Hi, everyone.
I hate to admit this, but I love this industry: I am a brewing-beer-aholic.
When I first opened up my own brewery in 1998, I told my employees that if we ever failed that I would unlikely to ever be able to get another job in the industry unless I started up another brewery. That is because I would be considered too expensive or too experienced and thus "too big for my boots" ... or even too much of a loser ...
Ultimately, my brewery did fail. (Mostly due to starting too ambitious -- too much overhead, not being fully capitalized, the shutdown of the industry distribution channels and double-digit growth by the Big 3 Brewers, and because getting that last needed capital was difficult during the tech/dot.com bubble and then post-9/11... not to mention, inexperience as an owner on my part ... I am not afraid to admit it. Note my lack of anonymity on this website.)
Since then, both of my brewers have gone on to get good jobs at some of the big chain brewpubs and have won GABF and World Beer Cup medals.
But I can't seem to land a decent job in this industry. I was offered one in Hawaii, but that fell through due to the owner not willing to take a risk on a "mainlander" and having second thoughts ... I was offered another in Pennsylvania, but talking with the brewer and owner and looking at the brewhouse, I passed that one up, despite the generous pay offer ... but, otherwise, nothing. Is it simply bad luck? Too much competition?
At this point, I am ridiculously skilled and experienced. I am even pursuing some business classes and an MBA parttime (mostly for jobs outside of the industry). The only thing I lack is a BS in Fermentation Science from UC Davis -- and I sense that would be of limited value to me. (You can see my resume in the 'brewers for hire' section.)
I am resigned to starting up another brewing operation at this point, and would probably prefer it, but it will probably take me another five years to put together the capital.
But, I am still left wondering, am I correct in my assessment that most, if not all, will consider me either "too expensive, too big for my boots, or too much of a loser"? Are potential employers simply afraid that I will only stay a short while and then leave to open up my own operation?
Any thoughts? Any suggestions?
- John
I hate to admit this, but I love this industry: I am a brewing-beer-aholic.
When I first opened up my own brewery in 1998, I told my employees that if we ever failed that I would unlikely to ever be able to get another job in the industry unless I started up another brewery. That is because I would be considered too expensive or too experienced and thus "too big for my boots" ... or even too much of a loser ...
Ultimately, my brewery did fail. (Mostly due to starting too ambitious -- too much overhead, not being fully capitalized, the shutdown of the industry distribution channels and double-digit growth by the Big 3 Brewers, and because getting that last needed capital was difficult during the tech/dot.com bubble and then post-9/11... not to mention, inexperience as an owner on my part ... I am not afraid to admit it. Note my lack of anonymity on this website.)
Since then, both of my brewers have gone on to get good jobs at some of the big chain brewpubs and have won GABF and World Beer Cup medals.
But I can't seem to land a decent job in this industry. I was offered one in Hawaii, but that fell through due to the owner not willing to take a risk on a "mainlander" and having second thoughts ... I was offered another in Pennsylvania, but talking with the brewer and owner and looking at the brewhouse, I passed that one up, despite the generous pay offer ... but, otherwise, nothing. Is it simply bad luck? Too much competition?
At this point, I am ridiculously skilled and experienced. I am even pursuing some business classes and an MBA parttime (mostly for jobs outside of the industry). The only thing I lack is a BS in Fermentation Science from UC Davis -- and I sense that would be of limited value to me. (You can see my resume in the 'brewers for hire' section.)
I am resigned to starting up another brewing operation at this point, and would probably prefer it, but it will probably take me another five years to put together the capital.
But, I am still left wondering, am I correct in my assessment that most, if not all, will consider me either "too expensive, too big for my boots, or too much of a loser"? Are potential employers simply afraid that I will only stay a short while and then leave to open up my own operation?
Any thoughts? Any suggestions?
- John
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