Mentored work experience: Meeting real world challenges

A. There are many reasons why students should participate, including:

• Gain real-world skills including practical work experience
• Get a head start toward an exciting and rewarding career
• Further education prior to pursuing a foodservice-related degree at a college or university
• Earn distinction with the ProStart National Certificate of Achievement

A. Here are a few options to consider in your community:

• Fine dining
• Full service
• Quick service
• School cafeteria
• Business cafeteria
• Sports park
• Theme park
• Nursing home
• Catering/banquet hall
• Hotel restaurant
• Supermarket foodservice
• Airport concessions
• Cruise ship
• Convention center
• Arena
• Day care facility
• Hospital

A. There are a number of ways to find a mentored work experience opportunity.

• Recruit a current industry supervisor as a mentor by using the Mentor’s Guide to help familiarize them with the ProStart program and the mentored work experience process
• Work with educators to identify opportunities in their area
• Contact their state restaurant association to find local restaurants
• Search the ProStart Job Board, powered by The Employment Guide
• Contact ProStart sponsors