Bartending schools do cost money. The one that I almost attended here cost at least $500 for the course. That's $500 I could be spending elsewhere.

A friend of mine went through the course and granted, they did help hook her up with a restaurant where she could put her skills to use, but in the end she says it wasn't worth it.

Right now I'm working as a server at a small bar/grill where I am also learning how to bartend. The experience I am getting there is so much worth my time because I'm saving my money and learning on the job. On the slow nights I'm reading and studying the stuff I've printed on the Internet....what drinks/shots are made of, etc.

I just got my degree too...but I have a feeling I'll be stuck here in the service industry for a while. The money's just too good to pass up.