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7 Things to Consider About Baking Careers
7 Things to Consider About Baking Careers
Are you considering pursuing one of today's exciting baking careers? If the smell of rising bread or baking cookies makes you weak in the knees, and your favorite pastime involves whipping up a culinary creation in the kitchen, the baking industry could be a perfect choice for your future. This fast-paced career field requires a passion for food, and a fascination with the mix of science and creativity involved in mastering baked goods.
In order to reach your career goals in the baking industry, a post-secondary education is generally the first step. However, before you start firing off applications to baking schools around the world, there are some considerations about baking careers that you should take into account. Here are seven factors to think about before pursuing a career in baking.
1. Is a Baking Career For You?
There's a very big difference between spending a leisurely afternoon in the kitchen, whipping up the family's cherished cookie recipe, and spending an eight-hour shift in a fast-paced commercial kitchen. Not to say you can't enjoy both, but there are some prerequisites that can help ensure success and personal satisfaction in the baking industry.
- Physical strength - You will be required to lift heavy pots, operate industrial-sized equipment, and handle large bags of ingredients.
- Stamina - You will spend many hours on your feet in a fast-paced environment.
- Attention to detail - Although baking is considered by many to be an art form, it is also part science. Accurate measuring can make or break a creation, and a forgotten ingredient can result in sub-par quality.
2. What Kind of Baking Career Do You Want?
There are many different career paths and environments within the baking industry. By narrowing down the type of job you want and the atmosphere you want to be a part of, you can make it easier to choose the type of baking school that matches your goals. Common baking careers include baker, pastry chef, and commercial baker, while job settings range from restaurants and bakeries to grocery stores and baking manufacturing companies.
3. What Types of Programs are Available?
Now that you have thought about what type of baking careers interest you, the next step is to figure out which program would be the best match. From certificates to diplomas to degrees, there is no shortage of available options. Choosing the right baking program will depend on your career goals.
If you are looking to complete your training quickly and start your career at the entry-level, a certificate or diploma program could be your best option. These types of programs tend to be career-oriented, focusing on the hands-on skills you need to pursue entry-level baking positions.
On the other side of the spectrum, baking degree programs tend to be longer in length, and cover a wider range of theoretical and background knowledge, in addition to hands-on training. Although earning a degree requires more time to be invested toward your education, a higher-level program can allow you to graduate qualified for a broader range of baking positions.
4. What Types of Baking Schools are Available?
After determining the best program route, you also need to take into consideration the type of baking school that best fits your career goals. If you are leaning toward a certificate or diploma program, and wish to graduate quickly with on-the-job skills, a vocational school is probably your best bet. In addition, many private culinary institutes are available, and also tend to provide job-focused training. However, if your goal is to obtain a degree, a college or university might be the better choice.
5. How Much Does Baking School Cost?
The cost of tuition is an important consideration for any student. However, as with any type of program, the price of tuition depends entirely upon the length and type of program, as well as the location of the school, the state of the local market, and many other factors. Your best bet is to narrow down the list of schools you are considering, and contact them for further information.
When talking about tuition, it is also worth mentioning that many schools offer in-house, private, or federal financial aid through payment plans, scholarships, grants, loans, etc. It is definitely in your best interest to check out what forms of funding you could qualify for.
6. What is the Average Salary for a Baking Career?
It’s extremely important to investigate the average salary statistics within the baking field. No one wants to invest time and money into an education only to graduate and discover their salary expectations are way off the mark. While salaries vary depending on the type of position, and geographical area, here are the average annual mean wages for some of the most common baking jobs.*
- Full-Service Restaurants - $23,480
- Grocery Stores - $25,660
- Bakeries and Tortilla Manufacturers - $26,060
- Elementary and Secondary Schools - $34,490
- Federal Executive Branch - $44,590
7. What is the Current Job Outlook for Baking Careers?
Your final, and probably most vital, consideration is the job outlook for the baking industry. If you are going to pursue baking as a career, it’s helpful—to say the least—to know how competitive the industry is, and gain a realistic idea of your odds of finding a job that fits your personal and professional goals.
According to studies,* the job prospects in this area are expected to be 'Good' (with the other categories being 'Excellent', 'Very Good, 'Favorable', and ‘Keen Competition’). Projections show a 4% increase during the 2008-2018 decade.
To take the next step, and gain additional information that can help determine the right educational and career path for you, browse through the directory of baking schools and programs today!
*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, web site accessed on Oct. 6, 2010.
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