Bright Spots: ROP Internship Helps Adult Student Pursue Culinary Career

The Merced County Office of Education not only offers programs for students in K-12, but adults who seek employment skills and opportunities. 

Andrea Chavez was introduced to the county’s Adult Regional Occupational Program (ROP) during the Merced DiverseAbility Job Fair, where she represented the Early Education Program at MCOE.

“I originally wanted to be in the kitchen — I just wasn’t sure where,” Chavez said in the video highlighting her journey. “That’s when I spoke to my instructor, and she recommended I join the internship here in the Head Start Cooper Kitchen.”

The Head Start Kitchen, located at Cooper Avenue in Merced, provides meals for Head Start sites across Merced County. 

As part of the internship, Chavez gained hands-on experience preparing large meals and learning how to adjust recipes. She added that the structure and daily routine helped her realize her long-term goals. 

“I definitely am very grateful for MCOE for giving me the opportunity to be able to 
do the internship,” Chavez continued. “And to the Cooper Kitchen as well, because I was the first student that they were able to work with and hopefully not the last.”

Watch the Bright Spots video, here. 

The Bright Spots initiative spotlights individuals and programs making a positive impact across the Merced County Office of Education. To view more stories like this, visit mcoe.org/news.