Students participate in job shadow program

Published Nov. 2, 2007
By Brandice J. Armstrong
Tinker Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE -- Three 16-year-olds ventured to Tinker Oct. 25, explored their love for cooking and learned how it translated to a career.
   They were among some 30 students from Oklahoma City's Capitol Hill High School who participated in a job shadow program on base. Other students explored careers in engineering, business, childcare, police services and medicine.
   "The job shadow program is an opportunity for the students to go beyond what they see," said John English, Force Development program analyst. "Many of them come from economically-challenged families."
   Elizabeth Gonzalez, Emirse Guerra and Exzanty Moore spent the morning with Melissa Beedle, executive chef and assistant club manager at the Tinker Club, who has more than 20 years experience.
   With her no-nonsense approach, Ms. Beedle spent the first hour answering questions and providing the girls with job specifics.
   "When you are a true chef, you work as and when required," she said. "You either love it or hate it. There's a lot of time when your personal life takes a back burner."
   Averaging 40 to 50 hours a week, Ms. Beedle said her schedules vary from Monday to Friday or Tuesday to Saturday. She said 16- or 17-hour days, seven days-a-week is common, especially during the holiday season.
   "You're on your feet all day long," Ms. Beedle said. "If you're looking for an office job or a job where you're just going to cook for a little bit, nope, this isn't it."
   She also said the average chef starting out in Oklahoma makes $30,000 per year and in the first year, will spend a majority of his time doing preparations, rather than actual cooking.
   Furthermore, Ms. Beedle said, most chefs have to wear many different hats and perform a variety of jobs including dishwasher, waiter, janitor and oven cleaner, because most kitchens have small staff.
   "You have to be prepared to do it all," Ms. Beedle said.
   At the Tinker Club, there are only three kitchen employees and two dishwashers. Yet, she said the job is quite rewarding and a great deal of fun.
   "I love working for the military, it's my way of giving back," Ms. Beedle said. "My philosophy is that if I can make their bellies happy, than I've done my job."
   Though it may not have been what the girls expected, they said they still want to pursue the career field.
   "I have a passion for cooking," said Exzanty, who cooks for her four younger sisters, their father, her older brother and mother. "I want to open my own restaurant."
   Elizabeth, who works part-time at McDonald's said, "I thought it would be easy, but (Ms. Beedle said) it's not. She was real straight, but I still want to be a chef."
   After Ms. Beedle's question and answer period, she let the girls tour the kitchen and assist her until their time concluded.

Job Shadow Program