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 Message 8269 of 22774 in Behind the Bar
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Subject: Re: Bartending as a long term profession
From: Corey
Posted: Thu Aug 25. 2005, 15:13 UTC
Followup to: "Bartending as a long term profession"  by Cask  (Mon Aug 8. 2005, 22:05 UTC)
   I graduated from Penn State University with dual degrees in Business and 
English, but while in college I started tending bar and never stopped after 
graduation. Now, I agree with most everything that was stated in the other 
replies to your question, but bartending has led me to owning 2 of my own 
businesses. I have been a bartender for going on 12 years now (now I am 
reduced to only filling in at events I staff rather than nightly shifts) and I 
have been a bar manager, head bartender, bar consultant, bartender trainer, 
and now own a bartender staffing company and a bartending website.  So it 
definitely has led me down an incredible (albeit twisted) path.  My parents 
were really not very happy that I chose bartending over some corporate job 
(but I've never been a fan of office work and the like), but my parents have 
now come around to it, seeing that it has made me successful. It all depends 
on what you do with your knowledge and experience.
   I made a ton of money as a drink slinger, and I've seen some of the most 
beautiful places in the world, met some great people, and had a LOT of fun 
along the way. Some people go into business for themselves with this 
experience, like owning their own bar, website, company, etc. Others go into 
management or consulting. The key, I think, is to not get sucked into the 
lifestyle (getting off work at 3 or 4 AM, hitting afterparties, or spending 
your cash tips on drinks at your friends' bars after work.) I've seen it 
happen to a lot of fellow bartenders...
    The lifestyle is great for a while...but it works well only for the 
18-20something crowd; women will flock to you as a young bartender (and even 
older ones in some cases) and you will have a lot of great experiences. But 
like the replies indicate, at some point you have to start thinking about the 
future, i.e. insurance, benefits, marriage/family, etc, and most women looking 
for the same aren't going to be looking for a bartender as a candidate b/c 
women KNOW how the industry works.
   Yes, people will also look down on you for being "just a bartender" but if 
opinions don't phase you, then it shouldn't be an issue. I always took comfort 
in knowing I made more money than most of the people frowning on my career, 
and I was 15-40 years YOUNGER than them and making more money. When I can 
retire at 45 or 50, those people who scoffed at my choice of career will STILL 
BE WORKING at 60-70 years old, and I won't give them a second thought.
   So enjoy what you do, and take solace in the fact that bartending can lead 
to a great many other careers for you if you play your cards right.
-- 
Corey Keys
www.totallyfreebartending.com
"Where Bartender Training Is On the House"


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