Melbourne High

The School to Work program gave juniors real-world experience before they graduated, and two students took full advantage of the opportunity. Junior Nashir Brown balanced classes with a fast-paced job at McDonald’s, while junior Jacob Fulford gained hands-on experience at Texas Roadhouse. Both students said the program helped them build responsibility, confidence, and career skills during their junior year. Through after-school shifts and weekend hours, they stepped into professional environments and learned what employers expected from young workers.

Nashir Brown worked at McDonald’s, where he handled customer orders, prepared food, and maintained a clean workspace during busy shifts. Brown said he wanted to join the School to Work program because he “wanted to gain experience and start building a work history early.” He explained that he learned how to communicate clearly with customers and coworkers. “I learned how to stay calm when it gets really busy,” Brown said. He also shared that balancing school and work challenged him to manage his time wisely. “I had to plan ahead so I could finish my assignments and still show up ready to work,” Brown added. According to Brown, the experience helped him become more independent and financially responsible.

Jacob Fulford worked at Texas Roadhouse, where he assisted staff members, supported food service operations, and ensured guests received quality service. Fulford said he joined the program to explore potential career paths and gain firsthand knowledge of the workplace. “I wanted to see what it was like to work in a real restaurant and learn skills I couldn’t learn in a classroom,” Fulford said. He described how teamwork played a major role in his success. “Everyone had to work together to make sure customers had a good experience,” Fulford explained. Fulford also noted that the fast-paced environment strengthened his work ethic. “This job taught me to stay focused and take responsibility for my role,” he said. Both Brown and Fulford demonstrated how the School to Work program prepared students for life beyond high school by connecting classroom learning with practical experience.

Jacob Fulford and Nashir Brown sit at a cafeteria table during lunch talking about their experiences in the School to Work program at their school. “I wanted to see what it was like to work in a real restaurant,” Fulford says, while Brown adds, “I learned how to stay calm when it gets really busy,” as they explain how the program is helping them build real-world job skills.