Culinary Institute of America Top Questions

To myself and to upcoming high school graduates the best advice I could give would be to explore! My first major in college was Dairy Management, because I always worked on farms and enjoyed it enough. However, it was not my passion; I found that it was exactly what I didn't want to do for the rest of my life. I would tell my young self to explore the job fairs, the available classes and programs to take. You're young, so try working in different job fields while your parents are willing to support you fully. Most people aren't born knowing what they want to do, so you need to find it. EXPLORE!

taking my self back to high school senior. My passion in high school was Culinary Arts. I am a very happy student and I love the kitchen. Being away from my family is very sad, however I was accepted into one of the best Culinary schools in the world. I would give a advice to anyone that if they have a passion for food reach to the top and learn new things and get a higher knowledge in the Culinary world. My goal since being in high school to to become a Executive Chef and own my own restaurant and to be able to make the most fabalous tasting food with my team. I was able to attend many competation with the ACF in many part of Florida. I truly was able to get a great passion and today I am happy that I have chosen the world of Culinary Arts. The Culinary Institute of America that I attend in New York is beautiful. We have beautiful restaurants on campus. I am very happy that I was blessed to be chosen to attend this awesome school. Our quote at our school is "We Speak Food" culinary Institute of america.

I have yet to attend college and only know about college life by living vicariously through my friends. I had moved to Seattle, Washington from a small Central Washington town almost directly after finishing highschool. I settled all plans to go to a community college there once the new year began. If I could go back to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to work harder at finding a job in Seattle so I could've stayed there. I would tell myself that you would be miserable living in Portland working as a nanny, even though I love kids and want to be a teacher one day. I'd make myself see that I need the college experience because I love to learn new things and need to be surrounded by peers.

If I went back in time and talked to myself as a high school senior I would say, "Don't be afraid to follow your dream." When I first started college I wanted to be a teacher, but my gut told me to do something different and be a baker, but I didn't listen. So I went through the first semester at a community college and I discovered I didn't want to continue so I stopped and applied to CIA, the original school I wanted to attend. I had to wait almost 8 months, when I could have just followed my instints. So to save myself from the tourture, I would say that I shouldn't be afraid that I wouldn't like it and just go. It would save so much time and money. If I had started then, I could have been a year into school if I just went. And if I still believed I couldn't do it I would reasure myself that it's worth it and that I would be so much happier and wouldn't have to deal with all of the drama of being out of school for 8 months.

Interestingly, when I was a high school senior my English teacher made all of her students write themselves a letter on where they thought they would be in five years. At the end of this academic year I will get that letter back, but if memory serves I had convinced myself I was going to NYU to play tennis and study film at TISCH. The reality of the path I have taken is so much more convoluted. Thus far there has been no college tennis, no NYU, two different universities, a year of volunteerism abroad and a major change so severe I have chosen a vocational institution. I remember waking up on my 22nd birthday and saying to myself I wish at 18 I had known what I wanted to do with myself, but now it's too late. Thankfully I brushed that off and am continuining to persue my goals. But that is my exact advice I would have given to a young me, it is never too late. Eventually you will find what makes you happy, often you just have to find what makes you unhappy first.

The advice I would give myself would be to enjoy being with friends that you will not see that often. Too much time with an unimportant boyfriend, separated me from having a really close relationship. Since that relationship has ended, I have been able to get to know them more and appreciate the time I have spent with them. I would also tell myself to challenge myself more and work harder. I would tell myself to be a little bit more independent and not be scared of being different. In the end being different is a good thing.

At the CIA, everything revolves around food; your math and writing class is even about food. There is also such a huge diverse group of people, from all over the country and even from others. The thing that links us all together is our passion and adoration of food. I would tell my high school self, to get ready for such a great experience, however, to also prepare for alot of work. This school breaks cooking into such a science and art, and you have to be prepared to apply yourself fully. You can't cut class, because if you do, you miss a whole technique that your chef will teach and there are no make-ups. Also, this school is not like a traditional school. I would tell my high school self to get ready to dress in business attire to classes not like we do in high school where we can wear jeans and a tee shirt. You can either come here and slack off and get absolutetly nothing from this school or you can take so much from each day and make this college experience all that it can be because there are so many opportunites here.

Advice from the future to the past: pay attention and be prepared. Life can get very hectic and frustrating for those just entering the world of adulthood. If I could go back in time and talk to myself I would advise myself these few words: Life is full of unexpected events, some good, some bad. Just keep your head up, remember that there are lots of people counting on your success, there are lots of people who love you, preparation is ALWAYS the key, and never forget to have fun.

First off I would like to make clear that I would not be fool enough to endanger the time space continuum by interacting with my past self. As much as a handful of words could forever change the outcome of my life and twist it into a depressing living nightmare to which there is no end. My one piece of advice would be to alert my younger self to the possibility of a career in the culinary arts. At that time I had no purpose in life and was uncertain of my future and I wasted many years studying various majors trying to discover what ignited my passion. Had I known earlier I could be years ahead with my studies and much more talented than I currently am. However I would have to tell myself not to enroll in classes for a few years and just to study independently or get a job within the field. Afterall, if I had gone to school any sooner then I would miss out on the great friends I made in culinary school who always support me.

Be a force of nature. You should never give up what you believe in, especially yourself. Don't think you don't have the time to enter contests or make a name for yourself, because you do. If you don't, someone will come in and take that opportunity from you. It's a competitive world, and you must be strong. However, always be friendly, you will meet some of your lifelong friends because you were the only one who would talk at a table full of strangers. You will catch people's attention by being assertive and confident, but be humble about your achievements while also taking pride in your work. Never let anyone make you think you aren't good enough. Prove to them that you are! Respect and develop a relationship with your chefs/professors because they will help you in the long journey they also endured. They will have wise words and a lifetime full of dreams to pick from. Be happy--enjoy a taste of the real world. Never falter and never lose the passion you have, for it will lead you places you never even dreamed of.