Bourdain's earlier book, Kitchen Confidential is great and I highly recommend it. It also has a "So You Want to Be a Chef" chapter (perhaps they are the same).

http://www.amazon.com/Kitchen-Confidential-Updated-Adventure...

There was a time in my life when I aspired to be a chef and/or restaurateur. Later I concluded that it's better if some of your passions are simply left as that ... passions without the added burden of depending on them for your livelihood.

But I do think everyone should work at a restaurant at least once in their life. It's a customer-service learning experience and gives you an appreciation for the staff when you patronize restaurants later.