Thinking about going to college

pinkcrafter

At the moment I'm working part time as a cleaner and earning about £70 a week. My husband also works part-time (no full time shifts at his work right now), contracted to 16 hours a week.
I do like my job, but really can't see myself doing this for the next 25 or 30 years.
I'm 34 and thinking about going to college later in the year to do study cookery/catering course. Since having a low household income and trying to cook more homemade meals, I'm starting to get a real interest in food which I never had before. I'm definately not a good cook, but I make sure we don't starve!

Is it a daft move, leaving work to persue a course like this? You would think by this time in my life I would know what path to take by now.

dawyldthing

if you clean in the evening could you do cookery courses in the day? as many do run in the day and i know for one of the people we look after does it in the morning.

Notmyrealname

Please realise that jobs in catering are long antisocial hours, sometimes 12+hrs a day, working weekends, bank holidays and sometimes done as split shifts.

pinkcrafter

Sorry I should've made my post clearer. It's 3 days a week I work, during the day and the college near where I live, only has 1 evening course in cake decorating, and that doesn't start again until next January.
I work in a hotel and my hours are only available through the day, not evenings.

dizzyrascal

Do you have to leave work? Can you study part-time or learn at home. The internet and Youtube are brilliant for learning about cooking techniques.
If you have a real passion for this then I'm sure you will be able to learn a lot from the plethora of cookery shows on TV.
Also, can you ask to work shadow at your hotel, see what's involved in running a kitchen. See if they might be prepared to show you the ropes or take you on for some shifts, starting at the bottom, then work your way up.
Some chefs like to train their own staff. (Just a thought)

dawyldthing

are there any other colleges nearby? Try your local town as i know where we live theres several college and adult education centres nearby that can help you learn different things. Also try the local library as you'll often find brocures in there too

If you give us an idea which county your under we can try and point you in the right direction. There may be some course that start in September that you could do around your shifts.

Or is there any agency work that you could do as a kitchen assistant and work up from there as i know one summer I did a few weeks as a kitchen assistant through an agency.

Dunroamin

Don't forget that, from April, couples will have to be working a minimum of 24 hours between them (one working at least 16 hours) to be eligible for Working Tax Credits.

Little_Ole_Me

Do it, go to college. You should make the change this year, start in september. You dont want to be a 50 year old cleaner feeling bitter that you didnt chase your dream

Do it! You can work in the evenings to chip in - you are doing it to better yourself.

Loads of people do work and do courses, I am working 50 hours a week and doing a correspondance course as am hoping to apply for a promotion this year. DO ITTTTTTTTTTTTTT

pinkcrafter

Well, after thinking some more about it and working out our finances, I'm going to stay at work for the forseeable future. But have phoned the local college and have put my name down for a cake decorating evening course which starts after the summer. Have also subscribed to that new cake magazine that's just come out.
So, will have a go at cakes in my spare time and hopefully, with a lot of practise, that will give me a cash and cooking confidence boost.

Thanks everyone