Spotlight on McDonald’s Archways to Opportunity™ Employee Education Program #mcdonalds #jobbenefits

It’s back-to-school time, which means many high school and college students are looking for part-time jobs to work before or after school. McDonald’s is a great option for them to consider! Via its innovative Archways to Opportunity program, McDonald’s and its independent local Owner/Operators are committed to helping their employees meet their educational goals. Archways to Opportunity™ offers McDonald’s employees several educational paths to follow:

• Earn a college degree
• Receive education and career planning advisory assistance
• Earn a high school diploma – this benefit is also extended to immediate family of McDonald’s employees
• Improve English language skills

Since starting in 2015, Archways to Opportunity has provided assistance to more than 38,500 McDonald’s employees nationwide! That breaks down to the following:

• More than $58 million in high school and college tuition assistance
• 26,000+ College Tuition Assistance awards
• 570+ Career Online High School Program graduates
• 6800+ English Under the Arches graduates (since 2007)

In addition to Archways for Opportunity benefits, McDonald’s management works with its student employees to provide flexible work schedules that are coordinated with their school schedules. Employees also receive one free meal per shift, which is a huge perk for busy students! 

Employees who are interested in pursuing a long-term career in McDonald’s management are identified as early as the interview process. These employees are then mentored closely by upper management throughout the McDonald’s management process, which is focused on promotion from within. 

Not a student? No problem! McDonald’s is also actively seeking to hire retirees. Working part-time at a local McDonald’s is an excellent way for retirees to supplement their income while staying active by interacting with the public.

Interested in working for McDonald’s? Simply visit the McDonald’s Careers page to get started…or text 36453. You may wonder what kind of person McDonald’s prefers to hire. Desiree Labrador, a San Antonio-based McDonald’s Marketing Assistant, recently told me she looks for one key trait during an interview: outgoing, friendly people with the ability to positively engage with customers. McDonald’s has specific processes and procedures in place that all employees learn to follow…but an outgoing personality is a natural characteristic not everyone has! Disclosure: I met with a management and PR team from one of the San Antonio area's largest McDonald's franchises to discuss the Archways to Opportunity program and other employee benefits. All opinions expressed are solely my own.