considering different career path. AW -- NBR

sfeebs13 · November 2013

So, I graduated from high school already duel-enrolled in college classes. After this I went to EMT school, and got a job as an EMT in an ER. I LOVED IT. Both my mom and dad are in medicine and I've always found it so intriguing and interesting. I love to know why things happen with our bodies, and I have a very big heart so helping people has always been my thing. The human body is so fascinating to me. I've also recently developed a new taste and a new strong interest in culinary arts. I am extremely creative. But have self Esteem issues but cooking is something I can feel great about using my creativity but no one knows whose behind it all. I don't know anything other than medicine.... Should I make the switch? ETA i am also a certified firefighter, but the firehouse is not a place for someone as sensitive as me. I dropped the FD and just stuck wth the ER instead of both.

kwrecks · November 2013

I went to culinary school, and let me tell you...its tough. The big thing that my teachers always told the students is that if you are going to culinary school because cooking is a hobby, then you don't belong in culinary school. If cooking is your passion, then you're in the right place. It was fun, just a lot of hard work (as I'm sure going to school to be an EMT is!).

rh10264706 · November 2013

No. If you love helping people and being an EMT I would stick with that and do cooking on the side. I think it would be difficult to make a career change like that with a new baby. Also, if you become a chef you will work all sorts of crazy hours. Although I imagine you might already do that being an emt.

Just my thoughts, of course you are the only one who knows whether a career change is right for you!

LEMSA · November 2013

Working in an ER myself, I understand the pull towards medicine and helping others. Constantly learning.

But I also understand the burnout. The unappreciative patients. The long hours. It's hard.

Maybe try taking cooking classes as you can to see if it's really your passion. Host dinner parties. Offer to cook for friends to try out new dishes. If you still love it--then switch.

Maybe you can have your own catering company. Or a small custom cake business.

Whatever you choose be sure you love it.

Sascha3 · November 2013

I sent my older daughter to culinary school straight out of high school. It was a huge mistake. I spent $38,000 and she never used it. She went to work in a kitchen and realized that she hated the restaurant business. I met my husband after she had graduated and he is actually in the restaurant business and has worked with Michelin starred and celebrity chefs. We have tons and tons of chef friends...some did go to school and some were actually self taught. What they all say however, is that you need to work in a restaurant to see if you really enjoy it. Cooking at home and being in the restaurant biz is very different. If only I had her go work in a kitchen as a line cook first I could have saved a lot of money. Besides, that is where you will start anyways...as a line cook or intro level, making $10-15 an hour. The only ones that make really good money are the executive chefs and it takes them years to get to that level and we are in a tourist town full of top restaurants. There is also catering and private chefs, but it is also tough to succeed in that field. It's very competitive.

Sascha3 · November 2013

I should also add that cooking is tough on self esteem. You may make the most amazing meal and there will be some customer that hates a particular ingredient you used, or has a laundry list of "food allergies" that are really aren't even allergies, or likes their meat well done when everyone knows that takes all the juiciness and flavor out of a steak. Everyone has different tastes. And kitchens are full of lots and lots of yelling. My daughter is very sensitive and that is one of the reasons she didn't fare well in a kitchen.

If you love it, just go work in a kitchen before you invest in school. Maybe you will thrive and it will be amazing, but you may find it isn't what you expected.

carrotcake06 · November 2013

I switched careers a little over 5 yrs ago. H and I both did - we quit our jobs, sold our house, and moved 1,000+ miles to go to grad school FT (we pursued different degrees at different schools). It was the best decision I've ever made. I loved school and I love my job.

That being said, I agree w the PPs who suggested getting some practical experience in the field before committing to a career change. My previous career was in teaching, so I used my summers to volunteer in my current field to make sure I really liked it. I did, so I pursued grad school. The rest is history.

sfeebs13 · November 2013

FUCK!!!!

I had this very heartfelt thing typed out and my dumbass just deleted the whole thing.

Helping people has always been my passion..... medicine has always interested me so much, and my father being a doctor and mom being a nurse that's been all I've ever known. I'm afraid to go into something and not have a clue.

My family says go for it.... very supportive. They say they will help me open my own resteraunt one day... but I feel almost like because FI comes from a different kind of family, he's worried if I continue with my medical career, he will be jealous.

I'm going to make another post about all of this because I do need some advice... but as far as the cooking thing goes... I'm afraid that I will realize cooking at home and going to culiary school are two different ball games.... I will be so afraid that what I cooked wasn't the absolute best...

Like I said, self-esteem issuees.

eta sorry about spelling mistakes... LO was fussing no time to go back and edit.

Sascha3 · November 2013

I hope I wasn't too discouraging. You may thrive. I just wanted to give you another viewpoint. Just try it out before you invest. LEMSA had great ideas about catering parties, etc.

sfeebs13 · November 2013

carrotcake06 said:

I switched careers a little over 5 yrs ago. H and I both did - we quit our jobs, sold our house, and moved 1,000+ miles to go to grad school FT (we pursued different degrees at different schools). It was the best decision I've ever made. I loved school and I love my job. That being said, I agree w the PPs who suggested getting some practical experience in the field before committing to a career change. My previous career was in teaching, so I used my summers to volunteer in my current field to make sure I really liked it. I did, so I pursued grad school. The rest is history.

I feel like now that LO is here i don't have time to test things out. I'm a libra so I'm constantly worried about making the wrong decision and this is huge....

mommabmb · November 2013

If you're burned out, could you just use your medical knowledge in another way? Maybe try another medical position- like billing? Or administrative? Maybe a dispatcher? Obviously you like the medical field... Maybe another option exists?

carrotcake06 · November 2013

sfeebs13 said:

carrotcake06 said:

I switched careers a little over 5 yrs ago. H and I both did - we quit our jobs, sold our house, and moved 1,000+ miles to go to grad school FT (we pursued different degrees at different schools). It was the best decision I've ever made. I loved school and I love my job.

That being said, I agree w the PPs who suggested getting some practical experience in the field before committing to a career change. My previous career was in teaching, so I used my summers to volunteer in my current field to make sure I really liked it. I did, so I pursued grad school. The rest is history.

I feel like now that LO is here i don't have time to test things out. I'm a libra so I'm constantly worried about making the wrong decision and this is huge....

I agonize, too. It takes me forever to make a decision and then I have to sit on my decision for a bit to make sure "it feels right".

That being said, I prob wouldn't do anything drastic right now. You just had a baby and with that brings enough change as it is. Sit with your options for a while and as your LO gets bigger, re-evaluate how you feel. I had my oldest right as H and I graduated from grad school and moved across a few states once again, and all that change was ridiculously hard.

It'll get easier to do things - take classes or something - as LO gets bigger. At least that was my experience.

sfeebs13 · November 2013

Sascha3 said:

I hope I wasn't too discouraging. You may thrive. I just wanted to give you another viewpoint. Just try it out before you invest. LEMSA had great ideas about catering parties, etc.

@Sascha3 ---- not discouraging. I just feel very torn. my biggest concern is my inability for confrontation almost "scares" me. I loveeee loveee loveeee a challenge and I think I could do very well, but I feel already like I should continue with what I know, and what I feel is my "passion", and that's saving lives and how the human body works....

I'm tired of others influencing my decisions. For once I want to make a decision for me, I just don't want to make the wrong one and regret it later. LADIES____ you DO. NOT. understand how afraid I am to mke the wrong decision. I feel like all my life I've been steered in a certain kind of direction and I don't even know what I like/want/enjoy anymore.

Sorry for the ramble. I've hd a lot on my mind lately.

Coconuthead · November 2013

Sascha3 said:
I sent my older daughter to culinary school straight out of high school. It was a huge mistake. I spent $38,000 and she never used it. She went to work in a kitchen and realizedMo that she hated the restaurant business. I met my husband after she had graduated and he is actually in the restaurant business and has worked with Michelin starred and celebrity chefs. We have tons and tons of chef friends...some did go to school and some were actually self taught. What they all say however, is that you need to work in a restaurant to see if you really enjoy it. Cooking at home and being in the restaurant biz is very different. If only I had her go work in a kitchen as a line cook first I could have saved a lot of money. Besides, that is where you will start anyways...as a line cook or intro level, making $10-15 an hour. The only ones that make really good money are the executive chefs and it takes them years to get to that level and we are in a tourist town full of top restaurants. There is also catering and private chefs, but it is also tough to succeed in that field. It's very competitive.

I agree 100%. If you've never worked in a kitchen before I highly suggest doing so before you do Culinary School. Three of my siblings are chefs/becoming chefs; two of them still in the business. My oldest sister quit because while she loved it she earns more money for far less hours in her new career path. She started out as a regular cook and eventually went on to eventually went to kitchen manager positions. My older brother started out a dishwasher and over the course of ten years was promoted up and is currently kitchen manager of that same restaurant. One of my younger brothers attended a charter high school specializing in the arts, he did Culinary Arts and part of the requirement was spending one semester interning at a restaurant. Since he's graduated he's spent the last 2 years as a line cook and will be attending culinary school in the fall of 2014.

Those who love it really love it but it isn't for everyone.

LEMSA · November 2013

What about being a dietitian? You can help people make healthy decisions. Plus you can come up with your own recepies to give them.

Start a food blog. Focus on meals that are balanced, ones that follow the food pyramid. You can flex your culinary muscles from the privacy of your own kitchen while encouraging healthy eating habits.

Medicine and food go hand in hand. You can combine both easily.

kanned0121 · November 2013

Sounds like you've mastered what you've put your mind to! I say do it!!

I have wayyy bad self esteem issues. I'm a licensed cosmetologist but feel I suck at it so I don't do anything with it. And I'm too scared to decide a career path because I'm absolutely positive I'm not good enough. Not looking for sympathy or anything.. But I know how hard it can be. But if you love it, give it a shot!!

shootthemoon · November 2013

I took the path of trying to change careers by working in a restaurant kitchen instead of going to culinary school. I echo what a lot of PP have said: the pay sucks and the hours/lifestyle are not family-friendly. I've heard many celeb chefs interviewed saying there aren't a lot of top female chefs because you really have to choose between career and kids. So unless you feel strongly that you are willing to sacrifice lots of time with LO and have a supportive partner who's available and willing to balance that out, I would advise against it. Don't mean to be harsh, I just would hate to see anyone make a choice like this without being aware of the reality.

Mom2bois85 · November 2013

I like what pp said about medical billing, I know a lot of SAHM friends that do that, enjoy it, and make great $

MommyBolty · November 2013

I'm always team do what makes you happy. If your family is in a financially stable place where you can experiment... I'd say go for it. But I'd also like to add this after reading your other posts...why not see a therapist to discuss your desires and your fears. One of your posts made me think that you have a strong sense of urgency to just make a decision did yourself. A therapist can help you pinpoint if that's the reason for wanting a career shift, or if this is truly a passion that you are 100% ready for.

Good luck!

sfeebs13 · November 2013

Thank you all so much ladies. I think after a long night thinking about it.. and writing out my feelings, I'm not realizing I honestly don't think I could handle it. I am strong and very competitive but with all that I am ridiculously sensitive. Thats why I didn't survive in the Fire Dept after I completed school and in medic school.

Medicine is the place where I feel I belong the most, so I'm going to go with my heart and try not to let others influence me.

My FI tells me there's no future in RN or Respiratory Therapy. He says he's never even heard of that job... but "how many famous chefs have you heard of..?" WTF world does he live in.

And no... I'm not willing to spend time like that away from LO. Thank you @shootthemoon that was a very good point.

@LEMSA thank you and everyone else for your excellent suggestions. Really made me think...

LokiLahve · November 2013

In reading your posts here it almost seems like your FI is the one who wants you to go to the culinary world, not necessarily what you want.(?)

From my experience, i would advise sticking to what you are truly passionate about. You may love cooking as a hobby, but if your true passion is in helping people/medicine then I would think you'll thrive and be happier working in that field.

Also...as long as there are people on the earth there will be a future in medical related jobs. They may not be glorified with tv shows like celebrity chefs, but I guarantee you there are more unknown RN's than there are well known chefs. Your FI needs to support you, I would be having some serious discussions with him on that need. I also agree that a therapist could help tremendously. I went to one a few years ago and she really helped me change the way I think about things for the better.

coraggiosa · November 2013

sfeebs13 said:

Thank you all so much ladies. I think after a long night thinking about it.. and writing out my feelings, I'm not realizing I honestly don't think I could handle it. I am strong and very competitive but with all that I am ridiculously sensitive. Thats why I didn't survive in the Fire Dept after I completed school and in medic school.
Medicine is the place where I feel I belong the most, so I'm going to go with my heart and try not to let others influence me.
My FI tells me there's no future in RN or Respiratory Therapy. He says he's never even heard of that job... but "how many famous chefs have you heard of..?" WTF world does he live in.

And no... I'm not willing to spend time like that away from LO. Thank you @shootthemoon that was a very good point.
@LEMSA thank you and everyone else for your excellent suggestions. Really made me think...

Your fiance thinks there isn't any future for RNs or other medical professionals? What world is he living in? Every single projection for those jobs sees a huge increase in demand over the next few decades.

In any case, I'm glad you feel like you came to a decision. However, it might be worth it to explore your worries about decision making with a therapist. It might help you quite a bit, but I'm always an advocate for therapy.

LEMSA · November 2013

No future in RN or RT?! Wrong. Hella wrong. It's up to you your future. I loved being an RN in the ER. So much so I went back to grad school. Now I'm a PA in the ER. You make great money, good benefits, and can work anywhere in the medical field as an RN. Plus there's management and non clinical jobs as well. If your a paramedic, there's a bridge program that is like 6 months. As an EMT I don't think there's a bridge.

shootthemoon · November 2013

Just remembered this article I saw a couple days ago that may help. https://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/1939356

LJUTCMommy · November 2013

Honestly, DH is an executive chef so I'm biased when I say, not just No, hell no!

It is insane the amount of hours he spends in the kitchen, he literally worked 20 hours yesterday. He only occasionally gets a day "off" and that is spent ordering products, calling employees, and writing emails from home. It's a 24/7 job.

It's so intense and so much pressure. And all of his employees have delicate egos that need to be massaged daily.

And the fresh out of culinary school kids make less than entry level retail workers.

I say stick with medicine.

ETA: He never went to culinary school. He trained by working in cafés and with catering companies. IMO, CS is a waste of $. So happy only one of us has student loans.

sfeebs13 · November 2013

LEMSA said:
No future in RN or RT?! Wrong. Hella wrong. It's up to you your future. I loved being an RN in the ER. So much so I went back to grad school. Now I'm a PA in the ER. You make great money, good benefits, and can work anywhere in the medical field as an RN. Plus there's management and non clinical jobs as well. If your a paramedic, there's a bridge program that is like 6 months. As an EMT I don't think there's a bridge.

My plan is to do ARNP after nursing. Unless I decide to do RT.
I didn't finish the medic program so I can't do the bridge. ;o(

2Chefs · November 2013

LJUTCMommy said:

Honestly, DH is an executive chef so I'm biased when I say, not just No, hell no! It is insane the amount of hours he spends in the kitchen, he literally worked 20 hours yesterday. He only occasionally gets a day "off" and that is spent ordering products, calling employees, and writing emails from home. It's a 24/7 job. It's so intense and so much pressure. And all of his employees have delicate egos that need to be massaged daily. And the fresh out of culinary school kids make less than entry level retail workers. I say stick with medicine. ETA: He never went to culinary school. He trained by working in cafés and with catering companies. IMO, CS is a waste of $. So happy only one of us has student loans.

Mega dittos. My hubs is an Exec Chef and I'm a (former) Exec Pastry Chef. F and B is the WORST, WORST field for families. And if you go to Culinary school, don't be fooled like so many others into thinking you're going to walk into an Exec job because you have a pedigree. Honestly, you'll probably start as a low level line cook making salads, making $12-18 an hour-- and be saddled with $700/mo. student loan payments. It's a brutal field.

I'm not harshing Culinary School entirely. My DH and I both went and LOVED our time there. It's just that the realities of the industry: low pay, long late hours, no set days off, extreme competition-- make it one of the most un-family friendly business' you can imagine. Try finding childcare on weekends, nights, and holidays...stick with medicine for sure!

Sascha3 · November 2013

After reading your response, I would definitely say to stay in the medical field, especially because you have a passion for it. Your FI is ridiculous! Become a chef if you have a passion for it, and you are willing to work 14 hour days to fulfill that passion... NOT to get famous!!! Your chances of getting famous are about as slim as your chances of becoming a famous actress. He is definitely living on a different planet.

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