KIPP Atlanta Collegiate and Chick-fil-A Vine City launch jobs-and-mentoring effort for students’ career readiness

A work-based learning partnership takes shape in Vine City

An Atlanta high school and a nearby Chick-fil-A restaurant have launched a work-and-mentoring effort aimed at giving students paid job experience and exposure to career pathways. The partnership involves KIPP Atlanta Collegiate and Chick-fil-A Vine City, with participating students working shifts at the restaurant while continuing their coursework.

About 20 KIPP Atlanta students are employed through the program. School leaders describe the initiative as a structured entry point to workplace expectations and basic employability skills, paired with guidance intended to help students plan for next steps after graduation.

What students do on the job

Students’ day-to-day responsibilities mirror those of other restaurant team members, from managing fast-paced lunch periods to customer service and back-of-house tasks. Participants say the job requires learning time management, communication, and how to operate in high-volume settings—skills that translate beyond food service and are commonly emphasized by employers across industries.

School leaders involved with the partnership have framed the work component as a résumé-building opportunity for students who may have limited access to paid employment, professional networks, or formal career exploration programs.

Mentorship and advancement as stated components

Beyond wages and work experience, the program includes a mentorship component and the possibility of advancement. Organizers describe a pathway that can extend beyond entry-level roles, allowing students to pursue added responsibility over time and, for some, move toward leadership positions within the restaurant environment.

• Paid work experience for high school students during the school year
• Mentorship designed to support career planning and readiness
• Potential for progression into higher-responsibility roles

How the initiative fits into a broader ecosystem of youth programs

Chick-fil-A has operated multiple education-focused initiatives in metro Atlanta and nationally, including leadership development and mentorship programs connected to schools and community partners, and scholarship programs for restaurant team members and community leaders. Separately, the company has also supported structured leadership programming at schools through a long-running high school model that began in Atlanta and later expanded nationwide.

The KIPP Atlanta Collegiate partnership reflects a broader emphasis in education and workforce development on “earn-and-learn” models—programs that combine paid work with structured support, giving students both income and real-world experience while still in school.

Participants describe the experience as demanding during peak hours, but manageable with practice and support from coworkers and supervisors.

What to watch next

The key measures of impact will likely center on student retention in the program, attendance and academic performance while working, the quality and consistency of mentoring, and whether students translate the experience into postsecondary enrollment, certifications, or longer-term employment. Organizers have pointed to the program’s potential to broaden opportunity for students in low-income areas, especially through early access to paid work and adult mentorship.