MCDONALD'S, MORE THAN JUST BURGERS AND FRIES

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20 -- McDonald's or fondly known as 'Mekdi' among Malaysians, is not only offering popular fast food at affordable prices but also providing job and career opportunities to about 14,000 people from all walks of life.

As a company that has been established in the country for 38 years, McDonald’s is among the employers who provide many job opportunities to the people in this country, and in conjunction with the 63rd National Day celebration, the company once again opens its doors to locals interested in building a career with it.

Sharing her experience, McDonald's Malaysia Senior Director of Operations Felina Lim, 53, said she did not expect to last for 37 years with the company when she started working as a part-timer at the age of 16. 

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Felina, who is one of the longest-serving staff at the company described the leading restaurant as her “second home”.

"Career opportunities at McDonald's are plenty for anyone who wants to take the chance. McDonald's has never discriminated its employees, as long as they have a positive attitude and want to do their best, the road to success is widely opened," she said in a statement issued by McDonald's.

Despite being offered to continue her studies, Felina remained with McDonald's until she was promoted to restaurant manager at that time.

Due to her commitment, Felina was offered to undergo a professional course in food service at Hamburger University in Chicago, and later was promoted to the Training Department of McDonald's Malaysia headquarters.

"When I returned to Malaysia, I was like a 'sifu' (teacher) because I have to train McDonald's staff from various Asian markets, including from the Middle East on the latest operational system introduced back then.

"That was the beginning of my biggest success in McDonald's, that led me to the President Award, the most prestigious global award received by only one per cent of McDonald's employees worldwide," she said.

Just like Felina, Joanne Teh Swee Wah, 37, also started working at McDonald's as a part-time crew to earn some extra pocket money.

Teh decided to become McDonald's Guest Experience Leader (GEL) at McDonald's after finishing diploma in 2007.

"I really love McDonald's. Throughout 13 years, I feel like I'm in a one big family. Although, I have been working at six different restaurants, the close relationship (with colleagues) never changes, since I was single and now a mother of three," she said.

For Muhammad Izzuddin Rizal, 24, a McDelivery rider at Bangi McDonald's Drive-Thru, he was attracted to join the company after seeing positive changes in one of his friends who worked as a McDelivery rider.

"With the income as a rider, I have made my family happy in many occasions. I am able to provide a comfortable home, buy new furniture and take them on vacation. This is the most meaningful thing in my life," he said. 

Known as “rocket man” among his colleagues, he is one of the best McDelivery riders with the ability to deliver minimum 30 orders to customers per day.

Meanwhile, Restaurant General Manager, Khairul Azman Mohtar, 33, said team work is the secret of their success besides a good sales strategy plan.

"As a leader, I believe when there is passion in doing something, the sincerity will come later and everything will be smooth. This is what I have always tried to instil in each worker, especially the youth. 

"I feel satisfied when I get to see their positive changes, who I consider as my own younger siblings. The more success they gain, the happier and the more enthusiastic I am to carry out my duty every day," he said.

Appointed as a manager when he was only 18 years old, he said he wanted the staff, especially young people, to know about career development at McDonald's, and it is not just a temporary workplace.

Regardless of background and age, the renowned fast food company is ready to help anyone build a meaningful career through the job opportunities offered.

According to the statement, McDonald's serves over 13.5 million Malaysian customers a month in 300 restaurants nationwide.

Targeting to have 450 restaurants nationwide by 2025, McDonald's is committed to create another 10,000 job opportunities to Malaysians.

More interestingly, career chances are also open to the disabled (OKU). For the record, to date, more than 200 McDonald's employees are OKU comprising those with hearing problems, cerebral palsy, learning disability, and others.

The company is working with the Social Welfare Department, private OKU associations, Department of Labour, Social Security Organisation and special education institutions, to provide opportunities to the group to fulfill their potential and generate income.

Besides that, senior citizens aged 50 and above are also welcome to work at McDonald's.

"McDonald's believes equal opportunity is very important to enable the company to further develop.

"A total of 53 per cent of our restaurant managers are women. Those interested in building their career at McDonald's can visit https://www.maukerja.my/mcd/," according to the statement.

-- BERNAMA