Just right for me.. :)

Okay so I've got ten minutes to waste while I let this facial mask do its work.

     Over the last two days I have done some pretty extensive research on the subject of college and I was pretty surprised at what I found. A few scams, a lawsuit, and respect for these really really smart people. My search began with just a simple google search for the knife brand that my college prefers for their culinary students but while I found out that Henkels are amazing and expensive, I also found out that Le Cordon Blue college in Pasadena, California has a lawsuit out against them for taking close to $45,000 from a student and then didn't help him(as they promised they would) find a good paying job. He was left in serious debt, trying to live on a hourly pay of $10 an hour. They keep calling him to see if he's got a job, but every time they follow up with payment talk. His parents are furious that they lied and told his son he would be a sous chef right out of college and he could barely get a job as a dishwasher.. or something like that.
     I was taken back by this story and by all the people who commented on it. Over a thousand comments if my memory serves me right. An ex-recruiter at another Art Institute/ Culinary Institute/ Le Cordon Blue location commented, saying that she would get reprimanded if she didn't meet a quota of new enrolled students and if she tried to warn the students and was found out, she could be fired. OH! and the recruiters are making more than the teachers! I can't believe that.
     Le Cordon Blue colleges around the US are 90% fake. They hike up the tuition 60% more than the original and the Art Institute seems to be following in the same foot steps. It also sounded like as long as you are paying, you pass your classes but if you're late or miss a payment, they start messing with your education.. It kind of made me sad but also glad that I don't have the money to throw away. I have no problem going to a community college where I can take almost all the same classes, get the same certificates and if I decide to go to another college to further my education, my credits will transfer. NOT the case with AI or LCB.
     My dad has a friend who completed the culinary program at my college and is now working in a nice restaurant in our community but he started in a respectful entry level position and worked his way up. I certainly don't expect to get out of college and get an amazing paying job. I want to learn what people below the chef have to do. I will also be picking his brain soon.
     Did I mention the money..? Oh yah, that really high number up there. Well, at my community college where the curriculum is about the same, it's somewhere around 35-40,000 less. I refuse to pay for a name. It doesn't help you get a job any better than the one of a community college, specially in these times. It's about your skill level and what you know.
     I know most of my posts are pleasant and bubbly and I'm sorry this one is not but I'm still amped up about all the people getting ripped off. It makes me really sad that so many have and will be taken advantage of. This is a time to read every bit of the fine print and have the president do a background check. ;)
     I'm very happy with my decision to stick with my college, I'll be driving just as far as I would to the Ai campus even, since I'll be taking most of my courses at a different campus and I think that is exciting as well. I love exploring the different campuses. This will be the 4th for me. There's just so much to look forward to. I feel this is finally the path I'm supposed to be on. I knew that asking god for guidance would eventually work. He would show me in time. :)
    After this negative talk of those two schools, I want to say that the information was not provided by a completely reliable source. It was past students, a few that in the programs now, a few ex-recruiters and the information they sent me just today. I understand that there are a lot of students that are in school to learn something they are really passionate about, but then there are a those who just pick the trade with the highest estimated yearly income. I'm not even thinking about that right now. I just want to learn to be a better baker and maybe become a pastry chef in time and I think I can achieve those goals where I'm at.
     Okay. I'm done. It's been longer than ten minutes and I know my eyes are probably red from looking at this screen in bad light again for the third night in a row. :(