For Alaina Applewhite, the Culinary Job Training (CJT) program was a natural first step into the culinary field. “I’ve always loved to cook, and I knew I wanted to do something culinary-related,” Applewhite remembers, but other programs she researched felt overwhelming or intimidating.
After her mom saw Second Helpings’ CJT program on Facebook, and they learned more about it in person, “it felt like the kind of supportive place where I would do well.”
Applewhite’s seven weeks in Class 151 this winter flew by. “Even though this program was challenging, it went quickly because of the new module structure,” she explained. “I got to see my progress along the way and feel like I’ve accomplished something already!”
Second Helpings re-launched the CJT program this fall, breaking the curriculum into four structured modules, integrating more industry connection, and incorporating more celebration along the way.
This structure also gave Applewhite a glimpse of what could come next. Class 150 graduate Tiara Shelton spoke to the class about her job at Circle City Sweets. “She seemed to love her job, and that made me want to learn more,” Applewhite said. “I went home that night and researched the company. I thought it seemed like a great fit for me too.”
Circle City Sweets, owned by Chef Cindy Hawkins, is a dessert and bread shop in the AMP at 16 Tech.
Alaina completed her stage (job shadowing day) with Circle City Sweets during the last week of her CJT class and graduated on Nov. 18. A couple weeks later, she returned to Circle City Sweets as an intern.
During her three-week internship, Alaina learned all kinds of new recipes, including frosting and trimming a cake on her own and preparing macarons.
This internship was the first one fully funded by the new Ken Honeywell Continuing Education Fund, which creates a win-win scenario: it provides a paid learning opportunity for a graduate while at the same time creating an opportunity for a local business that might not be able to offer an internship otherwise.
Once Alaina completed her internship, “there was no interview process,” Alaina smiles. “It was really just a scheduling conversation, and I’ve been working as an official employee ever since!”
Although Alaina already has much to be proud of, she’s just getting started.
“I feel very confident learning here. I get the chance to learn so many new things and I love the sense of accomplishment I feel after doing something I’ve never done before.”