My white-chocolate pumpkin cheesecake recipe is ready to be whipped out and put the sweet finishing note on holiday diners. That’s what I’ve been talking about in conversations with my family and friends since the Halloween costumes were put away –  Thanksgiving potlucks and holiday dinners and parties.

One of my 30-something friends would love to become a personal chef, and she displays a natural talent in the kitchen, creating the most difficult Martha-esque recipes quickly, while mine are disasters. So it’s amazing to learn about the types of culinary training available for her and others pursuing that goal in the growing field.

Look at the backgrounds of celebrity chefs and restaurant owners in major cities competing on popular shows such as “Top Chef,” and you’ll find an array of education experience.

One of my “Top Chef: Las Vegas” favorites, restaurateur Kevin Gillespie of Atlanta, cooked part-time at eateries while attending the Art Institute of Atlanta.

The stars of Food Network also demonstrate different paths to a culinary career. Bobby Flay attended the French Culinary Institute while Giada De Laurentis earned a degree in anthropology from the University of California in Los Angeles before focusing on food and training at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, as did Sandra Lee.

The entertaining Guy Fieri route’s was a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management from the University of Nevada Las Vegas, then working in and owning restaurants before being named “The Next Food Network Star” a while back. Iron Chefs Cat Cora and Michael Symon are graduates of The Culinary Institute of America.

You could leave those schools with associate and bachelor’s degrees as well as the in-depth instruction and hands-on experience that will propel you to succeed in your next kitchen, whether it’s in the glare of the TV cameras or delighting small groups of diners every night.

-Lori Johnston

OK, maybe college was never uncool. But in this recession, college attendance among young adults is the highest it’s ever been. Ever.

Here’s proof: In October 2008, close to 40 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds were enrolled in college, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of newly released data from the Census Bureau. That translates into almost 11.5 million young adults in higher ed.

Of course, a majority of the college enrollment growth has come at community colleges, where enrollment tends to rise as the economy worsens. After all, who can afford a pricey private college education when community college offers a good education for a fraction of the cost?

But it’s not all about money. Even though the most growth has been seen at community colleges, enrollment at four-year colleges has remained steady despite annual tuition increases that outpace inflation.

So why is everyone flocking to college? In a downturned economy, going to college can seem counterintuitive – who can afford tuition when they can’t find a decent paying job? But the adage “you have to give something to get something” might put the situation into perspective.

During this recession, the national unemployment rate has been at its highest level in more than 25 years. We’re all feeling it, but many young adults are bearing the brunt of the strain. Just 46 percent of 16- to 24-year-olds were employed in September 2009, reports the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s the lowest percentage since 1948, when the government began collecting this kind of data.

Recession Redemption
The choice for college speaks volumes about the anticipated and proven outcomes of a college education. If young adults can’t find work now, and therefore decide to go to college, they must be doing so because they believe education will help them get a job. And not just any job – college education translates into higher positions and salaries than high school diplomas do.

When you think about it, the data paints a picture of hope. Instead of bemoaning the current financial situation, young adults are taking their future into their own hands by pursuing higher education. They’ve determined that their lives can be better than what they know today, and they’re turning that possibility into reality.

So maybe the recession hasn’t been a total loss. If it has motivated people to do something good for themselves – something that might have otherwise escaped their list of priorities – the economy might just be redeemable after all.

What about you – have you been able to redeem the recession? It’s evident that young people view college as a worthwhile investment. Have you thought about the benefits of pursuing higher education, especially in tough economic times?

The fact is that whether you’re out of work, in need of a promotion, or ready for a career change, choosing college is always a smart move. Is the recession what it will take for you to make a change? If so, take advantage of the opportunity to make a better life for yourself. Education can always take you where you want to go.

-Robyn Tellefsen

My mom is in her early 60s and doesn’t intend to stop working as a middle school teacher anytime soon. That’s partly because she hasn’t been in the school system for that long. It’s a profession she’s wanted to do for years, but more than two decades after earning her bachelor’s in education and after years of working for computer companies and other businesses, she finally entered into her dream job a few years ago. She hasn’t regretted her decision and grows more passionate by the day.

It’s interesting because she made the career change at the same time her peers were preparing for retirement. Instead of saying goodbye to a full-time job, she took on the demanding role of a teacher. She’s even received her master’s since then and is pursuing her doctorate.

I often talk to retirement-age professionals around the country who are staying in the workforce or re-entering the job market, in new careers or consulting gigs stemming from their existing experience. Newsweek recently reported on how growing numbers of retirees have returned to the workforce after a drop in their 401(k) values.

If you’re looking to hospitals, universities, nonprofits, municipalities and insurance companies, Newsweek’s story says that’s the right track.

Don’t just rely on experience though. Gaining education can bring you up to date on changes in your profession or give you the training you need to pursue a new field.

Acquiring certifications, diplomas and degrees in health care, technology, education, and other areas through online programs or traditional formats could go a long way in helping you land new employment in this weak job market. And that can add to a dwindling nest egg. Or, as in my mom’s case, help you rediscover a passion you once had.

-Lori Johnston

Here’s some encouraging news out of my home state of Georgia: Record numbers of students are enrolling in technical colleges, inspired to try new career fields and seeking to quickly gain the knowledge needed to land those jobs.

Data from the Technical College System of Georgia shows a 24 percent increase in 2009 enrollment compared to 2008, with 110,254 students in the state’s 28 technical colleges. The previous record: 91,838 students, in 2003.

Officials say the enrollment increase is due to the downturn in the economy. The education provided by technical schools can provide marketable skills that open doors to jobs in high-demand fields such as healthcare, business and office technologies, and computer information systems.

You can gain that knowledge faster than at traditional four-year colleges and universities.  In Georgia, its 600 certificate, diploma, and degree programs can be completed in six months to two years, depending on the program. That’s much like other areas of the county, and the costs are low ($2,100 is the annual tuition and fee average in Georgia).

And the interesting thing is that technical colleges have a diversity of ages among the students enrolled. The schools in Georgia are seeing an increase in students under 21, with recent high school graduates joining experienced workers in the classrooms. Having that diversity of ages in programs is beneficial to everyone, preparing you for a multi-generational workplace.

You may be among those who have lost jobs or are just ready for a different career path, and technical colleges are an affordable route worth considering.

-Lori Johnston