Jennifer H.: From Teen Team Member to VP of Training
For Jennifer H., a career with Summerwood started much differently than it looks today. She joined Taco Bell as a teenager in South Jersey, looking for her first job. Decades later, Jennifer is our Vice President of Training, where she helps create the tools, resources and development opportunities that support team members throughout their careers.
“There really is a village. If you don’t have the answers, there’s always somebody to go to that’ll help you.” – Jennifer H., VP of Training
A Career Built One Step at a Time
Jennifer’s path through the restaurant business has included nearly every level of our career ladder. She started as a team member, became a Shift Leader shortly after turning 18, and continued advancing through roles including Associate General Manager (AGM) and Restaurant General Manager (RGM), all the way up to Region Coach.
Jennifer also earned her bachelor’s degree while working and raising a family, taking one course at a time until she graduated in her 30s. Training has remained a consistent thread through it all.
That motivation came from her own experience as a young team member. Jennifer’s early training was very different from the structured development resources available to her counterparts today, like our thoughtfully designed Summerwood Academy curriculum. She remembers being shy and quiet, and being pushed to speak up and learn through trial and error.
“I didn’t want other people to go through what I went through,” she says. “I wanted to make the path a little bit easier.”
For Jennifer, that means teaching people how to do their jobs correctly while also making sure they’re treated with respect and greeted with a safe, supportive environment in which to learn.
Driven by Experience
Jennifer’s career hasn’t followed a straight line, and that’s part of what has made it so valuable. Each new role she’s held has given her a different perspective on what team members and leaders need to succeed.
Jennifer doesn’t believe people have to start with a certain background or follow one specific path to build their career at Summerwood. What matters is having a willingness to keep learning and pursue opportunities along the way.
“It doesn’t matter who you are or where you started, it really is just about your drive, your passion and a little bit of luck,” she says.
Building Clear Paths to Advancement
Today, Jennifer and the rest of the Summerwood Training Department are focused on helping team members understand not only how to do their jobs but also how they can move up.
“We have all these paths to help with promotion,” Jennifer says. “If you’re a team member and want to become a Shift Leader, there’s a clear path to do it.”
That “path” is available through the Summerwood Academy, which provides classes and development tracks designed to support career growth. Jennifer and her team are there to help team members navigate what’s next for them.
“We’re always here to help people through the journey.” – Jennifer H., VP of Training
Still Learning, Still Growing
After decades with Taco Bell and Summerwood, Jennifer isn’t focused on reaching some final destination. Instead, she continues to look for ways to keep learning; to keep things fresh and help others grow along the way.
Training has been part of nearly every chapter of her career, and today she has the opportunity to help shape the training experience for our next generation of team members. Jennifer’s story is proof that a career can evolve in ways you never expect. Come find out for yourself! Join us.