Aramark Celebrates Graduation of Project SEARCH Interns

At Aramark’s Global Headquarters in Philadelphia, the graduation of the latest cohort of Project SEARCH interns marked a key milestone in a growing workforce development program that is focused on expanding opportunities for neurodiverse students. The program, delivered through a partnership between Aramark and Mastery Charter Schools in Philadelphia, provides high school students with hands-on job training and career experience, helping bridge the gap between education and employment. 

With the close of its third year and the graduation of eight interns, the program continues to build a meaningful pipeline from classroom to workplace, with several former participants moving into roles across Aramark and beyond.  

“We are proud of our three-year partnership with Mastery Schools and Project SEARCH,” said Terry Kirk, Vice President of Human Resources, Aramark Student Nutrition. “It reflects our commitment to powering the potential of our interns, and the support from our operators and clients who have invested in their growth and development. This partnership has been a true win-win—students build skills and confidence beyond the classroom, while also becoming valuable associates who support our teams and strengthen our service culture. We are excited to continue building on this success in the years ahead.”

Project SEARCH, a national program that originated at a children's hospital, connects school districts, community partners and employers to provide students with immersive, workplace-based learning experiences. Aramark serves as the host business, offering real-world environments where interns can develop skills that will prepare them for the workforce upon graduation.  

Students in the program are in their final year of high school while participating, earning academic credit alongside valuable workforce experience. Each Aramark intern rotates through three 12-week job placements, gaining exposure to a variety of roles across culinary operations, workplace services, and corporate functions. Through each rotation, interns have the opportunity to work at an Aramark Student Nutrition account in the city, at the company’s global headquarters in various roles with Safety and Risk, the headquarters’ culinary team, and/or other departments. 

“Over the past three years, our partnership with Aramark has demonstrated the transformative power of investing in the potential of every student,” said Kristina Walrath, Deputy Chief of Specialized Services at Mastery Schools. “Through this partnership, students gain not only the skills and experiences needed to secure meaningful employment, but also the confidence and independence to pursue their goals beyond high school. Watching families celebrate their children's accomplishments at graduation is a powerful reminder that this work changes trajectories—not only for students, but for entire families who leave with a renewed vision of what the future can hold.”