Career Roadmap
Jessica's work combines: Education, Food, and Working with Others
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Restaurant, Culinary, and Catering Management/Manager
The Art Institute of California-Orange County
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Chefs and Head Cooks:
High School
Bachelor's Degree: Food Science
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
I wanted to go into financial planning but my mom thought it would be too stressful.
2.
Then I decided I had a passion for food.
3.
I enrolled at the art institute and immediately decided I needed a job in the industry.
4.
I was offered a teaching position at Sur la Table, specifically kids because no one else could.
5.
Then I realized I loved sharing my cooking experience.
6.
I started finding clients on my own, creating five star restaurant experiences in their homes.
7.
A hedge fund firm then found me and I started cooking for 30 guys day to day.
8.
UCI then found me and offered me a position to permanently run their culinary program.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Society in general:
You should never work for free.
How I responded:
This is a hard one and it depends on the industry but in my industry it was the only way for people to see my skills, to do things for free or a minimal charge. Once I got my foot in the door, and people appreciated what I did, I was able to charge and make the money I deserved.