Last November, more than 7,000 Metro Public School freshmen converged on the Music City Center to take part in the My Future, My Way Career Exploration Fair.   2015 was the seventh year for the fair, which gives young people a chance to visit dozens of displays staffed by Middle Tennessee employers and talk one-on-one with a teacher, a firefighter, a police officer, an IT technician or health care worker about what it takes to get a job in their industry.   The students can ask questions and are encouraged to take notes, but most of all, the career fair gives young people a sense of the type of education necessary to develop a career in a field that interests them.   After the fair, the students go back to their respective schools, discuss their experiences with prospective employers and write a short essay on what may have intrigued them about a profession or what they may have learned. A few weeks ago, two winning essays were selected, and the students who wrote them are being recognized by the Metro School Board on Tuesday.   John Overton High School student Lindsey Dao had a sense that she wanted to work in the health care field, but the career fair gave her the opportunity to explore a range of choices within health care.   Lindsey spent time talking to nurses and doctors from local hospitals and came away feeling that a career in pediatrics is her calling. The advice she received from a pediatrician from the Vanderbilt Pediatric Residency Program stuck with Lindsey: “Focus on school, focus on science.” She admitted she now sees a pathway from her classes in high school to a career she would love.   Nolan Carrasquillo, a freshman at Antioch High School, called the career exploration fair “amazing” and thanked the employers who explained in detail the qualifications someone would need to work in their field. He was a little surprised to see a band of talented musicians staffing one booth and talking to students about careers in the music industry between performances.   Nolan wrote that he came away from the experience with the sense that if he could find a profession he loved, hard work and persistence would pay off in the end.   Both students admitted there were employers who talked about professions that were interesting, but not the best fit for them. Lindsey acknowledged that the prospects for finding a career in IT would probably be pretty good if she went on to study that field after high school, but it probably isn’t for her. That’s okay. The career fair is as much about exploring possibilities and narrowing your choices as it is about finding your passion.   Like the members of the Metro Nashville School Board and the teachers and administrators at Overton and Antioch, I’ll be immensely proud of Lindsey and Nolan when they share their essays with the board.   They’re like the thousands of other Metro students I met at the career fair: bright, curious and ready with lots of good questions. I’m convinced that some day in the not-too-distant future, a company or organization is going to be pleased it hired young people like Lindsey and Nolan to help them succeed. Their future is bright, and I’m glad the career exploration fair played a part.   David Davoudpour is chairman and CEO of Shoney’s, Inc, a partner with the Metro Nashville Public Schools in sponsoring the My Future, My Way Career Exploration Fair.   The Tennessean originally featured this piece on Feb. 23, 2016. 

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Oct. 19, 2015  — Nothing says “Thank You” like a great burger and Shoney’s will prove it again, as the iconic all-American restaurant brand will thank our nation’s veterans and troops with a FREE All-American Burger™ in what has become a beloved tradition on Veterans Day, this year on Wednesday, November 11, 2015.   “For 68 years, Shoney’s has been an American treasure and has always been a ‘Welcome Home’ sign to America’s military,” said Davoudpour. “It’s one of our favorite days of the year as we get to honor our veterans and troops with a free burger as we thank those who protect our very freedom. Veterans, on your special day, and every day, we salute you.”   Davoudpour says service members will be treated to Shoney’s Signature favorite All-American Burger, a fresh, never frozen, hand-pattied, grain-fed, 100% ground beef, cooked to order burger, served on a toasted bun with lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, pickles and mayonnaise.   “It’s the best burger on the planet named after the greatest country on earth,” continued Davoudpour, “And it has been a guest favorite for generations.”   Since acquiring the great American eatery in 2007, Davoudpour has been on a driven and spirited mission to revitalize and reinvigorate Shoney’s, a family-friendly, southern style restaurant brand. Shoney’s was one of the first and, in its heyday, the premiere family casual dining concept in the United States. Shoney’s also served as a popular post-WWII family destination when it began serving guests 68 years ago. Davoudpour personally sees that an American flag flies proudly in front of his Shoney’s restaurants.   Shoney’s offer of a free All-American Burger to veterans and active duty military service members is available on Wednesday, November 11, 2015 at participating restaurants while supplies last. There is a limit of one per day per military service member and the offer is not valid in conjunction with any other offers. Shoney’s military guests will need to provide proof of military service. Offer is valid for Dine-in only and beverage, tax and gratuity are not included.

CEO David Davoudpour Wants to Say ‘Thank You’ to Those Who Fought for America’s Freedom by Offering Shoney’s Signature Favorite All-American Cheeseburger to All Veterans and Active Duty Military Members on Monday, May 25   Nashville, TN  (RestaurantNews.com)  Shoney’s®, America’s Dinner Table for 68 years, will honor America’s fallen military members this Memorial Day (Monday, May 25, 2015) by serving a free All-American Burger™ and fries to all veterans and active duty military members.   “It’s our way of remembering, honoring and saying ‘Thank You!’ to the heroes who fought for our freedom while treating our veterans and troops to a delicious All-American Burger and fries on Memorial Day,” said David Davoudpour, Chairman and CEO of Shoney’s.   According to Davoudpour, service members will be treated to Shoney’s Signature favorite All-American Burger (w/cheese if requested), a fresh-never-frozen, hand-pattied, grain-fed, 100% ground beef, cooked-to-order burger, served on a toasted corn-dusted bun with lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, pickles and mayonnaise. Fries are on the house as well.   “Our delicious All-American Burger with fries has been a guest favorite for many years and we are thrilled to serve them in honor of those who gave all,” said Davoudpour.   Since acquiring the great American eatery in 2007, Davoudpour has been on a driven and spirited mission to revitalize and reinvigorate Shoney’s, a family-friendly, southern style restaurant brand. Shoney’s was one of the first and, in its heyday, the premiere family casual dining concept in the United States. Shoney’s served as a popular post-WWII family destination when it began serving guests in 1947.   Davoudpour is dedicated to getting the famous brand back to its Glory Days through franchising. Shoney’s is now offering franchising opportunities to qualified single and multi-unit candidates. For more information, visit https://www.shoneys.com/franchising/  .     “For generations, Shoney’s has always been a ‘Welcome Home’ sign to America’s military,” said Davoudpour. “On Memorial Day, we look forward to welcoming our veterans and troops with a free burger as we remember those who made our very freedom possible.”   Shoney’s offer of a free All-American Burger to veterans and active duty military service members is available on Monday, May 25, 2015 at all Shoney’s restaurants while supplies last. There is a limit of one burger per military service member. The offer is not valid in conjunction with any other offers. Shoney’s military guests will need to provide proof of military service. Offer is valid for dine-in only. Drink, tax and gratuity are not included.