Culinary Connect: Finding Jobs and So Much More

Discover How CIA Students Find Externships and Career Opportunities Through Exclusive Industry Connections and Support

“‘Mise en Place’ and ‘Utilization of Resources’ are phrases that are spoken every day on campus. These phrases don’t just apply to the kitchen—they apply to all the tools you have as a CIA student,” explains Ronald Hayes, associate director of career and academic advising. “Your Career and Academic Advisor is a resource for your success while at CIA and in making the transition from college to career. CIA students should build in time in their prep list to meet with their advisor at least once a semester to talk about their path during and after CIA—goals, thoughts, changing experiences, and how these can be leveraged for their next steps after graduation.” His insight serves as a reminder that succuss at CIA isn’t just about what you do in the kitchen, but how you take advantage of every resource available to you.

What could be better than a service that features job opportunities from employers who specifically want your skills? How about a service that you have free access to as a CIA student and as a graduate! It’s called Culinary Connect, and it’s only a click away.

Attending a culinary school is more than learning techniques in the kitchen—it’s about building a successful career. For current students and alumni, Culinary Connect is one of the most valuable resources the institute has to offer! This career dedicated platform is designed to help students and alumni find externships, part-time jobs, and full-time work opportunities within the hospitality and food industry.

Find an Externship

Culinary Connect provides CIA students with a comprehensive support system that goes above and beyond regular job listings. The site offers direct access to employers in the restaurant, hotel, and baking industry. Currently, the database has over 3,600 job opportunities, and that number increases by the week, as hundreds of listings are added! This tool provides students with every opportunity they need to be successful in the industry.

Make Some Extra Cash

Students who could use some extra money but don’t want to commit to a full- or part-time job can check out the “Search for Temporary Jobs” filter. Individuals post cooking/serving/catering opportunities for private events on Culinary Connect; so, for example, students who are on campus during Thanksgiving break can make good money cooking a family’s holiday dinner. In addition, catering companies and clubs regularly post on Culinary Connect looking for event staff.

Get a Job After Graduating

Soon-to-be grads and alumni can see opportunities targeted to a wide range of experience levels for post-graduate employment. These are jobs that fit only our degree program majors, and they are from employers who specifically want to hire CIA students and grads. Even after we filter out the jobs and employers who don’t match our industry, there are 200+ new job postings in Culinary Connect every week.

Gather Employer Intel

Beyond its value when actively applying for a new job, Culinary Connect is also a useful research tool. Those 3,200+ internship listings are with companies who have a relationship with CIA. Even when students are not looking for an internship, they can leverage this relationship by using the contact information to prospect that employer.

Plan Your Career

Similarly, Culinary Connect can also be a career planning asset. What skills, abilities, and levels of education are employers looking for when hiring chefs, managers, product developers, salespeople, etc.? By looking through the listings, students can find commonalities that will help them shape their current application materials and provide direction as they move towards their career goals.

For current students, this site makes it easier to gain real world experience and secure meaningful employment. So, whether you’re exploring your first industry experience or preparing for life after graduation, Culinary Connect provides the tools, connections, and support to help you succeed.

For prospective students, Culinary Connect is one of many ways that shows CIA’s commitment to helping past and present students build long-lasting, successful careers. One of the biggest indicators of Culinary Connects’ impact is the countless student success stories who launched their career with the help of the platform.

Baking and Pastry Arts student, Anna Fain, found her externship location through Culinary Connect, here’s what she had to say. “I found my externship through Culinary Connect and I could not be more grateful! I was able to research a variety of opportunities and learn about different programs all over the country which helped me narrow down my choices and make my final decision. Many companies have their contact information listed clearly on their page, making it easy to apply. The interview process was nerve-racking, but it gave me confidence knowing that I found this opportunity through a trusted CIA resource. As I begin to prepare for my externship, I can tell that this experience aligns with my long-term goals. Culinary Connect truly helps turn classroom learning into a real-world opportunity!”

How It Works—A Step-by Step Guide to Culinary Connect

1. Access the Portal and Login

Students and alumni can access this page through CIA’s student poral homepage. Sign in using your CIA MainMenu username and password (Example: sarah.a.student NOT [email protected]). After logging in, users will see a dashboard showing various career search tools, job opportunities, and upcoming career events.

2. Building Your Profile

Once logged in, students have the opportunity to create a profile that is public to employers. You can add your resume, describe your past/present work experience, and display certifications. Having a complete profile helps employers find you and improves your recommendations!

3. Searching for an Externship

If you are looking for an externship, on the homepage select “jobs” from the menu. Next, select “position type” and check the externship box. This means that only externships opportunities will be shown, plus—the more you visit the site; it will begin to recognize your interests and will provide opportunities that fit what you are looking for.

For a more refined search, you can research specific cities, states, and even countries. You can also set a radius for job opportunities near your chosen location!

4. Connect with Employers

More than likely, employers’ contact information will be listed on their page and will state directly how they would like you to apply. (connect with multiple employers that spark your interest; it makes it easier to weigh the pros and cons when it comes time to make a decision!)