I don't think so. My ILs all went for school to become CwS, all succeeding, and my fil and mil do it on the side in retirement. They love it and it has helped open up so much more of the world of wine to them than before, and they were knowledgeable then. I think if it makes you happy, it is a great thing!
Post by ChillyMcFreeze on Aug 6, 2012 20:06:19 GMT -5
Could you teach courses at a local adult learning program? That could be a fun side job, and with your experience traveling, you would be an awesome person to learn from.
They work at wineries, do pourings at different events for the wineries, provide workshops on wine and sometimes help their daughter who has an events company that puts on tastings at different wine stores.
The cost isn't really an issue. H's company is pretty generous with spousal support accounts for continuing education and the keeping up of licenses and things, so I wouldn't be the one paying for it.
If cost isn't a factor, I would totally do something like this just for funsies. If I had the money and time, I'd take classes to do learn all sorts of weird stuff.
Post by secretlyevil on Aug 6, 2012 20:42:16 GMT -5
I say go for it. Learning is good for you and if you can afford it,what's stoppping you? You'll need to pass on your new found knowledgebecsusr its only fair. :drink:
Would it be incredibly stupid to go back to school for fun when you're unsure what kind of return it will have beyond your own enrichment and ability to throw kick ass parties and choose the perfect hostess gift?
Absolutely not! Education for the sake of education. Do I use either of my degrees? Hell no!
It would be stupid to take out tens of thousands of dollars in loans to finance it.
FWIW, you could become a sommelier at an awesome restaurant. I don't think that's anything to sneeze at, since I saw someone on House Hunters who was offered a position at a high end restaurant and moved to LA for the job. BUT the schedule seems like a bitch. But I prefer to work days.
I think all education should be for one's own enrichment. It makes sense to me to go to school since you can't work anyway. Might as well pick up some interesting subjects in this new country.
When H was doing his MBA, he did a few wine industry related projects. He doesn't do anything related to the wine industry now, but the info has served him well. People who like to talk about wine love to find other people that like to talk about wine, and it's helped with general networking and meeting new people, even people that don't work in the wine industry.
Also, meeting people who actually work in the wine industry is helpful. I mean, even if you don't end up ever getting a job, others will. Then you get the royal treatment when you visit their wineries, or have easy access to restaurant reservations. We got into the French Laundry (and, IMHO, the best table in the place) because H met a guy who sells his wine to them. We bought a case from him and refer friends to his winery all the time, so he was willing to do us a favor, and he called them to get us a table. And a friend of mine, who works in sort of a lower level job at an importer that specializes in a well known brand that sells around $12-$20 a bottle can get me that wine for $3 a bottle. You could know tons of these people!
Also, most of the big wine distributors are based in NY and there's a lot of regulatory stuff involved. You might actually create a marketable niche living abroad as a member of the NY bar and a wine expert.
Post by EloiseWeenie on Aug 6, 2012 21:41:55 GMT -5
I'm in the go for it camp.
FWIW, I got a baking & pastry degree because it made me happy, and I have no regrets. I'm not making money from it now, but my husband and kids certainly reap the benefits.
This is YOUR life. Never mind what others think of your choices. If it is something you would like to do and enjoy - go ahead and do it if it fits in your budget. I live in a college town and have taken classes for "the fun of it" only because the subject matter was of interest. I have all the degrees I want and have no interest in adding more. I often get negative comments - along the vein of "Why not get another degree" since you are paying the tuition etc. My reply -- I am just having fun with this.