Career Decisions

lukeygina · #1 07-29-2005, 03:01 AM

Most of you don't know me too well... All through high school I wanted to be a Chef up until I was diverted by a tricky Air Force Recruiter... I am now out of the Air Force, got out early under a program they have and I was originally deciding between becoming a Network Admin (Air Force Experience) or persuing my dream of becoming a chef...

I honestly do love cooking, I have been cooking for the majority of the 6 months I've been home and I really enjoy it. Problem is, I don't think I'm really going to enjoy this when I'm elder and stiffer... Right now a 53 hour work week is great when your making 12 bucks and hour and at 19 I can find ways to spend the cash. But I'm not sure whether to go for the 90k per year Computer Job or go for the dream of owning my own place and what not... I have family in the business, owning their own place and I've been offered a job with him if I wanted but I'm really stuck on the issue. I like both things but just can't decide what to do so I decided I would look for some help.

Thanks guys n gals...

kuan · #2 07-29-2005, 06:51 AM

Don't count yourself out just because you think you'll be older and stiffer in the years to come. So many people end up not doing anything because they've already told themselves that they can't do it. Do what you enjoy right now and if you can't do it later, oh well, so be it. You are the product of everything you've done up to now and you're always better off now, good or bad, for better or for worse.

Rivitman · #3 07-29-2005, 09:10 AM

Yeah it hurts some. I won't kid you.

But I used to work at a non cooking job that paid 25 bucks an hour. A monotonous, mind numbing, soul destroying job.
I make less than half that now.

It was causing me a lot of grief to the point where it affected my mental well being.

I made the career change at age 43.

Aside from the aches and pains, I'm pretty healthy now. Money is tighter. But there is no sense that I am wasting my life away. Not all kitchen work is fun. Not much of it is easy.

But it is of some value to have a sense of place, that you are doing what you were put here to do. More than you might think.

Botanique · #4 07-29-2005, 10:34 AM

If you have family in the business, I say take them up on their offer! Get into a professional kitchen and see if the environment is right for you. It may not be, but you would have at least tried it, and you have Information Systems to fall back on!

Follow your heart as a good and truthful life permits, and one moment you'll realize the fear is gone.

lukeygina · #5 07-29-2005, 11:13 AM

Oh I've done alot of cooking... I was head cook at an Italian Restaurant while finishing high school... That's why I'm so torn on the issue... Not boasting but I really am good at cooking... I feel I really could be great if given more education/working with a good chef. I'm really not sure what I'm going to do but I think I'm heading to a community college for the time being for a degree in Comp Science... I think I'm going to try to find a good cooking job down by the college and see where it takes me... As for my uncle, he is buying his second restaurant soon and he has told me whenever I want to I can come down so I guess I just need some time to decide...

Botanique · #6 07-29-2005, 11:36 AM

forgive me -- I didn't catch that you had been cooking professionally since you had been home -- I presumed you were cooking in your own kitchen. Time for cup of coffee for me! LOL

There are so many factors in any decision in one's life, and I realize sometimes seeking advice is an avenue for getting the "go for it" for something you know you already want. I sure hope you find hapiness in whatever you do! You sound pretty fabulous! And thank you for your stint in the Air Force -- my husband's out to sea right now, and I know how hard all of it can be.

From what I have read on ChefTalk, there are some very intelligent, incisive (no cooking pun intended ha ha) and good hearted people out there willing to give you any advice they can give. But what it comes down to is you just making a choice. Only you will know what that right choice is, because only you know what will truly make you happy.

liv4fud · #7 07-29-2005, 12:27 PM

I know how you are feeling though I am not as good a cook. I am from IT as well but look forward to a culinary career.

If you think less money is ok - then do what your heart says. If you want money, you would probably start out higher in your other option.

Is there a chance you can mix both. You have a staging possibility at the Italian restaurant that you talked about. How about getting a day job and continuing your staging. Once you have enough of a fall back, switch.

This is not an all out approach and it doesn't put everything on the line. If you trust your honest effort - you will be fine.

CHEFONCALL · #8 07-29-2005, 08:15 PM

Let me share some slightly intuitive guidance. The title of Executive Chef is called that for a reason. Cooking is only 50% of the soloution. The other 50% of the soloution is making "Executive" descisions. One little tiny bit of experience I can share with you upon this in my short Executive career. Be apart of the soloution. Not part of the problem.

lukeygina · #9 07-30-2005, 12:00 AM

Thanks for the advice I really appreciate it. Not sure what I'm doing besides the college thing for now...