MentorAbility helped Devin to reconnect with his past cooking experience and confirmed how much he misses the satisfaction derived from those tasks.
* For privacy reasons, we have chosen the name “Devin” to tell this participant’s story
While participating in March of Dimes Canada (MODC) programming, Devin learned about MentorAbility and decided to participate. Given Devin’s past cooking experience and interests, he was matched with a mentor in the hospitality industry.
This mentor has collaborated many times with MODC, has ties with many employers, and is known for supporting individuals facing employment barriers. They operate in a multi-faceted kitchen and manage events like weddings that require overseeing various tasks at the same time.
During the mentorship, Devin explored the culinary offerings at the hotel, and many were novel experiences. Devin was able to ask the chef about working hours, kitchen tools, and certifications. He was exposed to the intricate workings of a large production kitchen with its varied tasks. The mentor also emphasized the broader aspects of their industry so that Devin can infuse fresh perspectives into work and industry conversations with others.
For Devin, MentorAbility served as a reconnection with his past cooking experience. It confirmed his ability to perform those tasks and how much he misses the satisfaction derived from them. This experience inspired Devin to consider returning to work in a kitchen and helped him to see the potential assets he could bring to the role.
The MentorAbility mentorship played a crucial role in supporting Devin to learn more about the current hospitality industry and to establish a network. He is continuing in the career exploration phase and is working on pre-employment and job development with a specific focus on a culinary and food services career.
We’ll be first in line to taste your culinary offerings, Devin!