Do economics courses leave you craving a little more crunch? Find yourself wanting to have a bite out of bio? Are your literature courses a bit too sweet, as well as your poly-sci courses a touch too sour? Perhaps read more isn't exactly your cup of tea... What is? Culinary study.The Call of your kitchenIf you'd rather spend time studying a cookbook than a chem book, you probably know it already - most culinary schools seem to have an inclination toward the kitchen before they graduate high school. What you might not know is your passion can translate to an extremely exciting and lucrative culinary career."I spent my freshman year at New York University (New York, NY)," say Debbie Shure. "I had a kitchen in my dorm and I would always cook for my friends. It was a great hobby, but I never knew that I needed to produce a career out of it." Things have since changed, as Debbie recently graduated from Johnson ... Wales' (Providence, RI), a world-renowned culinary school, and today has a successful culinary career at Chocolatier magazine.Exactly the same held true for Nathan Rhodes, who worked in Enterprise Rent-A-Car's corporate office after senior high school. "I always had a passion for food, and I found on that in early stages," says Nathan, now 24 and their studies at The Culinary Institute of America (CIA, Hyde Park, NY)."I was working a corporate job, because that's what I thought I was 'supposed' to accomplish. I QUICKLY saw a television special on WOLFGANG PUCK [a famous chef and restaurant owner]. It inspired me to apply to culinary school, and now I really like it to death!" Well - death by chocolate, maybe.Nathan could find the ideal recipe for his culinary career dreams. How to start? By finding the right culinary school for you personally.Culinary Schools: Not Your Average ClassroomYou could have a knack for whipping up late-night mac n' cheese or adding the ideal quantity of cream and sugar in your morning coffee, but culinary school is going to be a little more demanding."CIA's associate's program is about 85 percent hands-on learning," says Nathan. "Your day starts with a lecture that reviews recipes and answers questions, and for another five hours you're in your kitchen. Then there is a lecture to close your day."But the hard work pays off. "The thing about culinary school is you get out what you put in," says Debbie. "In the event that you work hard, you'll learn quite a bit. check here are completely willing to help you as long as you're motivated."The Real (Culinary) WorldAs the recent reality show, "The Restaurant" showed, the day-to-day operations of a culinary career - particularly within a popular eatery - are frantic, fast-paced, demanding, and most importantly, exciting. Most culinary schools have some kind of externship program, where you work on site, to help offer you a taste of what a culinary career is like."CIA's externship lasts 21 weeks and you could go to any of the 1,700 approved sites," explains Nathan. "It's sort of like a resume, where the restaurants are looking to hire students. You apply, go on an interview, and hopefully get the position." For students embarking on such study, getting a culinary school that places great value on in-the-kitchen experience is key to your future culinary career.A Culinary Career SmorgasbordPerhaps the most significant thing to know about earning a culinary degree at culinary school is that it won't limit you to your kitchen. "The meals industry is experiencing an enormous boom at this time, and there are lots of more jobs than there was previously," says Colleen Pontes, a CIA graduate and former Chocolatier food writer. "The popularity of MARTHA STEWART opened the entranceway for food media and food TV, and the in general is generating so much excitement and interest right now.""You want to show people the culinary career opportunities that are out there," says Kathy Shaw, sales and marketing director at Le Cordon Bleu (Ottawa, Ontario), and graduate of the school's culinary school programs in Paris. "I began wanting to be a chef, now I really do the school's marketing. There are many ways to get this to passion a lifetime career.""You can find countless culinary careers beyond being truly a chef like catering, food TV, food writing, food art, event planning, food critic positions," agrees Nathan. "Even research and development at major food companies like Hershey's or Campbell's - all the sauces, candies, soups and flavors those mega companies put out are designed by people who have culinary abilities."And you'll never be stuck in one place. "When I first started, I wanted to be in the kitchen making desserts for folks," says Debbie. "Now I realize I wish to be a food writer, which will be great. I can combine all of my food knowledge with my writing skills and help Americans know very well what good food is focused on!"To find college and career schools in your area, surf http://www.CollegeSurfing.com.� Copyright 2007 The CollegeBound Network All Rights ReservedNOTICE: Article(s) may be republished free of charge to relevant websites, given that Copyright and Author Resource Box are included; and ALL Hyperlinks REMAIN intact and active.Paul D. Rosevear is a frequent contributor to The CollegeBound Network. Read more about finding a school or career that is right for you!