What did you earn your undergraduate degree in and from where?
Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, graduating class of 2017

What company do you currently work for and what is your role?
I work as a Food Scientist for a company called Gehl Food and Beverage in Germantown, Wisconsin.  

What are some of your favorite responsibilities in your current role?
I love leading new product innovation on our private label nutritional beverage team. Working on the bench to create new concepts that are both delicious and fit into growing market segments really allows for creativity and provides a great deal of value to the business.

 What other professional experiences have you had and what did you learn from those experiences?
I worked at a large, multinational corporation called McCain Foods in Appleton, Wisconsin for about 3 years. Going from a 20,000 employee company to a much smaller, private equity company has really shown me a broad range of differences in chain of command, resource allocation, budget considerations and overall company strategy. There are pros and cons of each type of company, but I think having experience in both for reference is valuable.

What is your favorite hobby and why does that hobby bring you joy?
My favorite hobby is sports analytics/sports gambling. I am a very left-brained, math and science oriented thinker and a huge sports fan. Using statistical data to create a predictive model and finding ways to make a little money while watching sports is very enjoyable for me. College basketball is my favorite sport, so I definitely stay busy in the winter trying to keep up with all 358 teams!

What drew you to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Master of Science in Food Science Program that is delivered online?
I didn't know about the Food Science major when I started my undergraduate studies. I knew I wanted to work in the food industry and got a degree in Chemistry. The online MS program has allowed me to continue working full time while rounding my background in Food Science. I've learned a lot through this program that is both applicable to my current role and will help me grow into future roles down the road.

How has the program assisted you in achieving your professional goals?
The program has allowed me to earn an advanced degree without having to pause my professional development for multiple years. I have also networked with numerous current and former students of this program. Making connections in the food industry is key to building relationships and partnerships that allow businesses to thrive.

What is one piece of advice that you could give to prospective or current students to help them succeed in the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Master of Science in Food Science Program that is delivered online?
Take your time. The program is designed to allow people to work full time, earn an advanced degree AND maintain a social life with plenty of free time. Some students can handle two classes per semester, but it is very manageable to take one class and spend 3-6 hours per week on coursework. The program still does fly by really quickly!