Scholarships and Mentoring > Mentoring

Mentor. Educate. Motivate

Research indicates that restaurant and foodservice students with "career" mentors are more likely to pursue a long-term career in the industry. This promotes the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation's (NRAEF) Recruitment and Retention efforts in maintaining a workforce for the present and the future.

As the restaurant and foodservice industry continues to grow so does the need for an enthusiastic and skilled workforce. Restaurant industry employment is expected to continue to rise in the next decade, reaching 13.8 million in 2014.

To help encourage future leaders, the NRAEF developed a 'career' mentoring program aimed to assist in promoting and increasing awareness of the restaurant and foodservice industry. This program for graduating high school seniors and undergraduates that have been awarded a scholarship from the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation.

As a mentor volunteer you can make a significant difference in the life of one of these student stars of the future.

As a Mentor you can:

• Play a significant role in the lives of these young adults by serving as a team coach, counselor and role model;
• Receive personal satisfaction by helping a student realize his or her potential as a leader in the industry;
• Apply key learnings you obtain through this relationship to assist you in your supervisory and management skills;
• Assist with contributing these youth to our future industry

As a student studying to pursue a career in the restaurant and foodservice industry, you can make a significant commitment to yourself by becoming a student/mentee volunteer:. As a volunteer Student/Mentee, a 'career' mentor can assist you to:

• Learn how to better prepare yourself to get the most out of your career;
• Develop career goals that lend themselves to achieving the success you have always dreamed of becoming;
• Foster a relationship where you and your needs are the focus;
• Provide crucial feedback, insights, advice and encouragement during your educational period

Contact your local state restaurant association to find out how you can get involved or contact the NRAEF to learn more at scholars@nraef.org Remember this in an investment you owe yourself and the foodservice industry-your career of choice.