College/Sommelier help

[TheGoodLife]

Im in a dilemma trying to decide what I want to do in the future and I would greatly appreciate any members advice/help.

I'm currently in college pursuing a business degree (I have around 2 and a half years left till I graduate). My father is a chairperson at the university so I attend school basically for free. I have a deep interest/passion for food and especially wine but the university I'm attending does not offer any programs along those lines. My long term goals would to become a sommelier, work for a while, then open up a wine bar. I am trying to decide if I should stop pursuing the degree and attend a culinary school with a focus in wine. My other option would be to attend school that offers a degree in viticulture/ enology. I would be taking out loans for either of these option.

I not 100% sure on the pathway to my goal. I think a degree in viticulture/ enology would be extremely interesting but I don't know if its worth doing because of the loans. I also do not know if that degree is specifically for working at a vineyard.

Thank You in advance for everyones help.

 

[CouttsClient]

Continue getting your "basically free" education and spend the next 2 years educating yourself about wine and charting your goals. You can certainly go to culinary school after getting your degree.

I only know one person with a degree in enology but his family owns a vineyard and he knew all along that he wouldn't have to look for a job in the field. He's not certain it would have been a good idea if his situation was different.

I might be a good idea to try getting a job in a fine dining restaurant while you're in school...I believe Master Sommeliers recommends 3 years experience in wine/service industry before taking their introductory course

 

[Johnny_5]

Definitely finish school wherever you are and get your business degree. By finishing I dont mean just getting by, but instead keeping your GPA as high as freaking possible, so if you decide you dont want to be a Somm. you can fall back on the education and get a job in the corporate world.

Also, be sure if decide to go the route of culinary school/wine education it is something that you can really see yourself doing for the rest of your life. It's great that you have a passion for food and wine but just remember, for most people do destroy something you love is to turn it into a a business.

 

[kwilkinson]

Pft. Who the **** would want to be a sommelier.

 

[Piobaire]

Originally Posted by CouttsClient

I might be a good idea to try getting a job in a fine dining restaurant while you're in school...I believe Master Sommeliers recommends 3 years experience in wine/service industry before taking their introductory course

I'll be taking my intro exam soon. Never worked in the wine industry.

Originally Posted by kwilkinson

Pft. Who the **** would want to be a sommelier.

Pfft. Only some rube bumblefack.

 

[kwilkinson]

Originally Posted by Piobaire

I'll be taking my intro exam soon. Never worked in the wine industry.



Pfft. Only some rube bumblefack.
Rube bumblefack is true. Probably fat and midwestern as well. Or worse, Canadian.

 

[sonick]

Stick with business. The stuff you'd learn would be easily transferrable to whatever you would want to do in the future. Same can't be said for culinary school or majoring in vinticulture.