Working toward goals

Bilal Abdullah has big plans. The 18-year-old senior at Healdsburg High School sees himself one day making the big decisions at a big company for a big paycheck.

"I want to be somebody like a president or something," Abdullah said. "It doesn't really matter what kind of business."

In pursuit of that goal, Abdullah -- along with about 340 teenagers from around the county -- attended a job fair Thursday at the Veterans Memorial Hall in Santa Rosa, more than twice the number the event drew last year.

Organizers attributed the sharp increase to a broader outreach program and the involvement of celebrity chef Guy Fieri, the Santa Rosa restaurateur who in 2006 won "The Next Food Network Star" competition.

"I watched so many restaurants go out of business because people were jumping into the ring without all the tools," said Fieri, the spike-haired, chunky jewelry wearing owner of the Tex Wasabi's and Johnny Garlic's restaurant chains.

In a presentation that was part motivational, part biographic and unusually down-to-earth, Fieri counseled kids on everything from job interview etiquette to following their dreams to having patience when success doesn't happen as quickly as they'd like.

"I think he truly connected to the kids," said Karen Fies, executive director of the county's Workforce Investment Board, which sponsored the event, called "Job Flavor: Ingredients for Success."

Fieri was a big hit because he's an example for teens of how they can succeed and still be themselves, Fies said.

He expressed admiration for those who are passionate go-getters willing to work hard to achieve their goals.

"You're in the game. Anyone that's in the game, I'm with you," Fieri said. "One person doing it is more than 1,000 people talking about doing it."

Abdullah said he enjoyed listening to the career lessons Fieri imparted, particularly his admission that he didn't always have his act together.

"I liked how he talked about how he realized he wasn't really ready when he was 21," Abdullah said.

Even though Fieri knew early on that he wanted to own his own restaurant, he said he needed to temper that ambition as a young man by working less glamorous jobs that nevertheless built the foundation for his success.

"I put goals in front of myself all the time," he said.

About 36 local employers were on hand to talk to young people ages 16 to 21 about 1,500 job opportunities in the county.

Jackie Duncan, owner of two UPS stores in Santa Rosa, was hoping to find reliable entry-level employees. Her company has a job opening now, but applicants often don't even follow basic instructions, she said.

Meeting people face-to-face can be more productive. A scavenger hunt required teens to find a local business owner in the room and ask them three questions. While there was plenty of moping, slouching, gum-chewing and text-messaging to be found, Duncan said one teen in particular did everything right.

She had a firm handshake, made eye contact, flashed a pleasant smile and was direct but polite in her questions, Duncan said.

"I was totally impressed, but she's probably got a job already if she was that good," Duncan said.

You can reach Staff Writer Kevin McCallum at 521-5207 or kevin.mccallum@pressdemo

crat.com.