Food Service: A potential career at any age

One place where older workers can thrive is the food service industry.  As long as you have the physical stamina, you can enjoy a great career.  And when  Epsom salts fail to heal your tired feet, then you can become an office worker and sit for prescribed hours of time per day (just kidding, that's hard work, too).  Seriously speaking, experienced employees know how to handle people, especially when it comes to the true culinary art of food service.

Younger Workers vs Older Workers

I remember age 21 like it was yesterday or was that day before yesterday? My career began at the famous Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.  It was opening night for the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon.  Still in its early years at that time, the event brought out a stellar array of legendary movie stars, TV personalities, and popular comedians.  So, there I was:  a bumbling busgirl, working in the darkened VIP section of the main floor restaurant, with no experience, clueless, clutching the apron strings of my micro-employer, Edith.  As her faithful employee, I followed Edith from booth to booth, amidst all of those luminaries traipsing around us, studying Edith,  an absolute professional, and I sought to mimic her every move.  I made a good case for young workers in those days because I was trainable, and young enough to endure the long, busy hours of the graveyard shift with springy feet.   Over a period of time, Edith taught me how to become an efficient food service worker.  My Dad was a Room Service Captain and from him I learned that my job could transition into a career; which in Las Vegas can be rewarding and exceptionally entertaining! 

Experience Pays Off

Because of the experience gained from Vegas, I was hired as part of the inaugural food server's staff at the Los Angeles Hilton Hotel and Towers.  After 15yrs, I ended my semi-illustrious career in that industry.  My food service resume ranges from working at a cozy neighborhood cafe' to a job at one of those restaurants where I was in one of those groups of hand-clapping clans of food servers singing loud, annoying versions of the Happy Birthday song.  (You know  who you are.) But to be fair, there are some really good, young food servers out there.  If they're really good and really young, then that probably means they started learning at an early age.  Maybe they're like me; they had an experienced  worker as a mentor.  Their experience shows and by giving you excellent service, they show you that it matters. 

Categories: Career Plan, Career Management & Transition, Changing Jobs or Careers