Tuesday, May 23, 2006

i need feedback

I write this post in the hopes that someone will tell me what to do with my life. So don't be shy ... boss me around.

Yesterday I visited Culinard. For those of you who may not know what this is, it is a culinary (that means cooking) school. If you know me, and you probably do, you know that I am totally obsessed with food and cooking. So much so that my television station of choice is the food network, and that I am willing to get up early on a Saturday morning to watch cooking demos at the farmer's market. So, in this respect, culinary school seems logical. Do what you love, right?

But the part that I can't swallow is the amount of money that it costs. For two years I would pay $43,000. That's a fat wad of cash. Actually, that's a fat wad of student loans that will gain a fat wad of interest.

So do I do what I love and pay off student loans for most of my life, or do I work jobs I don't like and not be in debt?

10 comments:

Ginny said...

now you know i like to boss people around. but, i just don't know. you've got me stumped. i think you would love culinard. will you be able to make good money when you get out of school? could you get a grant or something? i almost want to say go for it. get in debt now. but what do i know?

Amanda said...

People who already have degrees can't get grants. You have to be uneducated for those!

Angie Davis said...

glad to see I have a kindred spirit! I love and do the same thing! I think it depends on what you want to do. If you want to be a chef, then you probably want the training. If you are thinking of starting something on your own, or just for fun...... I'm not sure. Culinard would be great regardless, but I do know a girl who went through their pastry school and it was intense (many long hours, much labor, harder than she thought)but she is an amazing pastry chef. Their are also one time classes you can take on different cuisines, different methods, etc. that you might want to check out. not sure if Culinard offers this, but I know Homewood Gourmet offers some and some place in Mtn. Brook and another in Oneonta (my mom just did this one and loved it. I'll ask her about it). Whatever the case, do something!

Angie Davis said...

and........you should start blogging your recipes and ideas and share them with me. I have a cheesy(no pun intended) recipe blog and I was just waiting on some friends to join me!

David said...

Whatever you do, can I be a taste-tester?? But seriously, the practical option is to pursue your dream with quality training and the least amount cost. So, follow Angie's advice, see if they have short term classes or certification programs. One would think that having a college education would make you marketable enough to land a good gig with something as simple as a certificate of a cluster of training courses complete. Those are my "bossy" thoughts. Thanks for letting me put my Student Affairs master's degree to work...LOL

Angie Davis said...

hi again! Viva the Chef is mainly a kids cooking school, but has an adult Gourmet class. It's in Cahaba Heights, 967-viva. Also, Cuisine Cooking School-n-Gourmet Market (Highland Ave, 908-0539). Homewood Gourmet - 871-1620. Wish I could go too! You have motivated me to find a class here.

It's so funny you asked me if I was an ISTJ b/c I am actually a INFP! But I still think we could be alot alike. Most of my close friends are my opposite. Will you be my best blog friend? :) bbf's forever!

Renee said...

Do it Amanda! Take classes somewhere and open your own bakery/coffee shop

jeff said...

Your good at cooking good food, I think that you will be an excellent chef!!! Seriously. You seem to enjoy it. I agree with angie about posting your recipes.

RDS said...

so i just now saw this post, you may have already made a decision...but i so go for it...life is too short to not do what you love. God gave you the desires for a reason =)i hate that money stands in the way of our dreams...
just my thoughts...
you better let me know if you do enroll in Culinard!

Anonymous said...

Get out of Birmingham and go to a school that costs less but gives you a better education. Culinard is good but you need to get out of the south if you are to be taken seriously in the PROFESSIONAL culinary world. Again, Culinard is a good school but if you want to work anywhere outside of the South go to one of the schools up North.