Should I Go to Culinary School?

Should I Go to Culinary School?

If you’ve ever dreamed of working in a Michelin star restaurant or perfecting the skill of baking and pastry arts, then going to culinary school is a good place to start. These programs are designed to teach prospective chefs things like basic kitchen techniques, kitchen management, and international cuisine. Those interested in applying to culinary school can search online to compare programs and specialties.

Like any post-secondary program, there are positive and negative factors to consider. You can learn about what’s involved with culinary school by searching online.

Here are some pros and cons to consider before going to culinary school.

Pros of Culinary School

You’re Guaranteed to Learn New Skills

Culinary arts is a diverse field. As such, you’ll never stop learning new techniques or skills.

There’s also so many pathways to consider. Some of the culinary majors you can pursue include culinary arts, baking and pastry arts, and professional cooking.

At the very least, you will learn how to cook, how to properly use equipment, and how to make your own recipes. Regardless of whether you decide the culinary world is for you while pursuing or after obtaining your degree, you’ll be left with priceless skills that will last a lifetime.

The Job Can Take You Anywhere

Unlike many jobs, culinary arts is a worldwide industry that can literally take you anywhere. You can take advantage of this by seeking job opportunities in different cities and countries.

Not only will you be working, but you also can travel to new places at the same time. Furthermore, it gives you a chance to diversify your skills by immersing yourself within new cultures.

Tuition Aid May Be Available

Culinary school costs money. Fortunately, there are scholarships, grants, and work-study programs that can help make school more affordable. According to Eater, around 90 percent of Culinary Institute of American students receive some type of financial aid.

You can find out if certain programs offer financial help by searching online. Additionally, there are programs outside of academic institutions that offer scholarships or grants which you can find with some research.

Possible Cons of Culinary School

Tuition Can Be Expensive

Like most academic programs, it costs thousands of dollars to be enrolled in culinary school. Campus Explorer says the typical cost is over $30,000. Eater says some of the best culinary schools in the U.S. can cost as much as $54,000 for an associate’s degree or $109,000 for a bachelor’s degree.

The good news is all schools are different and, therefore, will have varying costs for tuition. Compare tuition costs online and see if there is financial support provided by schools you’re interested in.

The Job Hunt Might Be Difficult

Entering the job market can be difficult post-grad. You’ll likely have to start hunting for entry-level jobs before working your way up in the kitchen.

If you want, you can partake in shorter programs to launch yourself into the job market sooner rather than later. There’s also opportunities to gain real life experience while still in school, such as apprenticeships or work-study programs.

This doesn’t mean it will be impossible to find a job. There are multiple careers in the food industry with a projected growth rate of 11 percent. This includes chefs and head cooks, food service managers, and cooks.

Culinary skills will always be in demand because the food industry is something that will always be around.

Culinary School Is Intense

A professional kitchen is much different than your home kitchen. As fulfilling as culinary school can be for aspiring chefs, it’s also an intense program that requires you to thrive in a fast-paced environment. You’ll have to keep up with the curriculum in order to succeed in future lessons that tackle tougher techniques.

There’s also a chance you could get hurt in the beginning. Professional kitchens are full of hot stoves, sharp tools, and a lot of moving parts. You could end up with some injuries as you learn to navigate everything.

Search Online for Culinary School Programs Online

Culinary school offers plenty of learning opportunities for future chefs, restaurateurs, and beyond. You will learn how to cook with various techniques, all while getting to know the ins and outs of the industry. This combination of skills will set you on the right path to be successful post-grad.

Start an online search to discover the hundreds of culinary school programs out there. Whether you want to study local or travel around the world to pursue a certain cultural cuisine, there are so many choices to consider. Compare various programs, schools, and career paths online to help give you an idea on what specialty to enroll in.