Is Bartending Right For You?

There are many career options out there for everybody. What is important is that you choose one that meets your current and long-term needs and goals.

Think about where you want your life to be in five years and try to pick a job or career that caters to that plan. Remember, whatever job you choose needs to best fit YOUR lifestyle, not someone else's.

Bartending is a profession that can cater to certain lifestyles and needs, but is not for everyone. Specific types of people make the best bartenders. To see if bartending is right for you weigh these potential benefits of bartending:

* Free time. As a bartender your shifts tend to be 4-6 hours instead of 8-10 like a lot of corporate jobs. However, it is best that you be a night owl because most of your shifts will be in the evening.

* Fast paced atmosphere. This makes the time fly by. Most bars are quite busy and you won't have time to be bored while you are working. Your shift will be over before you know it.

* It keeps you mentally sharp. If you are good at remembering people's names and don't have to look drink combinations up in a book you can be very successful.

* You don't have to go to college to become a bartender. I don't know of many bars, if any, that require a college education to work there. You just have to show up on time, work hard, know how to make and sell drinks, and please customers, that's it.

* You can make a lot of money in tips. Bartending is a great profession in that your income is not stagnant. It is similar to sales in that there is not a ceiling on your income, as long as you are good at it.

* If you want to go to college you can. Bartending is one of the few professional careers where you can make a full time income and go to college at the same time.

* If you have no experience you can become a good bartender fairly quickly. Bartending schools usually last only two weeks or so and there are also many online bartending courses you can take. Once you know a few key skills you are on your way.

* Meeting a lot of people. Most bartenders serve drinks to hundreds of people a night, many of whom come back frequently. It will allow you to establish a lot of good relationships with people.

* Batenders are needed pretty much anywhere in the world, so you can go and work pretty much wherever you please.

* Job Security. I don't think that society as a whole is going to stop drinking alcohol any time soon.

I hope that these benefits provided some insight as to what your life would be like as a bartender. If it sounds right for you I hope that you will try it out as a potential career. Whatever you decide to do just remember to enjoy it! Life is too short, so don't waste it on something that isn't for you.