Faith Weber
Many believe after earning your bachelor’s degree, your career path is determined and set. But this was not the case for 24-year-old Faith Weber.
Faith started attending Valencia College in 2021, after earning her bachelor’s degree in behavioral and cognitive neuroscience from the University of Florida.
But while her brain told her to chart a course in neuroscience, her heart led her down a different path.
She says after earning her bachelor’s degree, she worked in research labs, only to realize her heart was truly not in it.
“I think the discipline is super interesting; it is just not what I wanted to do for a career,” Faith said.
Faith decided to take some time off and work in property management in her parents' company for two years, while she figured out what she wanted to do.
“I’ve always been a hobby baker and loved to decorate things,” Faith said. “I was going to pursue an MBA to open up my own business, but someone said I should go to pastry school.”
Faith said the Walt Disney World School of Culinary Arts and Hospitality at Valencia College was right in her back yard and says truthfully, she wasn’t sure if she wanted to attend the program because of her background in neuroscience.
“But I fell in love with the program, and I am so thankful that I found Valencia College because it has allowed me to learn about this field, but also focus on my own business.”
Faith said she had baked cakes with her mother for years and dabbled in selling cakes, which sparked her interest in earning a degree.
“I decided to pursue a degree in my craft rather than a general MBA, because I wanted to learn the science behind baking,” Faith said.
Faith is expected to graduate in May of 2023 with an Associate in Science in Baking and Pastry Management. She says she knows it is important for her to gain additional experience before fully diving into her own business post-graduation, which is why she decided to join a student culinary association.
One of those experiences popped up last fall, when Faith, as co-president of the Culinary and Confectionary Arts Student Association at Valencia College, was invited to travel to Washington, D.C. in 2022 to help decorate the gingerbread version of the U.S. Capitol.
For three days in October 2022, Faith, and fellow Valencia student Molly Donahue traveled to D.C. together. They spent the first day sanding down gingerbread to secure the foundation of the massive gingerbread creation. The second and third day consisted of construction, light installation, piping, and last-minute touches.
Faith said the Capitol’s executive chef gave them creative freedom when it came to decorating the gingerbread Capitol, so they decided to incorporate a very classy and elegant gingerbread house design.
While Molly focused on the design, Faith focused on the fine details such as the piping and the dome of the Capitol, harnessing the attention to detail that she uses in her own cookie business.
Faith Weber decorating the U.S. Capitol gingerbread house in Washington, D.C.
“We met so many amazing people and I am thankful we were able to work side by side with the executive chef,” Faith said.
Both Faith and Molly have been invited back to participate in next year’s gingerbread Capitol design.
Faith said this experience solidified her belief that her passion can become a career.
“I never thought I could have a career with baking; it was just always something I loved,” Faith said. “But suddenly, I realized it was so much more.”
Faith said she sees the connections made during her trip becoming long-term contacts and even potential customers.
With her graduation around the corner, Faith said she aims to focus on her business, By Faith Baking Co., full time after graduating.
Some of the cookie designs by Faith Weber under her business, By Faith Baking Co.
“My business focuses on custom sugar cookies, but the goal post-graduation is to eventually have my own storefront with a boutique or café feel,” Faith said.
She is currently working on her final semester, where she will not only earn her associate in science degree but three technical certifications.
“My advice to anyone who is nervous about pursuing a degree in culinary is there is always a career in something you love to do,” Faith said. “You just have to believe there is one.”
At Valencia College, we work every day to create a level playing field for college students of all backgrounds, fashioning a college where every student can succeed. And our students continue to amaze and surprise us. Read more of their stories.