| If you have ever thought about culinary school or | | | | when you graduate but after a few years and a |
| a culinary degree then you need to know and | | | | few promotions you could be making in excess of |
| remember a few things when it comes to | | | | $75,000. Sounds pretty good for doing what you |
| choosing your program. Most schools offer | | | | love. |
| certificates, associate degrees, and bachelor | | | | If this has convinced you to pursue the degree |
| degrees. Along with that many school offer | | | | then there are three things you must think about |
| certain specialties where you can learn more | | | | when choosing a culinary arts school. |
| about a particular area of interest. All in all every | | | | 1. Geography Means Something! When choosing a |
| school is different; some are small while others | | | | school think about the location. If you want to get |
| are in major metropolitan areas. This creates a | | | | a job in a big city then it helps to go to school |
| problem when trying to choose a program but | | | | there. By the time you get done you may have |
| first of all what are the bonuses of getting the | | | | made some major connections in order to get |
| degree? | | | | the job you want. This is not to say that going |
| 1. Many schools have extremely high job | | | | somewhere outside of NYC makes you unable to |
| placement ratings. These ratings range from 90% | | | | get a job there but it would certainly help. |
| to 98% depending on the school. If you think | | | | 2. Specialties Help! Find out if the schools you are |
| about it, most other colleges do not come close | | | | looking at have specialties. If you want to create |
| to that placement rate. It sure beats a degree in | | | | desserts then you would be better off going to a |
| history! | | | | school with that specialization. If you are unsure |
| 2. You get practical experience. At most | | | | of your interests then go to a school with a lot of |
| university programs you sit in a class and | | | | options. Putting yourself in that position will help |
| philosophize over what means what. Sadly, at the | | | | you in the future. |
| end of the day your thoughts will not be able to | | | | 3. Accreditation! This is very important. There are |
| get your experience. At culinary schools you get | | | | about six associations that accredit school |
| on the job training while doing this type of learning | | | | programs in culinary arts. Make sure that your |
| at the same time. | | | | culinary degree or culinary school is on one of |
| 3. Salaries Only Get Higher. A recent study | | | | these lists. This will ensure that your degree is |
| showed that executive chef salaries are going to | | | | respected by the community of professionals. |
| increase at a higher rate than normal. In all | | | | Good Luck! |
| seriousness you probably will be making $40,000 | | | | |