I attended the Bartending Academy ten years ago this year. I wanted a change of pace from the rigmarole of call center jobs and retail and found that getting into the restaurant industry without experience at that time was fairly difficult. After I graduated I was given lifetime access to a job pool (all I have to do is call to get a password to enter) and I was a bartender at a hotel within about a month. I also was able to bartend a private event and found a job at another restaurant which I wound up working for for about 3.5 years. This was a great way for me to get my feet wet and try something new! I'm currently at UNM finishing up a couple of degrees, but I'm still working in the restaurant industry and have found it to be my most enjoyable job venue yet. Thank you Bartending Academy for providing me with a new found confidence in my abilities to not only try something new, but truly thrive at it. read more