Partnership Gives Students Education in Career Opportunities

NASHVILLE – Through partnership with Tennessee’s national award-winning Jobs for Tennessee Graduates program, Cracker Barrel Old County Store® today hosted the fifth annual Cracker Barrel Career Day for students across the state to learn about career opportunities in the restaurant and retail industries.

“These kinds of partnerships are what make our goal of seeing every student college- and career-ready a reality,” Education Commissioner Timothy Webb said. “We want to take advantage of every opportunity to educate our students about career options.”

Since 2004, more than 400 Jobs for Tennessee Graduates students have participated and learned about career opportunities through the partnership. Last year, Cracker Barrel provided Myers-Briggs assessments for students and two $500 scholarships to those who wanted to pursue culinary arts degrees.

This year, Cracker Barrel again provided Myers-Briggs assessments to all students participating in Cracker Barrel Career day and offered a $1000 scholarship to a student interested in pursuing a degree in the hospitality field. The scholarship will be awarded during the JTG state conference in April 2010.

“This event is always very exciting for the students,” said Betsy Houston, JTG Executive Director. “This partnership is just one avenue to reach them and encourage them to seek a career after high school and college.”

Students today participated in hands-on workshops at Cracker Barrel’s home office in Lebanon, Tenn.

 Jobs for Tennessee Graduates is a partnership between the Tennessee Department’s of Education, and Labor and Workforce Development. JTG works with high school seniors to ensure they graduate and are prepared for a career or higher education.

For more information, contact Rachel Woods at (615) 253-1960 or Rachel.Woods@tn.gov.
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