From Summer Jobs to Career Dreams: Johnathan's Journey into Hospitality

For Johnathan Bartolomey, what began as a summer opportunity to earn money became a journey of growing confidence, new opportunities, and a passion for hospitality.

Encouraged by his uncle, Johnathan enrolled in YouthWorks through MassHire in the summer of 2024. During six weeks of virtual learning, he developed skills in budgeting, resume writing, and personal well-being.

“That summer opened my eyes to all that Masshire could offer me,” Johnathan recalled.

In 2025, Johnathan returned to YouthWorks and was placed at Sorbae Frozen Treats, working alongside owner Monica Ferracioli. There, he gained hands-on experience in food service while learning to work independently.

“While she spent so much time guiding me through each process, she also made sure to step back when needed to allow me to be independent,” he shared.

The experience left Johnathan with lasting memories and a growing interest in hospitality. “To me, the first summer that I spent in Sorbae will always be filled with nostalgia as I remember each customer interaction, the pop making, and always being able to taste test her products.”

Johnathan was rehired at Sorbae that fall, but when the business closed for the winter, he began searching for another job while navigating his senior year and college applications. After several unsuccessful attempts, an opportunity emerged during a school field trip to Southcoast Hospital. There, he met Courtney Shea, a dietitian and food service department manager, who encouraged him to apply for a position.

Drawing on interview skills developed through YouthWorks and his experience serving customers with dietary needs at Sorbae, Johnathan approached the interview with confidence.

“I left the interview confident and later that week I found out that I was hired!” he recalled.
With plans to attend the University of Massachusetts Amherst in fall 2026 to study Hospitality and Tourism Management, Johnathan looked forward to exploring the many career opportunities within the industry.

“I realized that there are so many more avenues of hospitality to consider than I was previously aware of and I want to explore everything,” he shared.

Reflecting on how far he has come, Johnathan credits his YouthWorks experiences with helping him develop the confidence to pursue his goals.

"If it weren’t for the summer internships at Masshire, and all the support I have received, I would not have the level of confidence nor have the skill sets and mindset to go after my dream of working in Hospitality Management,” Johnathan said.

About YouthWorks:

YouthWorks, administered by Commonwealth Corporation on behalf of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, provides year-round paid employment opportunities, career readiness training, and mentorship for Massachusetts youth ages 14 to 25, with a focus on young people facing barriers to employment.

Through partnerships with MassHire workforce boards, local employers, and community organizations, YouthWorks helps participants explore career pathways, gain real-world work experience, and develop essential workplace skills through its Signal Success career readiness curriculum.

For more information, visit: https://commcorp.org/youthworks