Roxanne Rolando spoke to two students studying food sciences to find out a little bit more about what they think of their degrees and the in-service training programmes they participate in and whether they feel they will be prepared for the food industry.
Prelen Moodley has completed his BSc Food Science Honours degree and is currently doing his MSc Food Science at the University of Pretoria.
R: When you have completed your degree what are your dreams and aspirations?
P: I want to get as much exposure to the food industry as possible and hopefully be able to start a consultancy firm in the food sector.
R: Do you feel that university and your degree will have prepared you for the rigours of the ‘real world’?
P: I feel that some aspects of studying at university may help prepare students in the ‘real world’, such as providing opportunities to attend world-class conferences and so forth. There are also many opportunities to do work such as being a tutor or a ‘demi’ in pracs. This may help to give some work experience. But I feel there will be a big transition from student life to working life and this we may not be prepared for.
R: Do you feel that your in-service training prepared you for the ‘real’ working world?
P: Studying as a food scientist does not involve in-service training.
R: Do you think it will be challenging looking for work? Why?
P: I think it will be challenging to find a job. There have been many students that who struggled to find a job, and with today’s economic recessions and competition to find work, it might be even more challenging. The listings for food science jobs are also minimal in most recruitment agencies and advertised posts. And furthermore, from experience, I’ve found that a lot of companies would rather hire a student studying food technology at a technicon than a food science student. The one main reason for this is that it will cost more to hire a food science student.
R: Do you think you will find a career that will provide you with job satisfaction?
P: I think my initial job(s) may not prove to be satisfying, but once I have accumulated the experience that I need, I do believe I will find a job that will be satisfying.
R: What suggestions do you have for lecturers that taught you whilst at university?
P: If a lecturer can relate the theory to practical application, I find that it is more beneficial. For example, where theory is accompanied by certain experiments it can be beneficial to see where all the details fall into place. This also helps to better understand all the core principals and can help better prepare students for some parts ‘real world’ situations as well.
R: What advice would you give a young student studying the same degree as yourself?
P: I would tell students that in the world today, there is a need for new and young minds in the food-science field. Students should have a passion for science. This helps as studying becomes a more happy and beneficial task as opposed being tiresome. Staying up-to-date with current trends in the food sector can be beneficial. And attending a lot of conferences and interacting with delegates while making new contacts and so forth is also a good idea and very beneficial. Food science also involves presenting seminars and thus by attending these conferences and having interaction with new people, it will boosts confidence and this helps with aspects of seminar presentations.
Alexandra Sly has a BSc Nutrition and Food Science Honours degree and is currently studying for her MSc Nutrition at the University of Pretoria.
R: When you have completed your degree, what are your dreams and aspirations?
A: To take a gap year and do some travelling and then, hopefully, find a good job in an area that is of interest to me.
R: Do you feel that university and your degree will have prepared you for the rigours of the ‘real world’?
A: I don’t think anything can prepare you for that. I think entering the unknown is always daunting as you have to expect the unexpected. University life can only prepare you for so much.
R: Do you feel that your in-service training prepared you for the ‘real working world’?
A: I’m not too sure. To a certain degree, yes, it does prepare you. However, real life situations are very unpredictable and you are sure to come across situations which you are untrained for.
R: Do you think it will be challenging looking for work? Why?
A: Yes, I believe that the food industry is a competitive industry to enter.
R: Do you think you will find a career that will provide you with job satisfaction?
A: I hope so. You have to enjoy what you do; otherwise it is not worth doing.
R: What suggestions do you have for lecturers who taught you whilst at university? Do you have any suggestions for the in-service training that you did?
A: None
R: What advice would you give a young student studying the same degree as yourself?
A: Enjoy your time as a student and pay attention to any advice given. You might not use it immediately but, inevitably, you will use it.
