Connections
In this industry, who you know can make or break you. One of my friends pointed something out to me that I for some reason didn't realize. All up and down the west coast, I already have several connections. Not all of them related to the culinary industry, but connections none the less. Its proven quite useful.
I never realized how nice it is to have such a wide network of friends. Everywhere I go there is always people to see, never a dull moment. I even know someone who is so influential in her field that apparently everyone knows who she is. They have even helped me out in times of need, from replacing lost items to giving me a place to crash when my car broke down about 150 miles from college and home. I would repay those favors threefold if I ever got the chance.
I haven't even gotten started in this industry and I have some serious connections with it. It is going to be staggering to witness what happens to that network over the next 5 years.
