6 replies to this topic

[Jorge]

Ive been at the same job for almost 9 years now...sigh...I currently work in the hotel industry making other people's vacation happen and well its grown somewhat boring and very very redundant, but hey it pays the bills and keeps me insured. Well lately I have this crazy notion about going to culinary school in order to become a pastry chef, and in the future open my own bakery. I have always loved to bake and it makes me happy, but Im scared to do it. It will be all new to me, and change makes me very nervous. Going back to school, with people much younger than me, and well, able bodied, able to work around the kitchens much easier than I would be able to. What if I have issues using equipment in the kitchens and just end up failing or making a fool out of myself. I know I shouldnt have this attitude, crap! Ive been paralzyed for almost 19 years! I should be immune to these feelings but alas they are very real. If I do go I will have to intern and the thought of that makes me so nervous, I hate feeling this way, its like a huge brick wall starting to grow before I even do it...and its all mental. I need some encouragement. It would be nice to open my own bakery and sell the Cuban pastries I grew up with and enjoyed with my grandfather as a child, but the wheelchair is scaring me out of doing it, that and the thought of failure. Should I or should I just be safe and keep doing what I do, and just bake at home and leave it at that.....

[Jorge]

sigh....I guess no one cares...

[jaquie_farmer]

Do what makes you happy. It's better to have tried and failed then to have to spend the rest of your life wondering what if. You only have life on earth for a little while so take advantage of it. Smile, laugh and enjoy it. Life doesn't stop for anyone so roll on.

[KarenFerguson]

Maybe you could take some cooking classes (like at a community college or something) on the side and still keep the hotel job? I'd hate to have you leave a paying job for something that might not work out. Sorry to be such a downer about this, but I suppose it's the realist in me. I'm all for following your dream, you would totally regret it if you never tried ... and man ... now you've gotten me all hungry for pastries... haha

[lynne]

I think that you should go for it. You only get one crack at life. Then again as you work in the hotel industry could you not try and maybe have some work experience to start with in the kitchen and see how you get on (maybe in some of your spare time)

Lynne

[Jorge]

awww ty for posting some advice guys.

[doublelibra]

Jorge, I agree with those who say go for it. I'm quadriplegic, and I went back and got my Master's in Community and Agency Counseling in 2004. Check the school out well beforehand, though. Some schools are overpriced scams, at least in some other fields. I think UNLV has a well-respected culinary arts program. The university I attended had an Office for Students with Disabilities, and they were excellent at helping with any problems, adaptive equipment, etc. that I needed help with. You could just take one class to see how it will work for you, without letting go of your current job. Good luck, and let us know if you try it!

doublelibra