What do people think you do when you say your work in hospitality? Many who are not in the industry tend to think hospitality careers are limited to chefs, servers, bartenders, etc. But there are many other careers available, for example: Buyer for a Foodservice Company, Sales Representative for a Food Producer, Restaurant Franchise or Bar/Brewery Owner, Sommelier, Kitchen Equipment Design & Sales, and many more.
On Saturday, March 23, 2024, ACF Chefs of Las Vegas was proud to partner with UNLV Harrah College of Hospitality to host the inaugural Viva Careers: Discovering Hospitality Pathways career fair. The event aims to teach high school and college students about all of the career pathways available in the hospitality industry.
“ACF Chefs of Las Vegas’ goal is to expose the next generation of hospitality workers to the myriad of careers while offering real-world advice and opportunities for mentorship to get them there,” said Mark Sandoval, ACF Chefs of Las Vegas Chef of the Year 2023 and Executive Chef at University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Nearly a dozen companies came on-site to provide mentorship and employment opportunities to attendees including: College of Southern Nevada, Wolfgang Puck, Sysco, Nicholas & Company, MGM Resorts International, Panda Restaurant Group Inc., Chefs for Kids, Culinary Academy of Las Vegas, National Restaurant Association/ProStart, PepsiCo Foodservice, and ACF Chefs Las Vegas. Students met with representatives from each company to learn about different career avenues in the company, current entry-level positions/internships, and mentorship advice.
Another key element of the event was the workshops led by UNLV staff. Students gained valuable knowledge on how to craft the perfect resume as well as honed in on their interview skills. At the end of the day, two students, Ernesto Andrade from Rancho High School and Aliyah Robles from SECTA, received $500 scholarship each from Nevada Restaurant Association/ProStart and ACF Chefs of Las Vegas.
For those who attended, we hope you left with valuable connections and inspiration. For those who missed it, keep in touch for the next installment. Viva Careers is more than just a job fair; it’s a celebration of hospitality passion and a stepping stone to a brighter career.
Join our mailing list to stay tuned for next year’s event. Until next time, keep cooking and keep dreaming!
