Managing an Elementary School Cafeteria

I only have one more week before I take over as manager in an elementary school cafeteria.  I will be focusing on getting comfortable filling out production sheets on my own, understanding reports and submitting grocery orders.  Before this rotation, I had no idea what managing a food service operation demanded.  I have learned that managing is not just about discipline and managing your employees.  It is about helping your employees to do their jobs the best that they can by making sure they have all the necessary tools to perform their job duties.     

One thing that college gave me was a consistent schedule each semester.  It may have taken a couple weeks for me to adjust to my new class schedule but by week three I had it pretty much figured out.  My internship has thrown me for a bit of a loop because my schedule is constantly changing and as soon as I develop a routine in one rotation, another one begins.  Up until a couple weeks ago I was treating my internship as more of a job where I would focus on my internship for 8 hours a day, five days a week.  I have set aside at least one evening a week now, more if needed, to work on internship assignments, homework and research.  Having a schedule and time set aside to do various tasks has helped me to get my focus back where it needs to be.  It is more difficult now that I do not have the routine of college life but I am glad I am able to apply some of the time management skills I learned during my undergrad to my life during my internship.  

By: Amanda Bot