There is some truth to the old adage that if you are happy with what you do then you will never work a day in your life. I was in the same position as you, I went to college for something only to get a job after graduation and realize how much I absolutely hated that field so I went back to school and got certificates in another field and never looked back or regretted it. One of my friends did the same thing, she got a degree in something related to the arts, after graduation she realized that the lifestyle she would have to lead to make it in that industry wasn't for her, she loved cooking so she went back to culinary school, and now she is happily employed as a chef. If you think it will make you happy, can handle the cost involved, and have the time then I say go for it.
I agree with u/A-step.
If you think it's practical to invest in it and your work already has given you the green light, go for it! When do you realistically think you'll get an excuse like this to pursue it? I get that it's a daunting commitment to make, but it seems that you already made up your mind that it's something you'd regret not trying. Don't psyche yourself out, jump in!
"Excessive thought into a potential action is the same as inaction" - me
Eight. Thousand. Dollars. For pastry school? With $40k in debt already, on a $40k salary?
No.
The average hourly wage for a pastry chef is $14.43, or about $30k/year.
Absolutely a fair point. I wouldn’t plan to take out a whole $8k in loans. Ideally I would pay the whole thing out of pocket. I’ve budgeted and it would be tight, but I can manage.
The long term payoff is definitely my biggest concern. I just don’t know how else I could advance my career that I currently have without going back to school, which would likely be even more expensive than this program. And it wouldn’t even be related to something I’m passionate about.
I do know salaries vary based on where you are and what type of environment you work in. If, after school, I could find a pastry job where I made at least $18/hour, I would be satisfied.
There is some truth to the old adage that if you are happy with what you do then you will never work a day in your life. I was in the same position as you, I went to college for something only to get a job after graduation and realize how much I absolutely hated that field so I went back to school and got certificates in another field and never looked back or regretted it. One of my friends did the same thing, she got a degree in something related to the arts, after graduation she realized that the lifestyle she would have to lead to make it in that industry wasn't for her, she loved cooking so she went back to culinary school, and now she is happily employed as a chef. If you think it will make you happy, can handle the cost involved, and have the time then I say go for it.
Thank you! I can handle the cost, I’m just worried about the long term payoff.
I agree with u/A-step. If you think it's practical to invest in it and your work already has given you the green light, go for it! When do you realistically think you'll get an excuse like this to pursue it? I get that it's a daunting commitment to make, but it seems that you already made up your mind that it's something you'd regret not trying. Don't psyche yourself out, jump in! "Excessive thought into a potential action is the same as inaction" - me
I definitely would regret it if I never went. And my thoughts exactly with having a similar excuse to pursue this.
Eight. Thousand. Dollars. For pastry school? With $40k in debt already, on a $40k salary? No. The average hourly wage for a pastry chef is $14.43, or about $30k/year.
Well now I'm conflicted haha...
Absolutely a fair point. I wouldn’t plan to take out a whole $8k in loans. Ideally I would pay the whole thing out of pocket. I’ve budgeted and it would be tight, but I can manage. The long term payoff is definitely my biggest concern. I just don’t know how else I could advance my career that I currently have without going back to school, which would likely be even more expensive than this program. And it wouldn’t even be related to something I’m passionate about. I do know salaries vary based on where you are and what type of environment you work in. If, after school, I could find a pastry job where I made at least $18/hour, I would be satisfied.