Banking? Restaurants? Hotel trades? A wide range of jobs opportunities is available in these fields according to representatives in Hacienda Business Park.

Bart Goldberg, Director of Food and Beverage at the Velvet Turtle, says that "for high school students, whether going to college or not, there are definite opportunities in the restaurant field." Goldberg points out that the training received in hotel and restaurant schools or places like the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco open the doors to management careers. "But, there are advantages to working your way up. Practical experience is something that can't be replaced," he adds.

Goldberg attended the University of Michigan's four year hotel and restaurant school. ln a program like that, he says, you learn how restaurants and hotels are operated. Courses cover the whole gamut of subjects: cooking, accounting, table service, computers, building and design. But a two year program like that at Diablo Valley College allows one to pick up courses as needed.

Restaurants are also receptive to .the part-timer, students or housewives looking to earn extra money. "There's a great opportunity to make quick money and the hours are flexible," he says. Liking people and being able to deal with them are important traits in restaurant work. And motivated students or mature persons going back to work are welcome applicants.

Steve Salvatore, Sheraton General Manager echoes much of what Goldberg told us. "Operating a hotel is an intensified operation. We have 216 rooms multiplied by 365 days a year," he says The job responsibilities involved in keeping the hotel running smoothly range from housekeeping 10 sales and operations. Salvatore himself went through a year and a half training program at the Sheraton franchise operations in Sunnyvale and Bakersfield. He was instructed in all phases of hotel operations: housekeeping, scheduling, purchasing, personnel and management.

He says, "a college degree helps but hands-on experience is just as important." When hiring, the Sheraton looks for personality and attitude as much as anything, he adds. The flexibility of hours and choice of three work shifts is appealing to part-timers, like students. but "we're always looking for full-timers," he adds.

Salvatore started out in the business as a bar manager and worked his way up. Before becoming general manager of the Pleasanton Sheraton, he was sales manager of the York Hotel in San Francisco and Food and Beverage Manager of the Durant in Berkeley

Kay Kenney, Senior Vice President of Amador Savings and Loan described the entry level and management level positions available in banking. Amador Savings and Loan will be opening a new branch in Amador Center on Santa Rita Road and Kenny says there are opportunities for tellers, both part-time and full-time.

Bank telling is an entry level job and is perfect for high school graduates and/or people looking for a job after years out of the workforce. Tellers are trained by the bank and are given a broad range of experience with figures. Kenney suggests basic and general bookkeeping courses, typing and business machines for those who wish to get a head start.

Those who ·are interested in management level positions should have banking or savings and loan experience in operations. This means experience in supervision, accounting procedures, finances, loans and customer counseling.

Anah Bottini, personnel officer for Community First National Bank, told us a good solid business background is a must. In whichever department one works, a good head for figures is needed. High praise was expressed for women re-entering the workforce. Bottini says they are sought because they have proved to be good, reliable workers w(Jo are willing to start at the bottom, work their way up and learn everything a long the way. She says positions as statement file clerks and assistant bookkeepers are always looking to be filled. Computer and typing skills are a plus for any bank work. There are five Community First branches in the Valley and Bottini says they always accept applications.

To see a reproduction of the original article and edition of Pleasanton Pathways, visit: September 9, 1986 Pathways.