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You have to love what you do. That sage piece of advice works for any career you might choose. Thanks to the Food TV network and some of the new chef reality shows many have seen the hard work and sweat equity that one goes through to become a chef. The life of a chef isn't all glitz and glamour. Most chefs have done their time before reaching the top of their game.

Of course, most chef's will never become the next Emeril, who by the way is rumored to make 9 million dollars a year. Of course he and several other top earning celebrity chefs owe some of their income to restaurants they own and also, as in the case of Ina Garten to food products sold under their name. They design cookware, write cookbooks and do live cooking demonstrations.

While attending culinary arts school most students work part-time doing what are called externships. These externships help them gain invaluable experience in the industry. Externships also help as students get paid while they get real life work experience. A lot of culinary arts students are hired full time and given permanent employment after their schooling is completed by the restaurant or resort where they served their externships. These externships can be invaluable.

Culinary arts schools also offer job placement support. They participate in job fairs, have local and global job postings and offer placement assistance after graduation. Culinary arts schools will also help the student with preparing for interviews and sharpening up their resumes.

The level of culinary education and the experience that a chef has will certainly affect the salary they will receive. An executive chef with a BA degree and many years of experience can make a salary up to $250,000 dollars a year. Most chefs have an average salary of $60,000 dollars a year.

Personal chefs can make upwards of $50,000 dollars a year. They generally work 4-5 days per week, and have a more normal 9-5 type job. Personal chefs do all the planning and cooking for meals. The meals are delivered and left with instructions on how to re-heat. A personal chef can charge per meal or can be hired by one individual, or family on a full time basis.