Sarah Wilson

Details

Foodservice Technician, Irving Independent School District
Irving, TX
Age: 18
Education: High school graduate; attending North Lake Community College
Years at organization: 1

Why Selected?

Michael Rosenberger, director of food & nutrition services for Irving ISD, says: Sarah first joined the department during her senior year in high school as a paid intern. She excelled and upon graduation was offered a full-time position. Sarah, considering her young age, is very ambitious and has clear, defined goals that she is already starting to accomplish. Her culinary skills are remarkable and she is a natural at customer service. She embodies the philosophy that her customer is anyone who is not her.

Get to know

Q. What has been your proudest accomplishment?

Getting the internship because I was really working hard for a job and I really wanted to get in the industry because I love food. I was really glad I got the internship with foodservice because I want to be a dietitian.

Q. What would you say you excel at over more seasoned colleagues?

I’m really adaptable with what the department has me do in the kitchen. I’ve been to a lot of different kitchens with catering and working at a summer school program. I know how to move around to the different areas in the kitchen.

Q. What's the best career advice you've been given?

Education comes first. I’ve seen so many people who get started in their career and can’t go back to school. Also not to get too caught up in your career and to learn how to better yourself.

Q. What's been the biggest challenge you've had to overcome?

Being young and not having much experience going into the workforce. This was my first job. I had [only one year] experience in a culinary program.

Q. What's been your most rewarding moment?

When the kids come up to me and tell me how much they love the food. There’s one kid who always says, “I really appreciate everything you do for me.” When you’re having a bad day and you’re tired, it puts a smile on your face.

Q. What would you like to accomplish in your career in the next two years?

I really want to transfer to a different university. I want to get into a dietetics program. Right now I’m working on my basics.

Q. What's been your funniest on-the-job disaster?

On the last day of summer school we made orange chicken. The kids love it so we made 250 servings. Only 14 kids showed up. No one told us they were having testing on the last day so we prepared all this food and had to throw it all away. The orange chicken pans were the messiest to clean.