I have finally decided to stop
procrastinating and apply to a school this summer. I am trying to decide between 2 schools at
the moment...I'll be narrowing it down by next weekend. I think you should examine all the schools
in the area. Be prepared that when you visit good schools, they will tell you that you have to
go on an externship. Some as long as three months. This has been a major problem for me because
I could not conceive how I could live without my paycheck for three months working my butt off in
a kitchen. But I decided finally that it's a small price to pay to do something I love. People
have tried to sway me from this decision, oh it's such long hours, oh you have to work every holiday
and so on. But I already work long hours. My company is not so generous with time off and there is
no fun, no creativity at all. I've done the most degrading things in an office job...believe it or
not...and I want OUT!!! So I say, get as much information on it that you possibly can. Visit as many
schools as you possibly can. Keep in mind that you can still go to school and work at the same time,
maybe even when you go on your externship. Know that you have to have a thick skin. Know that you will
work hard, harder than you do. Know that you will get the credit for it. Know that you will get
satisfaction out of it. Know that there are egos and odd personalities in this profession as there are
in EVERY profession. Know that you are fulfilling your dream and not letting another day go by, watching
another cooking show and wishing you could do that. And. know that if you hate it, you can always go back to your previous profession.

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