I am doing what you are thinking of doing. I am 35 years old, and in the IT consulting field now, and I wanted to change careers. I took a job as a dishwasher in a local place and got my foot in the door. I worked on the weekends only so I can keep my current job (you know, to pay the bills). I began doing some prep work and actual cooking once in a while (while still being responsible for the dish pit). I then began culinary school a few weeks ago. So, I kept my normal day job, but needed to leave my dishwashing job while I go to school.
I work from 7am - 5pm at my job, go to school from 6pm to 11:45pm Monday through Friday. It is hard, and I get very tired by the end of the day, but boy is it worth it! I love school and am learning a lot.
The place I washed dishes at has already told me that they will call me if they need someone in a pinch, and they offered for me to come back there to do my externship.
The strange thing is, I felt a lot more fulfilled after a long day of scrubing pots than I do delivering a multi-million dollar project for my client.
I know this is for me.  |