Getting involved with ProStart and HTMP

Would you like to make a meaningful difference in the lives of tomorrow’s foodservice leaders? Perhaps, you're looking for ways to give back to your local community. Maybe, you're looking for ways to expand your professional network. Whatever inspires your involvement, we offer terrific opportunities to mentor students, serve as a competition judge or host tours at your establishment. Read on to learn more, and when you're ready to get going, contact us using the form at the bottom of the page.

Students aren't the only ones to benefit. By serving as a mentor or coach, you have the chance to:

• Share your real-world experience with an enthusiastic workforce
• Enhance your supervisory skills, and those of your staff, while providing students insight and feedback
• Build your own pipeline of qualified, interested pool of employees
• Generate positive public relations for your business – mentors often receive recognition in the media
• Expand your professional network in Minnesota and nationally by connecting to other mentors
• Make a lasting impact on students’ lives, and expect the same in return

 
Mentor and coach students
Whether its in the classroom, as a team coach or through individual internship experiences in your establishment, students will benefit from your experience and advice. Mentors share their knowledge on culinary and management techniques, the business aspects of the industry, competition preparation, and more.

Recruit employees
ProStart and HTMP students and graduates have signaled their strong interest in the hospitality industry by gaining the  foundational skills for success in a variety of foodservice and hospitality management roles.​
 
Connect with the classroom
The presence of hospitality industry professionals in the classroom brings the practical world of your business to what students are learning through their studies and practice. Ways to impact classroom learning include:

• Be a guest speaker
• Conduct a hands-on demo
• Offer a fieldtrip to your place of business
• Donate products or equipment

 
Support student programs
Your support of the Minnesota ProStart program can help in a variety of ways:

• Participate in student events, sponsor a team, or support travel to state and national competitions
• Donate to our scholarship program, including setting up a scholarship in your name or the name of your business
• Sponsor a classroom by providing financial support or donating necessary supplies
• Sponsor an educator through grants, professional development conference registrations and covering travel expenses
• Advocate for the program in your local district and at the state legislature

These are just a few of the ways to get involved. We welcome others you may have.