Students participating at the 2018 Job Shadow Day at The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago. 

Job Shadow Day, March 21, 2018

The 2018 Job Shadow Day was hosted on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 at various locations through Chicagoland. The IRA Educational Foundation offered opportunities to more than 200 ProStart® students to participate at 36 host locations throughout Chicagoland. Students spent approximately four hours in a restaurant, bakery, or hotel to gain hands-on experience in the front of house/back of house. Thank you to our gracious and dedicated hosts who gave our ProStart® students a wonderful experience!

What is Job Shadow Day?

Job Shadow Day is a day local restaurants, hotels and businesses come together to offer ProStart® students the opportunity to gain a real-world view of the industry. This four (4) hour experience includes:

• Introduction/ Orientation to your operation
• Hands-on-learning experience (BOH, FOH, etc...)
• Lunch
• Question and answer session

Who are ProStart® students?

High school students studying culinary arts and hospitality management. The IRA Educational Foundation partners with schools to offer programming and opportunities to expose these students in the restaurant industry. ProStart® students have a vested interest in the industry and have had work-based learning experiences. Students are prepared to move on and succeed in college or a career in the industry.

How can ProStart® students participating in Job Shadow Day help my business?

ProStart® students want to work in the industry. Many ProStart® students have their sanitation certificate and have been trained in customer service. Students have benefited from direct exposure to the industry through Job Shadows, Field Trips, Job Readiness Training, and Chef mentors/ demonstrations. Their daily program and curriculum at school, along with the added opportunities, has prepared students to be a part of a variety of elements to the food-service industry.

Sign up to Support Job Shadow Day!

Please check back in October 2018 for the 2019 date and work-site registration form. 

What are the next steps once I sign up?

You will be contacted by the IRAEF with more information including a Work-site Partner Packet as well as information about the ProStart® students assigned to attend your operation for Job Shadow Day.

For more information, please contact the IRAEF at (312) 380-4117 or khawkins@illinoisrestaurants.org.