[BMWcoupe335ii]

Im currently a sous chef and I'm just burnt out on the restaurant industry and looking for a careers switch. This is all I've been doing since I was 17 (I'm 21 now). My question is if anyone here was a chef and made a switch what career did you switch too.

[N55]

You are still young, it doesn't matter what other people have switched to. You need to find a passion that YOU like and pursue it.

[BruceJ]

Originally Posted by BMWcoupe335ii

Im currently a sous chef and I'm just burnt out on the restaurant industry and looking for a careers switch. This is all I've been doing since I was 17 (I'm 21 now). My question is if anyone here was a chef and made a switch what career did you switch too.

Military about 32 years ago.
If you have been cooking full time for the past 3 years you probably have a good work ethic. If you have a HS diploma you can ask for whatever you are smart enough (test wise) to master before you go in. Even the military is getting pickier, they want that HS Dip. You just have to suck up the discipline thing COMMIT to the service, be competitive and you'll do well. Even if 20-30 years is not for you, you can get some breathing room to decide what you want to do. You need to figure out what it is you love to do, then learn to do it better than anyone. Military, believe it or not, helps with that.
If you like to fix things, they have Tech repair skills like electronics, computers, mechanics, etc. Thats what I did. If you look at the military like its a challenge, everyday, you have little problem.
And you know the deal, yeah that part that gets signed in Blood. You give them the opportunity to put you in harm's way. But you dont go alone, and you would be floored at the people you meet along the way.

The video may be Hollywood but its no joke. Met some seals once in Saudi Arabia; serious folks. They live where most of the military visits occasionally.

If the thought of living in foriegn countries, learning new things constantly, competing against yourself and your buddies, and doing some hairy things appeals to you.......
I cooked/sous chef/saucier for 3 years before I went in. It was that or go to the offshore rigs off Louisiana. College didnt work for me then. Now have 2 degrees and more experience than a lot of people get in 50 years. Did 20 years for the Corps to the day, and took 20 seconds to watch the door shut when I left.
Got out 10 years ago. Pull down about 100k a year now. Still do things no one else wants to do, but I get paid well to do it. But now I'm the one who figures out how to do things that others do.
Nope I'm not a recruiter, Im about as far from it as you could get. During my 20 I got to be a Drill Instructor for a few years. No BS, get what you want, in writing, before you sign your name, cause thats all you will get. And if you are really putting out you will pay for everything you get in sweat only, if you pay attention and have a little luck.

I was you 32 years ago - good luck what ever you decide to do.

[BMWcoupe335ii]

I've been working full time since I was 17 as a line cook and when I turned 19 I became sous chef (took alot of sweat and burns lol) and I graduated high school with a good gpa (3.7). The thought of joining the national guards has crossed my mind a countless amount of times, but I just can't see signing 3 years of my life over to this fucked up, backwards ass country (I AM BY NO MEANS DISRESPECTING ANYONE IN ANY OF THE ARMED FORCES, I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU GUYS PUT YOUR LIFES ON THE LINE SO THAT I CAN BE FREE, AND I TRULEY RESPECT AND APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DO). I was accepted to many colleges and also got a scholarship to play percussion (snar drum) in many college bands, but I knew after I graduated high school college was not for me. I'm just at a point in my life where I feel I should be doing bigger and better things.

Originally Posted by BruceJ

Military about 32 years ago.
If you have been cooking full time for the past 3 years you probably have a good work ethic. If you have a HS diploma you can ask for whatever you are smart enough (test wise) to master before you go in. Even the military is getting pickier, they want that HS Dip. You just have to suck up the discipline thing COMMIT to the service, be competitive and you'll do well. Even if 20-30 years is not for you, you can get some breathing room to decide what you want to do. You need to figure out what it is you love to do, then learn to do it better than anyone. Military, believe it or not, helps with that.
If you like to fix things, they have Tech repair skills like electronics, computers, mechanics, etc. Thats what I did. If you look at the military like its a challenge, everyday, you have little problem.
And you know the deal, yeah that part that gets signed in Blood. You give them the opportunity to put you in harm's way. But you dont go alone, and you would be floored at the people you meet along the way.

The video may be Hollywood but its no joke. Met some seals once in Saudi Arabia; serious folks. They live where most of the military visits occasionally.

If the thought of living in foriegn countries, learning new things constantly, competing against yourself and your buddies, and doing some hairy things appeals to you.......
I cooked/sous chef/saucier for 3 years before I went in. It was that or go to the offshore rigs off Louisiana. College didnt work for me then. Now have 2 degrees and more experience than a lot of people get in 50 years. Did 20 years for the Corps to the day, and took 20 seconds to watch the door shut when I left.
Got out 10 years ago. Pull down about 100k a year now. Still do things no one else wants to do, but I get paid well to do it. But now I'm the one who figures out how to do things that others do.
Nope I'm not a recruiter, Im about as far from it as you could get. During my 20 I got to be a Drill Instructor for a few years. No BS, get what you want, in writing, before you sign your name, cause thats all you will get. And if you are really putting out you will pay for everything you get in sweat only, if you pay attention and have a little luck.

I was you 32 years ago - good luck what ever you decide to do.

[evoi19]

It depends on what you like to do. What are your interests? Nowadays it's pretty tough to get a job w/o a degree. It doesn't mean you won't be successful w/o one, but it's alot tougher. My sister never went to college but she's a people person and street smart. She worked her ass off and is now an executive technical recruiter at google. And google hardly ever hires anyone w/o a degree...so it can be done, but it's a harder road/path.

At 21, you're still young and you still have alot of time to figure out what you want to do, but you should have at least a 5 year plan. Where do you see yourself and where do you want to be. Once that's set, don't let anything stop you. Life is a challenge and it'll throw obstacles at you from time to time. the key is to keep your eye on the prize and fight on.

I personally like the military. I never joined, but came close once right before 9/11. It gives you discipline, direction and responsiblility. Teaches you not to be lazy and go out there and get what you want. Plus you get to shoot guns! lol 3 years of your life is nothing in the grand scheme of things. While your friends are out partying or whatever, you'll be learning something that you can take with you for life...

[BMWcoupe335ii]

Originally Posted by evoi19

It depends on what you like to do. What are your interests? Nowadays it's pretty tough to get a job w/o a degree. It doesn't mean you won't be successful w/o one, but it's alot tougher. My sister never went to college but she's a people person and street smart. She worked her ass off and is now an executive technical recruiter at google. And google hardly ever hires anyone w/o a degree...so it can be done, but it's a harder road/path.

At 21, you're still young and you still have alot of time to figure out what you want to do, but you should have at least a 5 year plan. Where do you see yourself and where do you want to be. Once that's set, don't let anything stop you. Life is a challenge and it'll throw obstacles at you from time to time. the key is to keep your eye on the prize and fight on.

I personally like the military. I never joined, but came close once right before 9/11. It gives you discipline, direction and responsiblility. Teaches you not to be lazy and go out there and get what you want. Plus you get to shoot guns! lol 3 years of your life is nothing in the grand scheme of things. While your friends are out partying or whatever, you'll be learning something that you can take with you for life...

Well right now I work full time and make a pretty good paycheck I have like 30k in my savings. Me and my wife own our condo we both have 2 cars that are paid off (e92 me and e92 for her) in 5 years I want to be set in a career I love and hopefully have a house. I'm really interested in car but I don't want to work on them, I want a job with motor trend or something like that I'm giving myself till im 23 to know exactly what I want to do. By this I mean a job I love, not just a jobs where you make good money. I don't want to work a job that pays well but I'm miserable.

[fatgrandma]

You are 21 sir, you have some time left to figure out what you wan't to do in life. People change. If you are so lucky to have $$ then try something I would like to do. Maybe it works, maybe not.
I'm 26 and now am at the point I can say "I love what I am doing, and I would like to do it forever". I've got jobs before and liked almost all of them. Like I said. Try something else if you aren't happy any more.

[fitchesbass]

Unfortunately a number of things you might aspire to do sound like they might require at least a bachelors degree. College isn't for everyone... but if it helps you differentiate yourself and get to your end goal / career.. it's probably worth it.

Personally I did not thoroughly enjoy all my BS or MS engineering studies... but what they allow me to work on and the job opportunities they've brought to me were worth it. There are people I work with and they're "topped out" in their ability to move up the ladder because the lack the right "pieces of paper" (degrees). It's stupid but true.... May not apply to every industry, but most seem to use education to narrow the scope of whom they're looking at for a potential job.

Good luck

[Comet]

I find it funny how everyone's solution for everything on this board is "join the army"...

[Bimmer84]

Originally Posted by Comet

I find it funny how everyone's solution for everything on this board is "join the army"...

It's not bad advice. He's 21 and bored with his current job. I was in college for Graphic Design, got bored with it, and joined the Army. I've been in 9 years now, have found something I love, and will probably end up doing 20 years... Maybe he will find a new passion... the Army (or any other Military Branch for that matter) has plenty of jobs to choose from.

[michaelthepsycho]

Don't throw your life away in the Army. You can do that on the outside...

[AU335i]

Originally Posted by Bimmer84

It's not bad advice. He's 21 and bored with his current job. I was in college for Graphic Design, got bored with it, and joined the Army. I've been in 9 years now, have found something I love, and will probably end up doing 20 years... Maybe he will find a new passion... the Army (or any other Military Branch for that matter) has plenty of jobs to choose from.

interesting... did you graduate with a degree before you joined or did you just drop college and go straight in... did you take the aptitude test before going in? if so, what job did they give you if you don't mind me asking?

[Brey335i]

You should try college. It's really different than high school and a pretty good start to being successful. Not that it guarantees it...

[Bimmer84]

Originally Posted by AU335i

interesting... did you graduate with a degree before you joined or did you just drop college and go straight in... did you take the aptitude test before going in? if so, what job did they give you if you don't mind me asking?

I did a year and then left.. I just didn't like it anymore. I took the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) and scored a 96/99, so I could basically pick any job that I wanted. I originally wanted to be a radiology specialist, because I thought it would be a good skill after the Army, but the next training class was 6 months out, so I decided to become a Military Police Officer, and got Germany written into my contract as my first duty assignment. Now, fast forward 9 years, and I am still really enjoying my job. I had no initial intentions on how long I was going to stay in, but I have re-enlisted 3 times already, so we will see how it continues in the future...

[CamelBiscuit]

Originally Posted by michaelthepsycho

Don't throw your life away in the Army. You can do that on the outside...

So.......join the air force?

[Bimmer84]

Originally Posted by michaelthepsycho

Don't throw your life away in the Army. You can do that on the outside...

How do you figure he is throwing his life away if he joins the Army?

[Comet]

Originally Posted by Bimmer84

How do you figure he is throwing his life away if he joins the Army?

Cannon Fodder?

[Bimmer84]

Originally Posted by Comet

Cannon Fodder?

That's pretty original.

[Comet]

Originally Posted by Bimmer84

That's pretty original.

what does originality have to do with it? It's true isn't it?

[stylinexpat]

If I was that you and wanted to make a career switch I would become a pilot. Great demand for pilots with great pay. You get to travel and meet new people. Nothing like traveling.

[Comet]

Originally Posted by stylinexpat

If I was that you and wanted to make a career switch I would become a pilot. Great demand for pilots with great pay. You get to travel and meet new people. Nothing like traveling.

nothing could be further from the truth:
http://thetruthabouttheprofession.weebly.com/index.html

[BMWcoupe335ii]

I don't want to join the army or any other armed force. I probably would but when it comes time to sign the contract I would think of how fucked up this country is and say HELL NO. Plus I've me alot of army assholes (NO DISRESPECT TO ANYONE IN THE ARMED FORCES) they would talk about how great it is and all the stuff the had (cars, house), one guy even tried to degrade me by saying I didn't have shit. I was about to fire back at him but I said to myself he needed the governments help to get where he is today and plus I got everything you got plus more by just staying focused and working hard. I think this plays into why I don't want to join the army, I can't have some asshole telling me what to do, when to do it, and how to do it, especially now since I'm a grown ass man, that shit ain't flying. I think I might got to technical school. My brother in law went to a local technical school and now he has a job at Boeing so I might look into something along those lines. Either that or make executive chef lol (I might give executive chef a shot first though)