Career Changes Support Group
This community is dedicated to the difficult challenges of transitioning from one career or job to a new one. Especially as we grow older, it can be very difficult to acquire the skills and relationships and take the financial risk to make the switch.
a little bit of my "history": I was a board passer nurse and I couldn't work for more than 5 years due to depression and bipolar & anxiety issues. Now i feel like i want to study culinary to become a chef in a ship cruise. I feel like I want to do so many things. Last night i wasn't able to sleep because my mind is very active. I think I am being manic. Is this what I really want or Am i just being manic? I love to learn about cooking different dishes, i love learning new things too. And I heard that chefs especially those who are on a cruise or abroad are earning well.There are many things now that re running on my mind. Can i will be able to survive culinary school? I have anxiety and lack of focus when I am exposed to a new environment. I worry that I may not be able to keep up with the pace in the kitchen. My plan is this: I have to attend a baking workshop on tuesday to know if I can work independently and with ease. I f I can survive it ( if i dont panic and not worry). one day ago, i went to my college school to inquire about their international associate degree in culinary arts, (this is 2 years) . The price was pretty high. So now I just sent an email to another culinary school to inquire about the schedule, time etc. I dont want to waste time ( i am 29 years old with no job experience) and money. I am lucky because my parents are supporting me financially but my dad told me not to work on a ship cruise. They are afraid that what if i Panic or be depressed while on cruise. And he said that it is stressful and difficult. Sigh. All these year I am inside the shell, being afraid of failure and stretching outside my comfort zone. Sad. I want to spread my wings and grow. See the world and live my passion.
The price per sem in the first school (there are 4 sems which is 2 years all in all) is 75,000 pesos. Divide it into 44 and ul get the price in dollars. So it is 75,000 x 4= 303 k pesos ++ for 2 years. They want you to pay whole. ( 75,000) I love the idea that i will not pay the whole tuition for 2 years. The other school, which is a international school would want you to pay 25,000 pesos every 15 days for 14 months.(360,000 pesos) Its more expensive but we are thinking (my mom and I) if i cant handle the stress i would discontinue it and not pay for the payment and so on. I need to inquire about this. By the way the international school that I am talking about would grant you a diploma. The first school they would provide you certificate after you finish the 2 years. I think its fun having field trips ( on the first school i told you about)
I am praying that I am choosing the right direction for my life. On the other hand I am thinking that If i could survive this, and will work away, how about my parents. how would I take care of them? I am an only child and who will take care of our house? What if my parents get sick? I want the money saved will be available for my parents when they retire. I dont want them to not spend money for me. For my medications, etc.
im praying.
thank you for taking time reading this. got no one to talk to.
thanks
The price per sem in the first school (there are 4 sems which is 2 years all in all) is 75,000 pesos. Divide it into 44 and ul get the price in dollars. So it is 75,000 x 4= 303 k pesos ++ for 2 years. They want you to pay whole. ( 75,000) I love the idea that i will not pay the whole tuition for 2 years. The other school, which is a international school would want you to pay 25,000 pesos every 15 days for 14 months.(360,000 pesos) Its more expensive but we are thinking (my mom and I) if i cant handle the stress i would discontinue it and not pay for the payment and so on. I need to inquire about this. By the way the international school that I am talking about would grant you a diploma. The first school they would provide you certificate after you finish the 2 years. I think its fun having field trips ( on the first school i told you about)
I am praying that I am choosing the right direction for my life. On the other hand I am thinking that If i could survive this, and will work away, how about my parents. how would I take care of them? I am an only child and who will take care of our house? What if my parents get sick? I want the money saved will be available for my parents when they retire. I dont want them to not spend money for me. For my medications, etc.
im praying.
thank you for taking time reading this. got no one to talk to.
thanks
A little about me. I'm 57 with a BA degree in IT and an AAS degree in electronics. I also recently attended nursing school, but the pressure of it all was just too much for me so I dropped out and am now in sales. I'm also an only child so I understand the whole responsibility to your parents. Its why I still live here instead of my dream of some exotic locale.
Back to you. If it's possible I would see if I could do some sort of free internship on a cruise ship. See if you like it. The money you'll spend in culinary school is a lot and does not guarantee you a position on a cruise ship. Indeed, I imagine many people have the same dream so the competition may be rough. I would go to the school and talk to people who are in the program. See if any have heard of someone who has graduated and achieved their dream of working on a cruise ship. You may find that many are working in fast food restaurants, making pennies and trying to figure out how they're going to pay their college loans back.
See if you can find graduates of the program. This may be achieved by some quick internet searches. I once did this for a degree I considered exploring, only to find many graduates who could not find jobs. It saved me lots of money.
As for the stress problems you're having. Do you have a doctor you can discuss this with? Be up front with him or her if you do. Ask if this is a good or bad idea. I recently saw a documentary on working on a cruise ship and they said it is stressful with a sort of click mentality. It's not like that old TV series the Love Boat. Also, consider if you really want a career on a ship. Is it possible you may want to settle down with a husband and children?
As for your parents, I'm assuming they are about my age. If this is so, we are a hardy group who expect to live 30 more years. I have a step-daughter and can tell you I'm no way near needing her help. I work, am active and looking to the future just like the people thirty years younger. My dad is 86 and just retired three years ago. He lives by himself. Mom passed away. Thing is we 50-somethings are not like previous generations, sitting at home, waiting to move in with our kids. So take a look at your parents current health and live your life. You may find that you're retired by the time your parents need you.
Good luck.
My Mum developed Parkinson's Disease in 2003; she died in 2008; and my life had been put on hold at the age of 24. (I graduated in IT in 2001) When I did find a Job, it was in the civil service and I was a complete mess, both physically and spiritually. I hated life and those around me. (burying my pain in false cheerfulness)
Now, after so much pain over the past 10 Years, I have rebuilt my life. My younger Brother, who left School at 16 with no formal qualifications, has since passed English and Maths at GCSE and is now in College studying IT. (after spending two Years doing horticulture) He is set to do the Theory Test next Tuesday, a requirement in the UK in order to apply for the Driving Test, and once he is legally able to drive I will finally experience freedom.
Life begins when we get out of our comfort zone.
I cant imagine having my own family. I guess at 29 yo, im still finding what I want in life.
Currently I am not seeing any doctor for this. Maybe I need to go to one.
Desigol1979---- I agree with what u just said. Growing up happens when there is discomfort and pain. I hope i can cope.