Some area students are jumping at the chance to work… for free. The culinary arts internship at Ashley High School is giving students the chance to learn some skills in the kitchen and maybe even land a job.
Area restaurants have opened their doors to allow these teens first hand experience working in the food industry.
Seniors Morgan Fonvielle and Autumn Allen are interning at Quiznos. Both girls hope to pick up a summer job while they’re at it.
"It just kind of gives you an idea on how to get jobs and its a great opportunity to get a job, I think i'm going to be working here in the summer,” Morgan said.
"It makes it really easy to get a job. If you do good in your internship and keep a positive attitude, you'll do pretty good for the summer,” Autumn added.
In the eight-week internships, more than a dozen restaurants like Rucker Johns give students a sneak peak at what working in the food business is about.
With free job training in exchange for free labor, it's a win-win for the student and the restaurant.
"They learn communication skills, team work skills, waste control, health department standards...all that stuff your not going to get in another facility, you have to come to a restaurant,” said Thomas Woodman of Rucker Johns.
“Some of them are floundering a bit and are not sure what they want to do after they graduate from high school and this either lets them know this is for me or not and I need to choose something else,” said culinary arts teacher Angela Rigsbee.
As another part of their training, the culinary arts students also cater for on-campus events at Ashley, even school board meetings.
Culinary opportunity!
What a wonderful idea! Wish the idea had come about when I was in high school many years ago!
Sounds like a win-win situation!!