Spring Break
Economy doesn't deter students' love of food
TIFFANY STEVENS
Issue date: 4/21/09 Section: News
Students entering the food service industry may not be entering a more stable job market, University Food Service director said.
J. Michael Floyd, director of University Food Services, said the food industry has seen the same amount of economic stress as many other industries.
"I don't know if the hospitality industry has really seen growth during this economic period," he said. A lot of hospitality services are reporting record losses as well."
Floyd said many journals that cover the food service industry have published accounts about how the economy has been hurting many upscale restaurants and food service career opportunities.
"A lot of the big tourist industries have reported a drop. A lot of the theme parks have also reported a drop. The hospitality industry in Athens has been hit pretty hard by the economy too," Floyd said. "A lot of people are scaling back their dining out experience. A lot of people that would go to a nicer restaurant are going to mid-range restaurants or fast food restaurants. Places like McDonalds are reporting record sales."
Despite the hardships facing many restaurants today, University students continue to show an interest in jobs related the food service industry, Floyd said.
"I know that [University dining halls] have the largest number of students applying for student jobs," Floyd said. "We've always had a lot of students interested in our student management program. We've always had a lot of applicants, and have always chosen very well to fill the slots."
Despite the interest in working for the dining halls, Rakesh Singh, director of Food Services, said Monday in a phone interview the Food Science department has not seen a significant increase in students in the past few years.
"We saw an increase about five years ago, but now we have stabilized," Singh said.
Despite the poor economic conditions, he said food science majors could expect to find jobs after graduation.
"Companies are very passionate about expanding and hiring," Singh said. "Our students usually get two or three offers on graduating, but they will all at least one."
It may be shaky, he said, but companies have continued to be profitable enough to support employees.
"Everybody loves to eat. The industry is very stable and our students are very happy with their prospects," Singh said.
J. Michael Floyd, director of University Food Services, said the food industry has seen the same amount of economic stress as many other industries.
"I don't know if the hospitality industry has really seen growth during this economic period," he said. A lot of hospitality services are reporting record losses as well."
Floyd said many journals that cover the food service industry have published accounts about how the economy has been hurting many upscale restaurants and food service career opportunities.
"A lot of the big tourist industries have reported a drop. A lot of the theme parks have also reported a drop. The hospitality industry in Athens has been hit pretty hard by the economy too," Floyd said. "A lot of people are scaling back their dining out experience. A lot of people that would go to a nicer restaurant are going to mid-range restaurants or fast food restaurants. Places like McDonalds are reporting record sales."
Despite the hardships facing many restaurants today, University students continue to show an interest in jobs related the food service industry, Floyd said.
"I know that [University dining halls] have the largest number of students applying for student jobs," Floyd said. "We've always had a lot of students interested in our student management program. We've always had a lot of applicants, and have always chosen very well to fill the slots."
Despite the interest in working for the dining halls, Rakesh Singh, director of Food Services, said Monday in a phone interview the Food Science department has not seen a significant increase in students in the past few years.
"We saw an increase about five years ago, but now we have stabilized," Singh said.
Despite the poor economic conditions, he said food science majors could expect to find jobs after graduation.
"Companies are very passionate about expanding and hiring," Singh said. "Our students usually get two or three offers on graduating, but they will all at least one."
It may be shaky, he said, but companies have continued to be profitable enough to support employees.
"Everybody loves to eat. The industry is very stable and our students are very happy with their prospects," Singh said.
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