HELLO :] ... I kind of need help..
HI! i didn't know where to put this up.. so I'll just do it here.. sorry if it's not really allowed ;(
but..WELL>> HI!! im 19 turning 20 next year.. i live in virginia and i came from korea about 10 ~ 11 years ago haha..
well i graduated high school on june 09,, and im going to attend stratford university in virginia close to tysons corner if anyone knows <----
im attending that college for bakery <--- pastry arts !!
:] im so excited to go to college soon.. i know that it's just a tool to help me start with the basics and know-hows of bakery world.
but i have a problem.. im the type of person who thinks way too much and changes their mind wayyy toooooo often..
and im always worrying about the future and if i can make it and all..
i googled everything i can think of.. ( asking about how bakery life is really like )
well of course.. i bet all work is hard but ...
they always talk about how it's a job for people who realllllly love it and not whine anything about it..
i really don't know anything about bread.. all i know is that i've always lived in bakeries as much as i can..
and if im inside smelling all the fresh baked bread and cakes just make me smile without even myself knowing :D
and the very first bread i've ever made was croissant..and it was so delicious
i went around alll the bakeries i've seen and tried each of their croissant .. and if their croissant was awesome then the other bread was too haha
anyways! that's not what im suppose to be talking about right now lol... but but..
i just wanted to ask... is a bakery something you should own?? i am scared that i won't be able to have a good family relationship if i do get married later on.
and i bet all business are hard but.. is it something that people can live off of?? will these things just be based off of what and how i really am? how hard i try?
do you think i can make it??? how do you manage to keep working after only like 2~3 hours of sleep?? how can i survive..
i bet - of course it's not all fun and games but... i just wanted to ask.. WHAT AM I GETTING MYSELF INTO????
I believe you're over thinking the future. Take it one step at a time. Relax and study the material required for your major. You will eventually either accept the rigors of the major you've selected or find an alternative direction that might better suit your interest. It is very common for students entering college to change their major at least once before they graduate.
The time to wonder about what's involved in working in or opening your own bakery is about four years ahead of you.
"The time to wonder about what's involved in working in or opening your own bakery is about four years ahead of you."
Or longer....
After you graduate, you could work as a baker/pastry chef for someone else - consistent wages and hours - while you learn the "ins and outs" of the business.
Perhaps in your journey, you'll meet a mate who shares your obvious passion for baking, and the marriage/family will take care of itself. :)
Good luck, and enjoy your school years!
I don't want to derail everything for you, but have you considered getting a liberal arts degree? It sounds like you have a lot of questions about your future. Like most people your age, all the experience you need to make the best decisions is about 10-30 years away. This is why I frequently advocate getting a degree in English, history, art, science, etc.
Some people, like my cousin (an engineer) and my sister-in-law (a physician) knew exactly what they wanted to be when they graduated from high school. So, they majored in subjects directly related to their passion.
Most people my age, though, had no idea what they wanted to do when they were in college. Their liberal arts education gave them a well-rounded, highly informed perspective on the world. They went on to be diplomats, CEOs, home makers, writers, publishers, artists, musicians, Supreme Court justices, bankers, and (would you believe it) at least one pastry chef (he double majored in biology and theatre arts, as I recall)!
My advice to you is to not limit yourself or lock into a career too early in college. Immerse yourself in the experience, hit the books hard, and take every opportunity that presents itself to you.
Good luck.
Eric
Eric is right. Education is never wasted and the fact that you have a college degree will open doors that might otherwise be closed to you.
But you might think about getting a business degree or an MBA so that if you do stay in baking and decide some day to open your own bakery you will have the business acumen to make it a financial success. Or, if your life takes an entirely different turn, business knowledge is always, always useful!
Too many people follow their passion in opening a business without the slightest idea how to run a business. They are doomed to failure before they even open their doors. A good grounding in business will help you understand what to look for when you apprentice after college and how to make that transition if and when you are ready.
Here's the advice I'll be giving my daughter when she goes off to college in 1 1/2 years (gulp!): Have fun, learn everything you can, and work hard. I can't wait to see what unfolds!
I've just got to endorse this suggestion. A business degree (mine isn't a a masters but it works) is an excellent foundation for just about any career you might choose to pursue. You can always take the technical courses within the food science curriculum during those times when you can't fill your schedule with classes you need for the business degree or to meet an elective requirement in your major. You could also splend time in a private school for baking and pastry arts, most of which offer placement assistance upon graduation, to develop the skills you might need to work with an operating baking company before you venture out on your own.
Also keep in mind that when you decide to start your own business you'll need financing. Without a good business plan and enough experience to convince a bank that you can be successful, you'll have a very difficult time financing your dream.