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Mayor praises McDonald’s hiring day
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Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams
By Karl Henkel
YOUNGSTOWN
Mayor Jay Williams remembers his first real job as a 16-year-old at McDonald’s, where he earned a cool $3.35 an hour.
On Tuesday, Williams visited the McDonald’s at 609 E. Midlothian Blvd. — where the employees today make a little bit more — to support the fast-food chain’s National Hiring Day. It plans to hire 50,000 new workers nationwide, including 800 in the Valley.
“It teaches good work ethic,” Williams said. “It teaches you the value of life.
“You might start off flipping hamburgers or french fries like I did. But it provides a legitimate employment opportunity.”
More than 75 already had filled out applications by midday, said Brandy Starkey, general manager at the Midlothian McDonald’s. She said the turnout was “excellent” and expected to have upward of 200 applicants by the end of the day.
Her restaurant is planning to hire 10 employees immediately and 10 more in the next couple of weeks.
Starkey said she was impressed with many of the candidates’ experience, but also said those with little working background shouldn’t shy away from applying.
Williams cited Terrell Washington, the 25-year-old son of Youngstown entrepreneur and McDonald’s franchisee Herb Washington, as a good example of how even an entry-level position at McDonald’s isn’t just about drawing a paycheck, but that it could potentially lead to a higher-level job.
Washington, who started working at McDonald’s when he was 16, is in management training and eventually will take over the position at the Mahoning Avenue location.
He said his experience can serve as an example to others seeking employment at the company.
Washington said 75 percent of area managers started off behind the counter.