Lucky are those whose true passion and hobby becomes their career - Jewel Sharma

Upon graduating high school (class-12), aged 18, we are full-grown adults, ready and capable, both physically and mentally to take the steering wheel of our lives, so much so that he/she becomes conscientious and competent enough to choose the leader and representative for their country. But one of the very first steps towards this adulthood is a decision every single one has to/ had made on that stage of life. That is to choose their career, to choose something that they would have to do every single day for the rest of their lives.

From my early childhood days, I always enjoyed cooking with my mother rolling baby chapati and serving them with utmost pride to my father, telling him, "Look, I made food today." During school days, cooking was always an escape for me and when I reached that stage in my life when I had to make the decision of my life. Like big cliché Indian families, my relatives also tried to persuade and influence me but that eventually ended up in me getting more confused. One thing on which my parents and relatives agreed to was that ‘A man should always learn the difference between his career and his hobbies’. And one day I politely replied, "Lucky are those whose true passion and hobby is their career, that way they would be doing something every day which they truly love." Upon hearing this, my dad had a sense of satisfaction and agreed to the fact that I’ve grown adult mentally as well.

I’ve seen that parents tend to disagree with their children when they choose a non-traditional approach towards their career and get into something like Hotel Management, Culinary or Photography which might have a high demand but not as promising and secure as a Doctor or Engineer. But I think parents should be more open towards the life choices of their children and leave behind their orthodox life rules and children should also be more persuasive and serious towards the choice they made, instead of deciding on a temporary hobby. They should be physically and mentally prepared for the consequences and difficulties that their choice may engender.

From that point of time, I had a passport to my dream life as a chef. I quickly applied for one of the best hospitality institutes in the country offering a degree course for Culinary Arts which was Vedatya Institute. It might be very easy to get into many hotel management colleges like you can get into govt-IHMs simply on merit basis but such colleges have no importance or doesn’t play an impactful role in making you a good personnel but one must be fluent in English, have a good physical posture, confident and with roll up your sleeves attitude, then only they stand a chance in colleges like IHM-Aurangabad by Taj Hotels, Vedatya Institute by Radisson Group, Manipal by Welcome Group or Programs like STEP by Oberoi group and should opt for such institutions. Such institutions are far better from academics’ point of view and much-favored options from the placement point of view as compared to govt-IHMs or IIHM. There are a variety of options available these days and even I got confused and felt lost in choosing the right pathway for my career but always remember that do not take any decision with proper research, compare the curriculums, campus facilities, placement record, fee structure before choosing what’s right for you.

I chose Vedatya and here I encountered truly brilliant and excellence professors, supportive and learning environment, a cohort of students who are serious, passionate and friendly. Vedatya Institute is owned and operated by Umak Group, the owning the holding entity of Radisson Blu Plaza Delhi, Radisson Blu Varanasi and a chain of restaurants called The Great Kabab Factory.

Vedatya also has an academic partnership with InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) in the hospitality industry. There are a plethora of opportunities, it is up to you to seek them out. You wish to join any club, sports, conduct a research or participate in indoor and outdoor activities you can on state-of-the-art campus grounds. There are endless resources and wise advising through peers and mentors on every step when you’re a part of the Vedatya family. They also offer industry visits, domestic and international internship opportunities, overseas trips, cultural immersion and involvement with NGOs are all elements which contribute to the student's overall development.

About the Author:

Hi! I'm Jewel Sharma, currently a student of School of Culinary Excellence under Program in International Culinary Arts (2018 batch) at Vedatya Institute, Gurgaon.