Posted: February 18th, 2023
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Activity 1: Selecting a Job
I selected pastry chef as my preferred career, not necessarily for the sake of our class activity, but for my future career. I chose this career because most of my uncles are a chef and I’m very close to them. They always tell me how this job has a lot of creative freedom despite the challenges that come with being a chef. I have also worked as a waiter before in one of the city hotels, and I liked what the pastry chefs were doing. You know, how they could work with other staff in the kitchen to plan and prepare desserts to be served with other food in the buffet pleasantly. I also loved how they could make and test new desserts and pastries. I also have a problem back home finding the right pastries to eat during breakfast. Learning how to prepare pastries like pies, tarts, donuts, croissants, Danishes, and scones will be a great asset to me, my family, and most probably to my colleagues here in class, who may want birthday cakes or any other related services.
Therefore, the purpose of this job will be to help me learn and be in a position to prepare fresh and a variety of food and snacks such as cakes, cookies, pies, and bread. This means that I will also save money used to buy expensive breakfasts and snacks in shops and ensure my family eats healthily. Wilson et al (2022) found that if the portions of snacking are too much, they can lead to excess calories and unwanted weight gain. This job is important because I will be in a position to control how much snacks my family eats and raise them healthily. According to the ZipRecruiter website, the hours and skills required of a pastry chef vary from one job to another, but I hope to work in either a hotel, a restaurant, a caterer, or a bakery.
After researching from O*NET Online, I discovered that pastry chef job duties and responsibilities include;
· Operate and manage the pastry section of a kitchen.
· Monitor and order ingredients, supplies, and equipment
· Ensure the bakery section of the kitchen adheres to health and safety regulations
· Identify staffing needs, propose recruitment of new personnel and train them
· Develop new seasonal recipes and menus and keep up with the latest trends
On the other hand, requirements and skills include;
· Proven experience as Pastry Chef, baker, or relevant role
· Great attention to detail and creativity
· Organizing and leadership skills
· Willingness to replenish professional knowledge
· In-depth knowledge of sanitation principles, food preparation, and baking techniques, and nutrition
· Working knowledge of baking with ingredient limitations (pastries that are gluten free, sugarless, etc.)
· Certificate or diploma in culinary arts, pastry-making, baking, or relevant field.
I also noted that the average hourly rate for Pastry Chef ranges from $27 to $35 with an average hourly pay of $31.
References
O*NET Online. Chefs and Head Cooks. https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/35-1011.00
Wilson, T., DeVaan, L. S., LaCasse, M. E., Gile, E. M., Weis, M. J., Ahmann, M. D., … & Hooks, T. L. (2022). Effect of Walnut Predinner Snack on Mealtime Hunger and Nutrient Intake Among University Students. Journal of Medicinal Food, 25(1), 89-96.
ZipRecruiter (n.d.). Where Do Pastry Chefs Work? https://www.ziprecruiter.com/e/Where-Do-Pastry-Chefs-Work#:~:text=Pastry%20chefs%20also%20work%20in,one%20job%20to%20
Activity 2: Selection Methods Use the job that you chose and researched in Activity 1 for this assignment.
Apply the relevant material from the textbook (Chapters 5-6), and from the presentations in the D2L Content section. Make clear and specific connections with that material as you address the questions about your chosen job. Cite the relevant resources in your answers.
Job 1. What is the job that you chose for the previous Activity 1 assignment?
Recruiting 2. Develop a recruitment plan to get the most qualified applicants for this position. Be specific about which methods/sources you would use to find applicants, and why you recommend using each of those methods/sources. 3. What specific challenges do you anticipate in trying to get qualified applicants for this job? Explain how your recruitment plan would help address those challenges.
Selection 4. Develop a selection plan for your job. In particular:
a) Identify which selection methods you would use, and why. (Be specific. For instance, if you choose to use “psychological test”, then specify which particular types of tests you would use.)
b) Specify the sequencing of the methods during the selection process (i.e., which come first, second, third, etc.) and briefly explain why you would use them in that order to assess applicants.
c) Which other selection methods did you choose not to use for this job? Briefly explain why each was not chosen for this job’s selection plan.
Foundations for Recruiting and Selection 5. Creating a plan to recruit qualified applicants for a job, and to assess the applicants’ potential for success on the job, requires important information about the job itself. Which area of I/O psychology provide the expertise for how to get that important job- related information?
SOLUTION
Choosing pastry chef as your preferred career is a great decision, especially if you have a passion for creating and experimenting with different flavors and textures. It’s wonderful to hear that you have been inspired by your uncles who are also chefs and that you have previous experience working as a waiter in a hotel.
As a pastry chef, you will have the opportunity to work collaboratively with other chefs in the kitchen, creating and preparing desserts and pastries that complement the overall menu. You will also have the freedom to experiment with different ingredients and techniques to create unique and delicious desserts that will delight your customers.
In addition, being able to prepare pastries and desserts at home for yourself and your family is also a great skill to have. You can use your creativity and expertise to create delicious treats that will impress your loved ones.
As you pursue this career, you can also consider gaining further education and training in pastry arts to enhance your skills and knowledge. This can include attending culinary schools or taking online courses that specialize in pastry and baking.
Overall, becoming a pastry chef can be a rewarding and fulfilling career, and I wish you all the best in your journey to achieve your goals.
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