What did you earn your undergraduate degree in and from where?
Food Science and Human Nutrition (concentration in Food Science, minor in Chemistry), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 2009

What company do you currently work for and what is your role?
Aspire Bakeries - Food Safety and Quality Assurance Manager   

What are some of your favorite responsibilities in your current role?
Ensuring that the customer receives a high-quality, safe product each and every time.

What other professional experiences have you had and what did you learn from those experiences?
12+ years in Food Safety and Quality at Hormel, General Mills, Mars, etc. While I have spent my entire career so far working in Food Safety and Quality, working at different companies has allowed me to learn a variety of different products and manufacturing processes.

What drew you to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Master of Science in Food Science Program that is delivered online?
I like having the flexibility to complete my master's degree while working full-time.

What is your favorite hobby and why does that hobby bring you joy?
Roadtripping with my sister. We have taken several cross-country road trips, including Las Vegas, Orlando, and New York City. It's a great way to see the country that you don't get to see on an airplane.

How has the program assisted you in achieving your professional goals?
I secured my first (and second) manager-level positions during my time in the program. Having a master's degree will help me when I am ready to apply to positions at the director level (and above).

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?
Don't be too hard on yourself and don't be afraid to take a break and relax when you need to. It is a lot of work balancing full-time work with school and other responsibilities, so it's important to let yourself rest when you need to so that you don't get burnt out.