I want to become a chef but my parents think its a bad career. Any advice what I should do?

Parents often do what they think is best, even when they do not really know what is best. If you are living in your parents' home or being supported by your parents going to school, you must either listen to them or move out and take care of yourself. Have you ever talked with a chef about this as a carrear choice? Have you ever investigated the current job market? Have you ever had a job in a restaurant kitchen? Life is complicated, but there is nothing so great as having a job where every day you wake up and think: Wow, they are actually paying me to do this! (because you like it so much you would almost do it for free).

Parents often do what they think is best, even when they do not really know what is best. If you are living in your parents' home or being supported by your parents going to school, you must either listen to them or move out and take care of yourself. Have you ever talked with a chef about this as a carrear choice? Have you ever investigated the current job market? Have you ever had a job in a restaurant kitchen? Life is complicated, but there is nothing so great as having a job where every day you wake up and think: Wow, they are actually paying me to do this! (because you like it so much you would almost do it for free).

I was in the same dilema once. I too wanted to be a chef - but my parents were against it. I went on to become a chartered accountant. But really even now I dont feel satisfied with my job. I still have the urge to throw away all this and become a chef. My dear, if you are really interested in any particular career - go for it - there is nothing like a bad career. It all depends on your interest for any particular career. The pay depends on your expertise - check this out http://www.alis.gov.ab.ca/occinfo/Content/RequestAction.asp?aspAction=GetHTMLProfile&format=html&OCCPRO_ID=71002102 You can either go for some boring job and repent for the rest of your life or chose what u like - but make sure you make your parents proud one day!

I won't advice you for or against a culinary career, but I think it's easy for you to try it out first and see if you like it. I wanted to become a Chef in my 2nd year of college. I took a semester of food preparation and catering, waking up at 5:30am and being in the kitchen, cooking, by 6:15am. The class ended at 12:30pm, after we cleaned up the kitchen. Then at 7pm in the evening, I took catering classes that went until 9:30pm. I think it's worth spending a semester working in a kitchen by taking a class, if you haven't done so. I wanted to be a Chef too because I was really good preparing and inventing dishes, but the schedule, working through holidays, and other factors didn't fit what I wanted in life. I went on to get a business degree and now I'm working on user interface design, a field that I like very much but won't do for life. I discovered that my fondness for food and cooking is a hobby, and I liked entertaining rather than working in a kitchen, sometime preparing the same dishes again and again. As for your parents, it's natural for parents to want their kids to be doctors, some famous musician, lawyers, or other jobs that "society" label as "stable". My parents didn't want me to work in a kitchen either (even though my family relatives are restaurant owners). But I think you should discover that for yourself and tell them that this is only a small step in your looooooooong work career which will help you realize what you really want to do. Many people don't end up doing what they studied... and they have turned out just fine. Don't be discouraged by their advice. Thank them for looking out for your future, but give them confidence that your decision is the best for you. :)

I'd say go for it. You only live once. Realize that it will be incredibly difficult though. Your parents want what is best for you because they know that it will be hard they want something easier for you. It may work out well in which case you will be happy. It may crash and burn in which case when you go back to college you will have the focus to pay attention and do what you have to do. I would recommend finishing the current year of college however. Complete years will make it easier to come back if you need to. Also beware if you have any student loans you would need to pay off by quitting. You don't want those to bite you in the butt.

I won't advice you for or against a culinary career, but I think it's easy for you to try it out first and see if you like it. I wanted to become a Chef in my 2nd year of college. I took a semester of food preparation and catering, waking up at 5:30am and being in the kitchen, cooking, by 6:15am. The class ended at 12:30pm, after we cleaned up the kitchen. Then at 7pm in the evening, I took catering classes that went until 9:30pm. I think it's worth spending a semester working in a kitchen by taking a class, if you haven't done so. I wanted to be a Chef too because I was really good preparing and inventing dishes, but the schedule, working through holidays, and other factors didn't fit what I wanted in life. I went on to get a business degree and now I'm working on user interface design, a field that I like very much but won't do for life. I discovered that my fondness for food and cooking is a hobby, and I liked entertaining rather than working in a kitchen, sometime preparing the same dishes again and again. As for your parents, it's natural for parents to want their kids to be doctors, some famous musician, lawyers, or other jobs that "society" label as "stable". My parents didn't want me to work in a kitchen either (even though my family relatives are restaurant owners). But I think you should discover that for yourself and tell them that this is only a small step in your looooooooong work career which will help you realize what you really want to do. Many people don't end up doing what they studied... and they have turned out just fine. Don't be discouraged by their advice. Thank them for looking out for your future, but give them confidence that your decision is the best for you. :)

I'd say go for it. You only live once. Realize that it will be incredibly difficult though. Your parents want what is best for you because they know that it will be hard they want something easier for you. It may work out well in which case you will be happy. It may crash and burn in which case when you go back to college you will have the focus to pay attention and do what you have to do. I would recommend finishing the current year of college however. Complete years will make it easier to come back if you need to. Also beware if you have any student loans you would need to pay off by quitting. You don't want those to bite you in the butt.