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"