I am an honored student since pre-school. They told me that I am too smart to take Culinary Arts. But that was my ambition since I was a kid. Please help me.
2007-01-23 16:39:50 · 12 answers · asked by kookoox 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
The happiest and most successful people in the world all say the same thing......DO WHAT YOU LOVE and LOVE WHAT YOU DO.
There is dignity in all work.
Trust your heart and GO FOR IT!
2007-01-23 16:45:55 · answer #1 · answered by Twainbrain 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should go ahead and take Culinary Arts, since that has always been your ambition. Since you have a high level of interest, I assume that you have the talent to be successful in this career. Too many people are unhappy in professional jobs they prepared for because their families thought they should be doctors, attorneys, etc. If you go to the top of your field, regardless of what it is, you will command a lot of respect.
It wouldn't hurt to double check your choice against some unbiased criteria. You will find information about how to make a career choice at this site: http://careerplanning.about.com/od/careerchoicechan/Career_Choice_or_Change.htm
I think it would also be helpful if you could take a part-time temporary job that is related to Culinary Arts, to help you determine if this is indeed the best choice of occupations for you.
s
2007-01-24 00:47:46 · answer #2 · answered by Serendipity 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ignore them and be the best chef or what ever the end result of your training will take you to. It is your life, and if your family does care for you, just you, then they will stand by your side and support you. You might be a "whiz" at many things. That said, it is important that you follow your dreams because there in will you most likely be the best, and prosper as well. A good chef or what ever you become in this field can command their own salary, and get it. You might try a little negotiating. If you come to realize that this isn't what you thought it would be, then you are willing to try something closer to what they feel you should be. Some times, diplomacy and striking a deal are the best way to get some breathing room to either prove yourself right, or possibly wrong.
2007-01-24 00:49:06 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Please forgive me being blunt but you do not write like an honor student. If you feel you are old enough to make life decisions then make them as though your life depended upon them.
If your family is paying for it, take their advice into account. If dad wants his brilliant son to be a doctor, a couple of years of core classes at the local university won't hurt. It will help you later if you want to be a chef.
If you are on your own, do what you want but make darn sure that it is what you want to do. Its easier to transfer to a culinary program at a community college from a university that the other way around.
Good luck
2007-01-24 00:55:11 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I know many culinary graduates that are the most brilliant minded and creative people I've ever met.
Their passion for their craft is mind boggling and the many roads they have traveled, with this gift, is amazing!
Giada DeLaurentis is a perfect example of one who was dissuaded by her "filmmaking/acting" family to enter culinary school in France. She tried to conform to their likes and was miserable. She followed her passion and is quite content and successful today. She made her family proud and more so, followed & pursued her dream.
Personally, I would have taken the DeLaurentis' carte blanche!
You are smart - make the decision that will make you "happy".
Best,
HVB
2007-01-24 00:55:56 · answer #5 · answered by ☼High☼Voltage☼Blonde☼ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Write out FOR and AGAINST list of your choice of studies and the ones suggested by them. That way you can say you honestly looked into what they suggested.
There is also the option of taking a major and secondary courses to include both. Variety gives better employment opportunities in the future
2007-01-24 00:49:58 · answer #6 · answered by wizebloke 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are many paths to success in life.
At some point, you have to decide that you are an adult and follow your own path. When you own your own life and future, you will stop justifying your life choices to your family and friends. Your family and friends may or may not continue to be accepting and supportive of you. Then you have to decide if you are willing to live with the disapproval and disappointment of the people that love you.
There are very fine degree-granting institutions that teach culinary arts such as the Culinary Institute of America and the New England Culinary Institute, to name just two. There are graduate education programs like the one at Cornell that teach chefs to be great businessmen and entrepreneurs in an MBA program geared to hospitality management.
After having said all of the above, if the folks are paying your way, you have fewer choices. If you are paying your own way, you have more choices.
If you are hoping for mom and dad to tote the note, you may have to do it their way for college. In that case, I’d pick a college with a good business administration program with emphasis in hospitality management. Hospitality management is the business umbrella under which hotels and restaurants fall. You can learn the business angle first, do your business internships in a restaurant or other food-related setting, and get your culinary training later. Keep in mind that MANY very fine restaurants fail for lack of business knowledge. If your dream is to have your own restaurant, you will need to have very fine business skills.
Don’t despair; you’re going to need to eat in the interim, so you’ll get to hone your cooking skills along the way. Most of us have to work as we study, so pursue your passion and get a cooking job even if you have to go off campus to do it.
Chef Thomas Keller, owner of the French Laundry (arguably THE best restaurant in the USA) never attended culinary school. He did do a doctorate’s worth of education in the best kitchens possible. It’s okay to not go to culinary school – you can still be a great cook and a successful restaurateur.
At the other end of the spectrum, food television’s “ ‘BAM’ boy,” Emeril Lagasse has his culinary degree from Johnson & Wales University, another fine institution that grants culinary degrees. In my opinion Lagasse’s genius is in marketing himself. His charisma (you will hate him or love him) and his business acumen make him a money-making machine, and he is entertaining to boot.
If you have to satisfy mom and dad to get your schooling paid for, go the business admin with concentration in hospitality management route. You have nothing to lose. Will it take longer? Yes. But if you decide to go into business for yourself – with or without culinary school, you’ll be well prepared to do so.
Best of luck to you.
2007-01-24 01:35:45 · answer #7 · answered by goicuon 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a saying.......if you can find a job doing what you love...
AND get paid for it, that's the best reason I can think of to get up, go to work every day. Hey...follow your ambition!
2007-01-24 00:50:29 · answer #8 · answered by renclrk 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would tell my family that they've been making all the decisions for me for the last 15+ years. Then i'd tell them that it's time that i make my own decision for once, instead of having them right behind me telling which step to take and which one is in their mind "better"
2007-01-24 00:49:46 · answer #9 · answered by saltboi88 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Time to stand on your own two feet. If they support you, great. If not, it's time to go it alone.
2007-01-24 00:44:08 · answer #10 · answered by balderarrow 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋