Finding a career after leaving JWs

reneeisorym

I find myself with no college degree and a secretary at 25 years old. I know I can't stay here for the rest of my life.

So I'm trying to figure out what I could do to get myself on a path actually leading somewhere. I have no education beyond high school and a couple of years of college that didn't give me a degree. All of my work experience is either banking or clerical and I'm good at it but I don't like it. Thanks Dad for thinking I would magically marry a rich ministerial servant and never have to work.

So here's my latest idea. I happen to be a great artist. I took 5 years of lessons and 2 years of college art. I also happen to be an incredible cook thanks to my grandma. Combine the two and what do I get?

Maybe I should become a baker. I'm really good at it and decorating cakes takes quite an artisitic flair. My idea was to start making cakes from home and then work my way up to opening a bakery. I could make more than just wedding cakes -- all kinds of sweets like cheese cakes, irish creme cakes, pies ... The only places to by that stuff here is the grocery store. The bakeries usually just sell decorated cakes, cupcakes, and candies around here.

So, I enrolled in cake decorating classes starting next month. What do you think of this idea. Could it work? pointers?

ex-nj-jw

I don't know much about it, but I feel strongly that if you have a dream and you have the ability to make that dream come true, go for it.

Maybe you could do it on the side while still working your full time job, until you get established. That way you will still be able to make ends meet. Who know's those ends maybe overlapping in just no time at all!!

Good luck, I think you can do it

nj

kwr

FYI, You would have to check with State laws for baking. I know in California you can't operate a commercial bakery out of your home.

Mysterious

I think it sounds like a great plan. My boyfriend's sister actually went to culinary school and ended up specializing in baking. She loves her job too. :)

reneeisorym

FYI, You would have to check with State laws for baking. I know in California you can't operate a commercial bakery out of your home.

Lots of people bake cakes out of home here. California has the most laws that no one else has even thought of!

Sad emo

Cool! It's something you enjoy doing so why not?

A friend of mine started out decorating cakes just for friends and family in her spare time, not charging much above cost - and of course word spread and she got more and more requests. I also have another friend who built up her dog grooming business that way too! Maybe you could carry on with the secretarial work whilst you build your cake decorating business. It might be the safer option if you can't afford to throw all your efforts immediately into a new business.

Enjoy the course and best wishes for the future career

reneeisorym

A friend of mine started out decorating cakes just for friends and family in her spare time, not charging much above cost - and of course word spread and she got more and more requests. I also have another friend who built up her dog grooming business that way too! Maybe you could carry on with the secretarial work whilst you build your cake decorating business.

That was my idea to keep my secretarial job until the cake thing works out. I do like this idea about doing it cheaply for a while. Sounds like a plan -- get the word out and get some pictures of ones I've done in a photo album before charging regular price.

I must say that my buttercream icing is absolutely heavenly :)

Renee

Open mind

You could corner the local dub market by making a special "JW Cake".

The synergy would be perfect.

1. Dubs are cheapskates and are always looking for bargains
2. You could afford to charge less because.......
3. You'd spend 50% less on energy costs since...........
4. Just like their doctrines, the cake is only "Half-Baked".

Groan. Sorry. It's a genetic weakness of mine.

Now for your real question. Someone already said to follow your dreams. If you really feel strong about it, perhaps it could work. Just keep in mind that the whole food service arena is HUGELY competitive. Have you read anything by Anthony Bourdain? His description of the restaurant biz doesn't make me want to encourage my kids in that direction. But, hey, if it's something you LOVE, don't discount the "psychic wages" it will pay.

Open Mind

bigdreaux

rene, i don't know anything about it, but, congrats on doing this. i wish you all the luck in the world.

JK666

Just curious, you say you have two years of college without a degree. What in, and how much more would it take to get a degree in something? JK

Finding a career after leaving JWs

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