THe Top meTropolITan area
for leIsure Travel In TeXas Is dallas/forT worTH.
teams. “We have programs in culinary arts, get to Work
food and beverage service, and baking and Kelly encourages his students to pursue part-
CReATe a Career
pastry, as well as in the leadership area,” says time jobs, which are plentiful for students
PoRTFoLio
Janet Conner, executive director of SkillsUSA beginning in Hospitality & Tourism.
Texas. “The competitions are all judged by “I recommend that students work while
One valuable tool that can help you get
businesspeople. We are giving students avenues they’re in high school,” he says. “If they can
ready for college and beyond is a career
to know what to expect when they get into the balance family life, school life, and a job, it
portfolio—a collection of items that
world of work.” makes them respect people who are busy, it
document your achievements both in
Prestigious postsecondary schools such makes them respect a dollar, and respect family
and out of school, assembled in one
as the Culinary Institute of America and relationships. They learn to be contributing
convenient package.
Johnson and Wales University, two leaders in members of family and community. They not
A career portfolio is not simply
the field of culinary arts, consistently provide only learn the business, they learn to function
a resume, although it can certainly
scholarships to STAR Event and SkillsUSA as well-rounded young adults.”
include one. So what should go in a
event winners.
career portfolio? A variety of things,
depending on your own personal
experiences. It could include transcripts
S P O T L I G H T
and grades; writing samples; letters
of recommendation from teachers,
mentors, or employers; awards you’ve
received; and items that document
BE A StAR other activities, such as internships and
Family, Career and Community Leaders of America
job shadowing experiences.
“You need to be specific—dates, how
D
o you have what it takes to be a sTar? To find for career and
many years, any awards, what they
out, join family, career and community leaders Technology
meant, and who you received them
of america (fccla) and compete in its regional, state, education (ccTe)
from,” says Grace Brauchle, who helps
and national students Taking action with recognition in el paso. He
students put their portfolios together
(sTar) events. competed in the
as the career center coordinator for
fccla is a national student organization dedicated culinary sTar
Lehman High School in Kyle.
to career development, but it’s also much more than event in 2006,
Brauchle says portfolios come in
that, says sharon pierce, state advisor for Texas and not only did
handy when students apply for jobs or
fccla. “we teach students in the organization to he win at regional
admission to college. “First impressions
be good family members, great community leaders, competition—he won at state. “It’s like an Iron chef
are a very big thing,” she says, “and
and we let them focus on their Hospitality & Tourism competition—you get the whole menu, and you have
you want to be the one whose papers
careers in a way that’s really fun,” she says. “we teach an hour to create everything,” he says. “I went to
get passed around the office. You want
them how to be a productive member of society and a national and received a gold rating. It was totally crazy.
to be the one where the admissions
good wage earner.” I was really proud.”
counselors say, ‘Wow, look at this one!’”
Tied tightly to hospitality and culinary arts and that is the point, says moya’s teacher, ccTe
And a portfolio doesn’t have to be
curricula in many Texas schools, fccla activities culinary arts Instructor sharon erwin: “participating
simply a collection of papers. Artists
include community involvement, volunteer work, gives the student a good background in the social and
and photographers use their portfolios
leadership and communication skills development, professional skills, as well as the leadership abilities,
to provide visual examples of their
and competitions with opportunities for recognition they’ll need when they go into the culinary field. It’s a
work, and so can you. Do you have
and scholarships. “we have hospitality, culinary arts, competitive field, and competing in programs like sTar
photos of someone giving you an
and customer service competitive events, as well events lets them see they have to consider putting
award? Put them in. How about a video
as entrepreneurship events that could encompass the food on the plate in time, food flavor, personal
of a performance? Include it on a DVD.
any hospitality or tourism business,” says pierce. appearance, presentation—everything.” students are
Do you have experience in Web design?
“It’s exciting!” also given the opportunity to participate in a state level
Make an online portfolio to showcase
You don’t have to tell that to michael moya, who’s competitive event, serving up success, which focuses
what you can do.
a senior in the culinary arts program at the center on customer service in the hospitality industry.
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