CULINARY ARTS CAREER GUIDE
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Register online with EASE (www.sunysccc.edu/ces) to explore careers, access employment
opportunities and career events, research employers, learn to write resumes and cover letters, prepare
for interviews, structure your job search, and store documents important to your search.
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Schedule regular appointments with your academic advisor and a career professional on campus to
discuss your career path.
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Do your best in classes and labs. Speak with SCCC faculty to get the most out of your classes,
receive job search advice, develop leads, and request letters of recommendation. Speak with
classmates to generate leads and insight.
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Explore ways to build experience such as becoming an intern or volunteer. This is the best way to build
experience as a student and is often the reason you are hired after graduation. Contact your Department
Chairperson or the Career & Employment Office for assistance. Use EASE for additional information.
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Research industries and trends related to your career or occupational path using the Begley or public
library. Search the employment databases at the New York Public Library: www.nypl.org.
Also, use the Occupational Outlook Handbook: www.bls.gov/oco/.
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Join and then become actively involved in a professional association such as acfchefs.org/,
www.rbanet.com/, www.nysra.org/, www.restaurant.org/. Start networking with those in the field,
volunteer to serve on activities, and request advice from members regarding your career interests. Visit
http://www.sunysccc.edu/student/JPS/Associations.htm links to professional associations.
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Use business directories sponsored by chambers of commerce, associations, and local providers that
categorize organizations by service or industry type and provide access to contact information.
Employer locator: www.acinet.org/acinet/employerlocator/employerlocator.asp.
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Use industry specific websites relevant to your chosen field to access additional company
information, industry trends, and job leads such as www.hcareers.com/seeker/ or
www.careerbank.com.
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Contact everyone in your large network of friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, etc. who may be
able to offer additional contacts. A networking worksheet is available on our EASE website to help you
organize those important to your professional development:
www.sunysccc.edu/student/JPS/Peopletoknow.html.
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Use comprehensive web-based job boards to review postings from thousands of sources:
www.indeed.com, www.simplyhired.com - Also check our EASE website.
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Regularly review county, state, and federal employment websites for potential examination
procedures. Our EASE website also includes information about certifications in your field. Sign up for
automatic notification of exam dates at the following websites:
www.cs.state.ny.us/ (state civil service)
http://jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/ (federal jobs)
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Use employment agencies that generate employment leads in your chosen field. Use the phone book
or the Business Review “Book of Lists” to access their contact information.
RELATED EMPLOYERS
Graduates from this degree program support all industry categories including: Corporate & Privately Owned Restaurants
Full Service Hotels & Conference Centers * Caterers * College & University Dining Services * Corporate Dining
Services * Healthcare Dining Services * Public School Dining Services * Sporting & Entertainment Arenas
Casinos * Spas/Resorts * Public Health Departments (additional coursework required) * Nutrition/Wellness Clinics
Clubs * Golf Courses * Summer Camps * Banquet Houses * Culinary Training Centers * Cruise Lines
Bed & Breakfasts * Private/Home Businesses
Company Search Link: www.acinet.org/acinet/employerlocator
RELATED OCCUPATIONS
Assistant Chef (or with experience, Executive Chef or Sous Chef) * Managing Chef * Steward * Working Chef
Assistant Pastry Chef * Assistant Garde Manager * Banquet Chef * Vegetable Cook * Broiler Cook * Soup &
Sauce Cook * Fry Cook * Second Cook (Commercial Cook) and Roundsman * Personal Chef * Caterer
Assistant Restaurant Manager * Banquet Captain/Manager
(Students usually gain experience by working as cooks (Prep/Pantry/Line), bakers, expeditors, servers, dishwashers, and
utility workers.)
* Attainment of the positions above are dependent upon the candidate’s work experience, education, professional
references and networks, academic performance, and performance in the field.
Occupational Exploration Links:
Occupational Outlook Handbook - www.bls.gov/oco/
NYS Career Zone - www.nycareerzone.org/
CAPITAL REGION SALARY INFORMATION
Income varies depending on experience, position, company, geographic location, and level of education.
NYS Salary Research: www.labor.state.ny.us ~Click on Workforce Industry Data
National Salary Research: www.bls.gov, www.salary.com
CONTINUING EDUCATION
Most students who transfer on for further education after receiving an A.A.S. in Culinary Arts at SCCC go to the following
schools: SUNY Delhi, Rochester Institute of Technology, Niagara University, Johnson and Wales, New England Culinary
Institute, University of Nevada at Las Vegas
College Search Link: www.collegeboard.com
Information in this handout was produced in cooperation with the Culinary Arts Department.
CAREER & EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
Elston Hall, Room 223 / 518.381.1365 / www.sunysccc.edu/ces
*Walk-in hours are available Mondays and Tuesdays between the hours of 1:00pm to 3:00pm or call for an
appointment.
Robert Frederick, Coordinator
Bernice Dunn, Career and Transfer Counselor
Margaret Anne Williams, Nontraditional Student Counselor
Dawn Jones, Nontraditional Career Specialist