1 in 8 Crew Story: Elizabeth Gomez

Elizabeth Gomez, Chicago, IL

When Elizabeth Gomez first started working at McDonald’s as a teenager, she didn’t realize she’d taken the first step in discovering her lifelong passion – one within hospital walls.

While working as a crew member, Elizabeth became more aware of the additional opportunities McDonald’s provides its people. Discovering McDonald’s tuition assistance program, Archways to Opportunity, she soon began taking classes at Triton College in Illinois, hoping to enter the healthcare industry.

Thanks to on-the-job flexibility granted by her owner/operator, Michael Ojeda, Elizabeth was able to further her education, graduating from the school’s Surgical Technology program in May 2020 without student loans. And after passing the Certified Surgical Technologist exam, she accepted a position at Swedish Hospital in Chicago.

Now years later, Elizabeth recognizes how her profession in the medical field draws from the same skillsets she sharpened at McDonald’s. “In my job, you have to work as a team,” she says. “But instead of serving customers, we’re helping patients. You have to give them the best treatment, the same as you’d give a customer in the restaurant.”

From helping her crew members amid a busy lunch rush to knowing a regular’s order as soon as they walk in the door, Elizabeth’s time at McDonald’s helped her realize her calling to better the lives of those around her. And while she may have traded in her spatula for a scalpel, the people-first mindset and Elizabeth developed at her local restaurant remains integral to how she operates on the job.

Thank you, Elizabeth, for being part of the 1-in-8 Americans who make our Arches so golden.

Kendall Hurns: Creative Entrepreneur, Former Crew & 1 in 8 Member

Designer, entrepreneur, and artist are just a few of Kendall Hurns' many titles. But perhaps the most relatable: former McDonald's Crew. What started as a part-time restaurant job evolved into a life-long membership, making Kendall Hurns a part of the 1 in 8.

Joy Frank-Silmon: McDonald’s Owner-Operator, Former Crew & 1 in 8 Member

When Joy Frank-Silmon started working at her father’s McDonald’s restaurant, she figured it was just another high school job. But twenty years later she returned to the Golden Arches – this time to take over the family business as an owner-operator.

Yenis Blanco: Student, Current Training Manager & 1 in 8 Member

After arriving in the U.S. from Central America, Yenis Blanco knew little English when she began working as a crew member. Now, she's a college student studying business through Archways to Opportunity and oversees the training programs at 15 McDonald's restaurants.

Are You Part of the 1 in 8?

We want to hear from you, the Crew, who make up the 1 in 8. Tell us how McDonald's played a role in your journey.

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Important Note:

McDonald's and McDonald's independently owned and operated franchisees are equal opportunity employers committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce.

Most McDonald's restaurants are operated by independent franchisees who are independent employers, and set their own employment policies and practices, including pay and benefits for the people working in their restaurants. McDonald's USA does not control the independent franchisees' employment policies and practices and does not employ those working at franchised restaurants.