Home economics: This department has changed greatly over the years. It is no longer made up of courses which girls take just to learn how to cook and sew. Most home economics departments are now open to boys as well as girls, and they offer two years of food classes. These classes teach the basic principles of food preparation. Students learn how to work in kitchen centers and how to use equipment safely. They study the nutritional value of foods and get a basic understanding of food preservation. In food lab courses, students actually get hands-on experience in measuring, recipe reading, microwave cooking, menu planning and applying the principles of good cooking that are taught in the class. These classes help students feel at home with food preparation and make them knowledgeable about nutrition.
Computer science: More and more fast food restaurants are using computers to keep inventory records, do sales figures, and maintain employees' records. Furthermore, the use of computers in managing a store will increase as more and more record keeping is handled on computers. Fast food employees, especially at the managerial level, will need to know how to use a computer. They will need to know how to enter data and have a basic understanding of how the computer works. Soon computer knowledge will be required of managers.
Already the fast food industry uses the computer to help handle many traditional number-based management jobs like budgeting, forecasting, production, and waste and inventory control. The computer is also being used to assemble reports, check inventory, place orders, and check bills. In fact, many computers are directly tied to the cash registers so that managers can check on many different aspects of sales, including the popularity of a certain item. A basic course in computer science should provide all the computer skills most fast food employees will need. While computers will never be able to replace the smile of the fast food employee, they have made and will continue to make the work in the fast food industry easier to handle.
Typing: Data are entered into computers by using a keyboard which has the same placement of letters and numbers as a typewriter. For a fast food worker to enter data into a computer rapidly, skill in typing is essential. It is also helpful for people pursuing a career in fast foods to be able to type reports that are required by their company. And it is simply practical for fast food employees to be able to type business letters, reports, and advertisements rather than writing them out in longhand.
Basic mathematics: A knowledge of basic mathematics is a must even for an entry-level employee in fast food. Although much of the calculation is now done by machines, workers should nevertheless be able to add and subtract in order to give customers back the correct change in a quick and efficient manner. But if you want to climb the ladder to become an assistant manager or manager, you will need to know more than addition and subtraction, as you will also be responsible for the cash drawers, making bank deposits, keeping track of inventory, figuring sales each hour or half-hour, and doing countless other jobs that require good math skills.
Business courses: It is very helpful for those who want to go up the fast food ladder to understand basic business vocabulary as well as some accounting. They should also possess a general knowledge of how businesses function. Many high schools are now offering a wider variety of business courses. Courses like business communications, business computers, business law, organization and management, bookkeeping, and accounting can fill part of this need for knowledge. Prospective fast food career employees should also consider a basic marketing class in order to learn about economics, retailing, consumer purchasing, employment skills, and marketing math.
Speech courses: Fast food is a people-oriented industry. Entry-level workers need to be able to speak comfortably and confidently with customers. Supervisors and managers have to give clear directions to employees and handle customer complaints tactfully. In the fast food industry, you are working with people all the time and must be able to express yourself in the appropriate manner. A speech course can help you learn how to be an effective speaker in a variety of situations.
Foreign language: In certain areas of the United States, a high percentage of the population has a language other than English as its first language-for example, Spanish. Fast food workers who live in one of these areas can find the knowledge of this language helpful in both speaking to workers and to other employees. In addition, knowing a foreign language can open up opportunities for working in the international division of one of the fast food companies. Some high schools may also teach sign language, which can be useful in dealing with hearing-impaired customers.
Entrepreneurship: Many fast food workers dream of owning their own restaurant. In an entrepreneurship class, students learn about what is involved in starting a business.
Vocational programs: Some high schools give students the opportunity to take vocational training. These courses are often tied to job internships giving students valuable work experience. Upon completion of such courses, students are ready to start their careers right after finishing high school.
Clubs: There are two high school clubs that are helpful for those planning to work in fast food. They are VICA (Vocational Industry Clubs of America) and DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America). Both clubs have local, state, and national chapters.
