I've been a pastry chef for nearly a decade now, and we all know how awful it is working in the food industry. Low pay, long hours, forced OT, working on holidays with no holiday pay, and the schedule, especially for restaurant workers. Once upon a time, I really loved my job. I worked swing shift, but my work life balance was the best I'd had, and I have complete creative freedom and got to make any idea that came to mind. But when we returned from COVID shutdown, it was so horrible. And I stuck it out for many months hoping it would improve. It didn't. And here I am, in a new town, in a new state, smack dab in the middle of wine country, and the standards have really never been lower.
I've been thinking a lot about leaving the food industry permanently for some time now. I just don't know what I would do. I was lucky enough to get into a bakery with 0 skills and 0 education and learned on the job.
Anything to add into the mix would be helpful. I like to learn new skills so I'm open to pretty much anything. I guess I'm just looking for something where I can leave work at work and have a life outside of it. Somewhere where I can grow and progress would be nice too.
Tldr: want to leave the food industry but I don't have any other skills / education to benefit in another industry. Suggestions on where to go?