I'd appreciate some input on my choices in chef school.

[Guest Julius Quasar]

Hey, guys, it's Julius here, and I got a bit of a dilemma.  I was wondering if you guys could help me out by offering your input, I'd appreciate it.

I'm at chef's school, as you may or may not already know, but I was wondering what I route I should take the best...

There's a Diploma Program, which is VERY straight and to the point, VERY hands on, and very simple (and much cheaper, approx. $28,000).  It lasts 9 months.

There's the Associate of Occupational Studies Program, which gives you an accredited college degree, it has all the stuff the diploma program has, and much more...it lasts 15 to 21 months, originally I was supposed to be in a 15 month program, but they decided to bump me to a 21 month program...either way it still costs the same (very expensive, almost $49,000), and there are more and hard[er] classes for me to take.  I'm currently taking this one.

Now, as a chef, I wanna be a concierge chef, buying my clients' groceries, coming into their homes, and cooking nutritious, healthy, good tasting meals for them at a VERY reasonable price.  I wanna be self employed, with my own incorporated limited liability company business.  A traveling chef.  I'd have limited overhead, since I'm cooking in my client's private home kitchen, I can set my own hours, and that's what I want to do best with my skills.

Now, I'm on a special financial aide grant offered by the school itself.  It's rarely offered, but with my good credit rating, they let me take this grant, which is a good financial aide for me.

Classes themselves seem much harder than I thought, but I WON'T QUIT, no matter what.

But my main question is:

Should I stick with the Associate of Occupational Studies 21 month program which is more expensive, but more comprehensive, and will give me an A.O.S. Degree, or just take the 9 month Basic Diploma courses, and finish sooner, at a cheaper cost, and easier progress?

I'm gonna decide in 3 to 6 weeks which is better, depending on my Grade Point Average, and how stressed out I am then as compared to how stressed out I am now.  Currently, I'm having nightmares, I'm shaky, and feeling really sick, physically, and mentally.  Fortunately the school is VERY accommodating in helping me with a lot of things like education paths, extern-ship (job shadowing), and even job finding.

Thanks. 

[Redeemer]

Hm, personally, I think you should stick with the cheaper, quicker course. I don't know about over the pond, but here a degree doesn't mean much. The number of people here with a degree that can't find jobs... It's shocking. I think you'd be better with the first option, and when you get a job you can train up and maybe even start something on your own.

Either way, I'm sure you'll make the right choice. :)

[Guest Julius Quasar]

Hm, personally, I think you should stick with the cheaper, quicker course. I don't know about over the pond, but here a degree doesn't mean much. The number of people here with a degree that can't find jobs... It's shocking. I think you'd be better with the first option, and when you get a job you can train up and maybe even start something on your own.

Either way, I'm sure you'll make the right choice.

Thanks, Redeemer.  I'm currently worried sick. My parents want me to stay in the A.O.S. program, they expect a lot out of me, and I'm afraid if I fail I'll never hear the end of it.  I know I'd never fail the 9 month basic diploma program, but I'm afraid to take the 21 month because it's so expensive, and so damn complicated and long...

I don't want to work in a large restaurant or resort, I'm just as happy to be either self employed or to work in a small cafe, even if for someone else.

[Redeemer]

Considering your worries, then I'd say the answer is right in front of you: stick with what you're comfortable with. That's what's most important. Otherwise, the other course could be a waste of time and money. Do this for yourself, not your parents. And anyway, if you ever want to expand on your qualification, you can always go back and do a top-up course. :)

[Guest Julius Quasar]

Considering your worries, then I'd say the answer is right in front of you: stick with what you're comfortable with. That's what's most important. Otherwise, the other course could be a waste of time and money. Do this for yourself, not your parents. And anyway, if you ever want to expand on your qualification, you can always go back and do a top-up course.

True, true!

Also, I'm not the most..."patient" person.  I can stay with something, if it's small/manageable. 9 months vs. 21 months, $28,000 vs. $49,000...maybe it's better to take the shorter route.

...and you're right, if I want to expand my credentials, I can go back.

Thanks! 

[Redeemer]

True, true!

Also, I'm not the most..."patient" person.  I can stay with something, if it's small/manageable.

...and you're right, if I want to expand my credentials, I can go back.

Thanks! 

You're very welcome Julius, any time. :3  :friends:

[Fluxy]

Here's my input. If that is what you want to do, the 9-month course should be all good. That said, if that for some reason doesn't work out, and can't pay the bills, the 21 month would makew you more suitable in many other places/areas.

I personally don't know which to say, but I hope that helps somewhat in the decision making.

[Guest Julius Quasar]

Here's my input. If that is what you want to do, the 9-month course should be all good. That said, if that for some reason doesn't work out, and can't pay the bills, the 21 month would makew you more suitable in many other places/areas.

I personally don't know which to say, but I hope that helps somewhat in the decision making.

True, true...in 3 to 6 weeks, If I'm failing or having too much trouble with the "Academic/A.O.S." classes, I'll drop them when I transfer to the 9 month Diploma Course.

OR, if I'm feeling just as stressed out and upset 3 to 6 weeks later, as I am now, I'll transfer to the 9 month course and finish that.  I want to finish though.  To be honest, I believe the culinary world is about talent, and good attitude.  If you're upset and stressed out, what's the point?  Also, I'd rather get a better learning experience and become better at the job in 9 months, then to finish in 21 months, tired, frazzled, and barely able to do the job right.

[Fluxy]

True, true...in 3 to 6 weeks, If I'm failing or having too much trouble with the "Academic/A.O.S." classes, I'll drop them when I transfer to the 9 month Diploma Course.

OR, if I'm feeling just as stressed out and upset 3 to 6 weeks later, as I am now, I'll transfer to the 9 month course and finish that.  I want to finish though.  To be honest, I believe the culinary world is about talent, and good attitude.  If you're upset and stressed out, what's the point?  Also, I'd rather get a better learning experience and become better at the job in 9 months, then to finish in 21 months, tired, frazzled, and barely able to do the job right.

That is also a great point to look at. Either way, you still have a bit of time before the bridge comes. It will turn out perfectly. :)

[Guest Julius Quasar]

That is also a great point to look at. Either way, you still have a bit of time before the bridge comes. It will turn out perfectly.

Thanks.  Yeah.  I know me pretty well, and although I like this, I know I can't stick too long when it comes to education.  A job, yes, but education, not really.  I can do a year maximum, but not 2.

I will finish this, though I joined because I wanted to learn the fundamentals of being a chef, and I can learn that just as well in a basic Diploma course as I can in an A.O.S. Degree course.

If my grades are at a C or B average, then I'm gonna switch to the 9 month program.  But if I'm doing, like, exceptionally well, then I'll stay the longer course.

[Guest Julius Quasar]

*Update*

I've dropped out of chef's school.

...fortunately it won't cost me a dime tuition wise, since it's only the first week. 

I couldn't handle the pressure, or my stupid jackass classmates, or my nimrod teachers. 

Plus, the pressure got to me....I was having nightmares, throwing up, and I decided it wasn't worth it.

[Redeemer]

Yeah, my classes had morons in them too... Sucks you dropped out, but don't look back. It's not the end of the world. I tip my hat to you for even going in the first place - that's usually what scares people the most. *hugs*

[CrypticQuery]

Don't worry about it Julius, if it just isn't worth it, it's not worth it! .  *Group hugs in combination with Redeemer* :friends:

[Fluxy]

*Update*

I've dropped out of chef's school.

...fortunately it won't cost me a dime tuition wise, since it's only the first week. 

I couldn't handle the pressure, or my stupid jackass classmates, or my nimrod teachers. 

Plus, the pressure got to me....I was having nightmares, throwing up, and I decided it wasn't worth it.

Understandable. Mental health plays a big part in it, and I see why you did it. Try not to (If you are that is) to worry about it too much. Some stress and pressure is a good thing, but too much can lead to very bad out comes in many ways. I respect your decision. :)

[Redeemer]

Understandable. Mental health plays a big part in it

I'll second that, I can totally relate. Nothing to be ashamed of though. :)

[DZComposer]

What do you want to do?

If you want to own your own business, get the degree. I would assume there are business classes in that degree program. Going on for a BBA later wouldn't hurt, either.

If you plan on working for others for the rest of your life, then the culinary skills will be all you need.

[Guest Julius Quasar]

What do you want to do?

If you want to own your own business, get the degree. I would assume there are business classes in that degree program. Going on for a BBA later wouldn't hurt, either.

If you plan on working for others for the rest of your life, then the culinary skills will be all you need.

Thanks dude, but as I said before:

*Update*

I've dropped out of chef's school.

...fortunately it won't cost me a dime tuition wise, since it's only the first week. 

I couldn't handle the pressure, or my stupid jackass classmates, or my nimrod teachers. 

Plus, the pressure got to me....I was having nightmares, throwing up, and I decided it wasn't worth it.

And to the rest of you guys:

Yeah, my classes had morons in them too... Sucks you dropped out, but don't look back. It's not the end of the world. I tip my hat to you for even going in the first place - that's usually what scares people the most. *hugs*

Don't worry about it Julius, if it just isn't worth it, it's not worth it! .  *Group hugs in combination with Redeemer*

Understandable. Mental health plays a big part in it, and I see why you did it. Try not to (If you are that is) to worry about it too much. Some stress and pressure is a good thing, but too much can lead to very bad out comes in many ways. I respect your decision.

I'll second that, I can totally relate. Nothing to be ashamed of though.

Thanks you guys!  and thank you too, DZ.

[DZComposer]

Don't throw your future away, though. Maybe that particular program isn't for you, but still look around for something. Maybe even something in a different field. If you don't like the classroom environment, many schools have distance learning programs, though unlikely in culinary arts.

I'm pretty sure you don't want your career to consist of being the shift manager at Burger King.

[Guest Julius Quasar]

Don't throw your future away, though. Maybe that particular program isn't for you, but still look around for something. Maybe even something in a different field. If you don't like the classroom environment, many schools have distance learning programs, though unlikely in culinary arts.

I'm pretty sure you don't want your career to consist of being the shift manager at Burger King.

I'm still figuring out what to do with my life. 

Being dumb, untalented, unskilled, unteachable, and just plain useless as a bucket of warm spit makes it hard to find my path in life.

But thanks, yeah. 

Burger King and jobs like that you mentioned are all taken by tin-horn illegal immigrants here in Cali anyways, so I can't wind up as a fry cook or shift manager at BK or McD's.  (Off topic, but for the record, I don't hate minorities or illegal immigrants, but I do hate the people who hire/exploit them)